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OF Michael Brantley: Back in lineup
by Chuck Murr of IndiansInk.net, August 23, 2009 at 10:42am ET

Michael Brantley Profile

Michael Brantley returned to the Columbus Clippers lineup on Saturday after missing eight games with a foot injury.

Brantley (.258) went 0-for-3 with a walk in a 16-2 loss to Toledo.

The 22-year-old outfielder has had a solid if unspectacular first season in Triple-A ball. An adept fielder who has made only two errors in 107 games in the outfield, mostly in center, he also has gone 39-for-44 in stolen base attempts.

That makes the son of former big-league outfielder Mickey Brantley 142-for-166 in steal attempts since being drafted by Milwaukee in the seventh round in 2005.

After hitting .311 with 199 walks as opposed to 142 strikeouts in 383 games in the Brewers' minor-league system, Brantley was sent to the Indians last October as the player to be named in the blockbuster deal that brought four players to Cleveland for ace pitcher CC Sabathia in July 2008.

Brantley has continued to display good plate discipline, drawing 54 walks to 44 strikeouts. He has scored a team-high 75 runs, driven in 32, and hit a career-high five homers, just one off his career total entering the season.

Brantley is still young. He may need another half season or so at Triple-A, but he has true leadoff skills and probably plays a better center field than Indians gold glover Grady Sizemore. Brantley's eventual presence in Cleveland should move Sizemore to left, where the stress on the all-star's cranky left elbow would be lessened on throws. Brantley's patient eye and good speed would be welcome atop the order, too, allowing Sizemore to move down into the lineup in more of run-producing capacity.


  Michael Brantley Photos (4)... Columbus (OH) Roster  
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Michael Brantley Scout.com Headlines:
Two Prospects Make MLB Debuts
Carrasco and Brantley play against Tigers
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Indians Call Up Three From Columbus
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OF Michael Brantley: Three more steals
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OF Michael Brantley: Homers in win
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OF Michael Brantley: 3 hits, 3 RBI
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OF Michael Brantley: Back in lineup
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OF Michael Brantley: Speed thrills
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OF Michael Brantley: Man on the run
-by IndiansInk.net Jun 28, 2009
OF Michael Brantley: Four hits in 12-0 win
-by IndiansInk.net Jun 6, 2009
OF Michael Brantley: Adds power to speed
-by IndiansInk.net May 29, 2009
1-1011 >>

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Michael Brantley
Ht: 6-2 Wt: 180
Position: OF, 1B

Bats: L
Throws: L
Date of Birth: 05/15/1987
Birthplace: Bellevue,  WA
Experience: Prospect


Biography:
Drafted by Brewers in seventh round, 2005; traded to Indians, 10-3-08 to complete 7-7-08 deal that sent LHP CC Sabathia to Milwaukee and OF-1B Matt LaPorta, LHP Zach Jackson and RHP Rob Bryson to Cleveland. ... son of former MLB outfielder Mickey Brantley.

2008 & MINOR-LEAGUE CAREER

Team G AB H AVG HR RBI SB BB SO
Huntsville 106 420 134 .319 4 40 28 50 27
Minor Totals 383 1392 433 .311 6 157 104 199 142