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Outfielder is player to be named in Sabathia trade, lauded for athleticism, speed and plate discipline
By Sheldon Ocker
Beacon Journal sports writer
Published on Saturday, Oct 04, 2008
Michael Brantley is young, runs fast and apparently has a rare ability to tell the difference between a ball and a strike when he is standing in the batter's box.
The Indians completed the July 7 C.C. Sabathia trade by acquiring Brantley from the Milwaukee Brewers as the player to be named. Because the Brewers made the playoffs — that is, Sabathia made a positive impact to that goal — Indians General Manager Mark Shapiro was entitled to pick which of the two players whom the Tribe had earmarked in the deal. The other is believed to be Class-A third baseman Taylor Green.
Brantley was a preseason and postseason Southern League All-Star for Double-A Huntsville. Mostly appearing as the leadoff batter, he batted .319 with a .395 on-base percentage, 28 steals (36 tries) and an incredible ratio of one strikeout per 17.7 plate appearances, the second best figure in all of minor-league baseball.
''We like his discipline, his speed and his athleticism,'' Shapiro said Friday. ''He has an elite level of plate discipline.''
Brantley is only 21, relatively young for a player in Double-A.
''He's at an advanced level for his age,'' Shapiro said. ''That leads us to hope he can make the big leagues at a young age.''
Part of Brantley's baseball sophistication might be a result of his family tree. His father, Mickey, played for the Seattle Mariners from 1986-89.
Brantley hit only four home runs and had 40 RBI, which might make him suspect as a slap hitter rather than someone who drives the ball. But Shapiro denies that, saying, ''He's an athletic, strong guy. A gap hitter, not a little guy. So he might end up showing some power.''
That said, because of his speed and his strike zone judgment, Brantley is a prospective leadoff hitter.
He played 62 games in center field, 21 in left and 21 at first base for Huntsville. But Shapiro said he would concentrate on playing left or center, probably starting the season at Columbus, the Tribe's new Triple-A affiliate.
''He still needs to solidify his development on defense,'' Shapiro said. ''Maybe he could use some help on his jumps and routes.''
Brantley does not have to take up room on the 40-man roster, but he will start spring training in big-league camp. The Indians will try to find a spot for him in the Arizona Fall League, but that might be difficult, inasmuch as the Tribe has filled its allotted number of roster spots.
In addition to Brantley, Shapiro received outfielder Matt LaPorta, left-hander Zach Jackson and right-hander Rob Bryson in exchange for Sabathia.
Sheldon Ocker can be reached at socker@thebeaconjournal.com.
Michael Brantley is young, runs fast and apparently has a rare ability to tell the difference between a ball and a strike when he is standing in the batter's box.
Get the full article here.
Comments
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Naples, FL
Posted 06:54 AM, 10/04/2008
If I recall, Grady Sizemore was not considered to have much power when the Tribe received him from the Expos in the Colon deal.
Tallmadge, OH
Posted 07:42 AM, 10/04/2008
Brantley will sure help them win a WS championship in 2009. I don't think so. The Indians are doomed to failure until the cheapskate Dolans sell the team soneday.
Tallmadge, OH
Posted 09:20 AM, 10/04/2008
I suspect "OlderThenDirt" is our old friend Old Man Grump. Same philosophy, same lack of anything useful to say. BTW, it should be "Older THAN Dirt." Now he's stuck with a handle that flaunts his ignorance, not that we weren't all aware of it anyway.
Farragut, TN
Posted 10:34 AM, 10/04/2008
I don't follow minor league statistics, so I don't know how Taylor Green played this season. But, if it was even remotely close to Brantley's performance, he should have been the choice---mainly because he plays third base. We really don't need another outfielder, no matter how talented he might seem to be. Third base is a position that is a black hole for the Indians. They needed help their yesterday. I guess Mark Shapiro just wants one more "great" season out of the fabulous Andy Marte.
Posted 05:55 PM, 10/04/2008
Green was only in single A, so it would have took awhile for him to play 3B in the majors.
