May 4 Game Notes: Iowa Cubs at Columbus Clippers

May 4, 2023 – International League (IL) – Iowa Cubs News Release

IOWA CUBS (16-9) @ COLUMBUS CLIPPERS (13-14)

Thursday – 5:15 PM CT – Huntington Park – Columbus, OH

RHP Ben Brown (0-0, -.–) vs. RHP Gavin Williams (1-0, 0.00)

TONIGHT’S GAME: The Iowa Cubs and Columbus Clippers are set to play game two of their six-game series tonight. Ben Brown will make his Triple-A debut on the bump tonight for the I-Cubs. After starting the season with Double-A Tennessee, Brown enters tonight with a 2-0 record and an impressive 0.45 ERA in four starts. He’s totaled 30 strikeouts and just six walks in his 20.0 innings. Brown has not suffered a loss in his last 15 outings dating back to June 25, 2022, and looks to earn his first Triple-A win tonight. Gavin Williams earns the starting nod for Columbus. Like Brown, Williams started the season at Double-A. He earned his promotion April 27 where he made his first Triple-A start and earned his first win. He tossed 5.1 innings, struck out six and allowed no runs on three hits. In four starts combined this year, Williams holds a 0.46 ERA with 26 punchouts and six walks.

YOUNG GUNS: Tonight’s starting pitching matchup includes a Top-10 prospect from each organization. For the I-Cubs, Ben Brown ranks as Chicago’s No. 7 prospect and for the Clippers, Gavin Williams is Cleveland’s No. 2 prospect. As each player is just 23 years old, tonight could be the first of many games with these two facing off. Brown was selected in the 33rd round of the 2017 draft out of high school by the Philadelphia Phillies. He played four seasons in their minor league system before being traded to Chicago on Aug. 2, 2022. Brown has appeared in just 11 games as a member of the Cubs’ system. Williams was also selected out of high school in the 30th round of the 2017 draft by the Tampa Bay Rays. He instead opted to attend East Carolina where he pitched for four seasons. In 2021, he was selected as the 23rd overall pick by the Cleveland Indians. 2023 is Williams’ second season playing in the minors. The similarities between these two pitchers don’t end in their age, prospect status and draft picks. Both hurlers stand at six-feet, six-inches tall and their 2023 ERA’s are almost identical. Brown’s ERA holds at 0.45 and Williams’ is 0.46. Tonight is a must-watch game with these two on the mound.

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