Going into spring training, Zack Brown wasn’t sure where he would be pitching for the Milwaukee Brewers organization.

In 2017, Brown played for the Class A Wisconsin Timber Rattlers before getting promoted to the A-Advanced Carolina Mudcats.

Back in April, when it was announced that Brown got the promotion to the 25-man roster for the Double-A Biloxi Shuckers, he grew excited for the new opportunity.

“When I found out I would be heading to Biloxi, I was very excited,” the 23-year-old said. “The move here (to Mississippi) was easy, and it has been a wonderful summer so far. Pitching at MGM Park is great. We have a great facility with a top-of-the-line fields crew. There is usually a pretty good sized crowd at most games, which always makes the game more fun as a player.”

Brown, who was drafted in the fifth round of the MLB draft in 2016 with the 141st pick, has flourished in Biloxi.

Last year, with the Mudcats, Brown went 3-0 in four appearances (all starts) and pitched 25 innings total. Playing for Carolina, he gave up 24 hits, six runs (all earned) and two walks while tossing 23 strikeouts. He had a 2.16 ERA while limiting opposing batters to an average of .250.

With the Timber Rattlers, Brown went 4-5 in 18 mound appearances (13 starts). Across the two teams, he finished with 107 strikeouts, 102 hits, 38 earned runs (3.11 ERA) and an opposing average of .249 in 110 innings of work.

Last summer, Brown split his time between a few different places, including Seymour, and was always working out and spending time with family and friends.

“I always found a place to workout wherever I was, and I am grateful to those people to open their doors for me, allowing me to prepare for the season ahead,” Brown said. “Whether it was lifting weights, conditioning or doing my throwing program, those resources were always available.”

Thus far into the season in Biloxi, the former University of Kentucky ace has a record of 8-0. He has started 16 games and played in 17.

In 102 innings of work, Brown has tossed 99 strikeouts while also recording 77 hits, 28 earned runs and 26 walks. His WHIP is 1.01 while holding opposing batters to an average of .208 with an ERA of 2.47.

“A lot of different things have worked for me this season,” Brown said. “My command has improved, and I have been able to throw more quality strikes with multiple pitches. Comparing the two years, I would credit the success to figuring out who I am as a pitcher and attacking each day with what I know how to do. This group of guys has been great to be around. A lot of talented individuals that know how to play the game.”

He said the mental side for a baseball player is the most important because of all of the failure in the game.

“I feel as if I have grown immensely this year by not allowing things to escalate in tough situations,” Brown said. “I battled myself last year in tough innings, which probably caused extra failure, but this year, I’ve allowed myself to get through those obstacles. I can’t pinpoint a certain moment when things clicked. I think I just settled into the new environment and pitched to my strengths more consistently.”

Brown’s first half of the season went so well that he was selected to the Southern League South Division Al-Star team — his first professional All-Star selection.

“It was an honor to be named an All-Star and to enjoy that experience with (eight other) teammates,” Brown said. “Being surrounded by a group of guys that approach every day with the same goal in mind creates a successful and enjoyable environment.”

The game was at Regions Field in Birmingham, Alabama, and a crew of Seymour family and friends attended.

Seymour High School baseball head coach Jeremy Richey has made multiple trips to see Brown play, and as many as 21 fans have come down from Jackson County at once to see him play.

“It has been awesome having several different groups come to support me throughout the season,” Brown said. “It’s always great to see familiar faces in the crowd and catch up with them before and after games. It means the world to know people support me while I pursue a dream.”

While some speculate that a promotion to the Triple-A Colorado Springs Sky Sox is on the table, Brown is keeping his sights on the task at hand.

“I haven’t heard anything along those lines (of a promotion),” Brown said. “It’s all out of my hands. The way I see it is to control what I can control and stay focused on my performance.”

For Brown, staying consistent and level-headed will help keep his name in the conversation of promotion.

“With a little over two months left, I’m most looking forward to continuing doing what I’m doing,” Brown said. “The hardest thing to do in this game is to be consistent, and to extend success over a full season is something I am striving for.”

Biloxi, which recently secured a postseason berth in the Southern League playoff, will play through September before the offseason commences.

“The plan for when the season ends is still unknown,” Brown said. “I am going to try to finish my last semester of school at UK, but it’s tough to tell at this point since our season’s schedule and school’s schedule overlap.”