The Decade’s Best: No. 31 Bob Brownlie

Bob Brownlie
Falmouth 2000
Pitcher
Rutgers

Bob Brownlie is one of many Cape League pitchers who put up incredible numbers in the early part of the decade, the kind of numbers that haven’t been seen in recent years.

Brownlie stands out because he did it with just one year of college under his belt.

He came to Rutgers as a highly-touted pitcher, having been drafted in the 26th round after his senior year of high school. He might have gone higher if he hadn’t made it clear that he wanted to play in college. At Rutgers, he was an instant star, going 9-1 and earning Big East Freshman of the Year honors in his first season. His coach at Rutgers, Fred Hill, told the New York Times, “We expected him to be good, but I don’t think anybody expected him to be this good. His composure and mound presence are what separates him from other freshmen.”

On the Cape, he continued to separate himself.

He made his first start on the season’s first day and pitched seven innings of three-hit ball. He struck out 12, walked two and didn’t allow an earned run.

The rest of the summer, Brownlie delivered more of the same, and he made a huge splash in late July, when Team USA came to Chatham to play a team of Cape League all-stars. In one inning, Brownlie struck out two, including an all-everything first baseman named Mark Teixeira.

Brownlie finished the regular season with a 4-2 record, a 2.01 ERA and a league-best 73 strikeouts in 62.2 innings.

He won the award as the league’s top pro prospect, one of the few freshmen to claim that title.

After the Cape

Brownlie pitched for Team USA after his sophomore season then was picked 21st overall by the Cubs in the 2002 draft. He has bounced around the minors since then, splitting the 2009 season between an independent-league team and the Braves’ Triple A affiliate.

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