Drew to Payolahs

The Benedicts traded disappointing Diamondback shortstop Stephen Drew to the Payolas today for Phillie outfield prospect Dominic Brown.

Drew, 26, hit .291-21-67 with a .502 slugging percentage last year and emerged as one of baseball's most promising young shortstops. The Benedicts fortunately declined to extend Drew, but nonetheless expected Drew to improve further this year. Instead, Drew struggled from the outset, hitting a weak .205 in his first 44 at bats before landing on the disabled list with a strained hamstring. Drew has rebounded upon his return, hitting .354 so far in June, but this is too little and too late to salvage the Benedict train wreck season.

Dominic Brown, 21, is a rising star in the Philadelphia system. He is a toolsy outfielder who is enjoying a fantastic season at Class A, hitting .299-9-38-14 in 57 games. Brown is in the FLS top three in home runs, RBIs, slugging percentage (.540) and OPS (.919). Brown declined a football scholarship at the University of Miami to sign with the Phillies in 2006 after the Phillies drafted him in the 20th round in 2006. Baseball America tapped Brown as Philadelphia's No. 1 prospect entering the 2009 season -- Brown joins fellow No. 1 prospects Colby Rasmus, Jarrod Parker and Dexter Fowler on the Benedict roster. Brown is an exciting prospect to watch and the Benedicts are thrilled to have him on board for 2010.