The Toronto Blue Jays lost a local fan-favorite prospect in free agency.
On Friday, Baseball America’s transaction log showed the Milwaukee Brewers signed outfielder Dasan Brown to a minor-league deal. Brown is from Oakville, Ontario, around 30 minutes outside of Toronto, and has spent the last several years in the Blue Jays organization, but he elected free agency this offseason.
The Blue Jays selected Brown in the third round of the 2019 MLB Draft, after attending Abbey Park High School in Oakville. Brown inked a deal worth $800,000 to keep him away from his deal at Texas A&M.
Brown is a speedy outfielder who many in Toronto were rooting for, so another local player could play for the Blue Jays. He was the Blue Jays’ 27th-ranked prospect in 2024, according to MLB Pipeline. The highest he got on the list was 15th in 2023.
Brown spent last season in Double-A New Hampshire and Triple-A Buffalo. Between the two, he hit .174 with 4 home runs and 15 RBIs, as the bat has been an issue, as he’s more known for his defense and speed.
Brown Was Ecstatic to be Picked by Blue Jays
Entering the 2019 MLB Draft, Brown thought he would be going to Texas A&M.
Yet, his agent gave him a call to let him know the Blue Jays would be taking him in the third round, which he said was special.
“I was back home,” Brown said to The Herd Chronicle. “My dad actually let me take the day off school because our school year ended a little later in June. I was watching the TV. I got a call from my agent at 11:00. He said the Blue Jays are going to take you on day two.
“I just remember waiting and watching the TV because it wasn’t official until they made the selection. When they picked, it was just a relief knowing. My dad was home with me, and he was excited. I told my mom and my brother. I just remember being really happy that day.”
Although he still had the college offer, Brown said it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to sign and play for his hometown team in the Blue Jays.
“You hear all the stories about pro ball and how uncertain it is for a lot of high school guys,” Brown said. “My dad was on board with me getting an education — but the Blue Jays took a chance on me, and it was a once in a lifetime opportunity, so I thought it was a no doubt (decision) to end up signing.”
It was a special moment for Brown, but unfortnately, he never reached the big leagues with the Blue Jays. Instead, he will look to crack the Brewers roster in 2026.
What Brown Brings to Brewers?
Brown will look to compete for a bench role with the Brewers and be a defense and pinch-run specialist.
MLB Pipeline praised Brown’s speed as they called it elite and gave him a perfect 80-grade.
“Brown is an elite runner, period. His speed serves him well in center field, where he can get to almost any ball, but it doesn’t show up in stolen bases as often as you’d think,” the article read back in 2024.
“Brown went just 26-for-37 in stolen base attempts last season. While his speed really shines when going from first to third or home, he’s still developing as a true base stealer. If that part of his game develops, he’s a sure big leaguer based on speed and defense alone. But Brown is already close to that being the case.”
Brown does likely fit in as a solid fourth outfielder, and he will look to earn that role with the Brewers.
Blue Jays Lose Hometown Top Prospect to NL Team