H/W: 6-2 180 lb. B/T: L/L DOB: 5/15/87
The final piece of the blockbuster C.C. Sabathia trade had a solid showing at AA Huntsville hitting .319 with 4 HR 40 RBI 28 SB and 80 runs scored despite missing almost the entire month of July with a sprained ankle. Brantley is the son of former Seattle Mariners OF and Toronto Blue Jays hitting coach Mickey Brantley. While his dad was more of a slugger, Michael profiles to be a top of the lineup hitter with elite plate discipline (50 BB/27 K in '08) and a relentless line drive bat that sprays the ball from foul line to foul line. Brantley was successful in 28 of 36 SB attempts last season as Huntsville's lead off man but, regardless of his great speed, he is not a great defensive OF. In fact, the Brewers organization gave him regular work at 1B over the past three seasons. Another downside to Brantley's game is his inability to hit for power. Given his long, athletic frame and youth, there is reason to believe that he could well become a 10-15 HR hitter as he matures physically. There are plenty of upsides to this young OF's game and the fact that the Indians selected Brantley over Taylor Green as the final piece of the Sabathia trade demonstrates that they expect big things from him in the not too distant future.
2009 Projection: Indians GM Mark Shapiro has already indicated that Brantley will join the big league club for spring training but will start the regular season at AAA Columbus. The Indians would like to see Brantley develop a bit more power at the minor league level before bringing him up to the big league club. Watch the XBH numbers early in the season. If he can bump up his SLG% into the .425-.450 range, Cleveland will have a hard time keeping him down. The trade of Franklin Gutierrez to Seattle has opened the door a little bit wider for Brantley to follow in his dad's footsteps. Expect him to do so at some point in 2009.
Key Michael Brantley Baseball Cards:
- 2007 Bowman Chrome Prospects
- 2008 Bowman Chrome Prospects
 2011 Topps #274 Michael Brantley Indians $1.00 |
 Michael Brantley 2008 TRISTAR Rookie Autograph Card $0.99 |
 2010 Topps MICHAEL BRANTLEY Indians Rookie Card #270 $1.00 |
 2010 Bowman chrome autograph gold Michael Brantley /50 $59.99 |
 2008 BOWMAN STERLING BLACK REFRACTOR MICHAEL BRANTLEY /25 $25.00 |
 2007 BOWMAN CHROME - PROSPECT - MICHAEL BRANTLEY $1.50 |
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