Prospect Review: Michael Brantley
John Sickels reviews Brantley's rise through the minors and how Sickels graded him at each level.
4 months ago
hans
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Michael Brantley is my favorite prospect we have acquired in the past 4 years. His approach at the plate and composure at such a young age makes me think he could turn into something really special down the road.
by Toxicadam on Sep 16, 2009 12:47 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
“Special” is the operative word. His profile is so unique, it’s easy to get caught up imagining he’ll turn into a freak of some highly productive stripe.
Sickels’ review is kind of funny. One year, it’s like, “I really liked this guy as a prospect, but I gave him a C+.” And then the next year, basically the same thing. Next year, same. Yeah, I get it, John — you like him, C+.
by Jay on Sep 16, 2009 1:40 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The editors hated the article but I went with my gut. I give it a C+.
by gte619n on Sep 16, 2009 9:10 AM EDT reply actions 2 recs
One of the commenters called him another Ben Francisco. Methinks he didn’t look at either Francisco’s or Brantley’s minor-league stats.
by Ryan on Sep 16, 2009 9:54 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
You mean two black guys that play left field aren’t the same player?
by Roger Dorn on Sep 16, 2009 10:10 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
although their high level of natural athleticism is similar, no, they are not.
If you don't respect Aaron Laffey, I will fight you.
by Cap'n Snegiryov on Sep 16, 2009 10:15 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I bet people who would say something that stupid probably think Ben Francisco is from San Pedro de Macorís.
by FredOx on Sep 16, 2009 10:16 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
i like this kid. he is calm up at the plate. reminds me somewhat of denard span. plays older than he is. mainly a corner outfielder but can play center if need be. has more speed though for sure. contact hitter. sees pitches
by johnf34 on Sep 16, 2009 11:25 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Brantley is certainly a fascinating guy but where do you guys envision him playing in the future?
by Joe. on Sep 16, 2009 11:58 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I don’t know, I could see him in Columbus next year.
by Roger Dorn on Sep 16, 2009 12:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
so, what’s your actual question? is it about fitting whatever shape bat peg you think he is into a particular shaped fielding hole ? is it about projecting what players in the system will end up where and how he fits in the grand scheme?
by Brick. on Sep 16, 2009 1:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
i think he’s simply asking whether laporta can play defense well enough to stay in the outfield. not an unreasonable question.
If you don't respect Aaron Laffey, I will fight you.
by Cap'n Snegiryov on Sep 16, 2009 4:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
He’s an OF. Our OF of the future is set. I am wondering where (as in what position, thought this was obvious) this dude is going to play.
by Joe. on Sep 16, 2009 2:58 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
If Grady is healthy, he will be the CF for the foreseeable future.
If Brantley can hit, he’ll play LF, where range matters more than arm, just as Choo will play RF for the opposite reason.
by Jay on Sep 16, 2009 3:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
But if LaPorta can play LF, why remove him from there? I don’t see Brantley OPSing higher than some scrap heap 1b next year. This is assuming the best case scenario has happened with the team trading Peralta and putting Marte back where he belongs. There just really isn’t a place for Brantley to play at the moment.
by Joe. on Sep 16, 2009 3:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
He may not OPS higher than a scrap heap 1B, but he will provide impact speed an a significant defensive upgrade in LF.
Plus, its not like we’ve found scrap heap 1B/LFs worth a darn the last few years. Though we have developed some.
by Ryan Kelsey on Sep 16, 2009 7:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Good answer.
Brantley plays LF. I’m not sure whether it’s 2010 or 2011, but if he pans out, that’s where he belongs.
by Jay on Sep 16, 2009 9:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
we seem to really be taking for granted the notion that our starting CF will immediately and fully recover from multiple surgeries.
by emil minty on Sep 16, 2009 11:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Surgery is surgery, sure, but Grady was performing near his peak even while playing with the conditions the surgeries addressed.
by Jay on Sep 16, 2009 11:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I feel like some of us aren’t reading this.
READ THIS
Here Lies the Victor Martinez Era:
Sept. 10, 2002 - July 31, 2009
by USSChoo on Sep 16, 2009 11:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
RngR:
2007: 5.9
2008: 5.5
2009: -2.0
SB%
2007: 77 %
2008: 88%
2009: 61%
baBIP,,,yadda yadda yadda,
His value takes a hit when he can’t run, pretty much every other part of his game experienced little to no regression caused by the injuries (iso was low, but not lower than 2007), but his loss in speed weekend his defense range in the premium outfield position in regards to range and impacted his baBIP and led him to be a negative value on the basepaths in regards to attempting steals and according to BP’s baserunning statistic his EQBRR was -1.37889, only Luis Valbuena and Johnny Peralta had a worse run score on the team . I think its an underestimation to say he was performing near his peak this season while ignoring the impact the groin problem had on his ability to field his position, get on base, and run the bases.
The arm issue wasn’t that big of a deal other than possibly sapping some of his power, on that injury I would agree that complications further wouldn’t cause me great panic.
by hans on Sep 17, 2009 6:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
loss in speed weekend
Meant to say, “loss in speed weakend…”
by hans on Sep 17, 2009 6:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I was referring specifically to the time after he came off the DL. Obviously his numbers were well down before that — you wouldn’t need to go any further than OPS to see it.
by Jay on Sep 17, 2009 8:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
He was never able to make up for the loss in speed though..
by hans on Sep 18, 2009 1:43 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don’t think that is the primary worry. And besides, it wasn’t like he grew Garko legs.
Here Lies the Victor Martinez Era:
Sept. 10, 2002 - July 31, 2009
by USSChoo on Sep 18, 2009 4:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Garko didn’t have to play center field (although I guess he did have to play LF/RF but Wedge is an idiot). And as my post shows above, take away grady’s speed and that impacts almost every facet of his game.
by hans on Sep 20, 2009 10:38 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Doesn’t really affect his hitting much. Could cut some of his triples to doubles, but that’s no big deal.
by Jay on Sep 20, 2009 4:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
yeah, his hitting is the area that wouldn’t be effected that much, lower baBIP, fewer XBH, but in general still making quality contact.
by hans on Sep 20, 2009 8:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The effect on his BAbip should be minimal. It’s not like he puts a lot of balls on the ground just to leg them out.
by Jay on Sep 20, 2009 10:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’ll give you that, so we assume only slightly worse OBP.
by hans on Sep 21, 2009 3:06 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
IF it even happens, it’ll be 2011.
If you say so.
I don’t think there’s a real issue here, if he develops and hits, they’ll make run for him. It seems like a common fan trait to worry about having too many starting-quality players, but it rarely develops, and it’s not exactly the worst problem to have. I do think it’s reasonable to think that Brantley will be a plus-defender in left. So IF everyone develops, yeah, LaPorta probably moves.
Here’s my question: are we going to see Brantley up fairly quickly in 2010? Everyone says Brantley isn’t ready, that’s fine. But assuming we fall out of it early, is the best way to develop him to stick him in the majors and let him grow there?
You never like to make judgments on a couple of weeks, but perhaps his current stint suggests that he wouldn’t be a train wreck at the end of the lineup. He’s not striking out a ton, and is slashing the ball. So why not let him develop in Cleveland, rather than Columbus?
by dgcambridge on Sep 17, 2009 11:38 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
We already have too many starting quality first basemen, Buster.
by afh4 on Sep 17, 2009 11:56 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Here’s how little I care about Jordan Brown. I had to look up the Aeros roster to confirm that that was Jordan Brown. Jordan Brown is what Jordan Brown is, which is nothing that I care about.
I have now met my quota for references to Jordan Brown for the month.
by FredOx on Sep 17, 2009 12:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Until I scrolled down, i thought this was Beau Mills. Jordan Brown, you don’t matter.
by fwembt on Sep 17, 2009 10:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Does Beau Mills?
Everybody should get ice cream every day.
by junkballer on Sep 18, 2009 1:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Am calling it now, if Brantley and LaPorta both can stick as OFs, Choo is placed on the trading block for a quality SP in 2011.
by talonk on Sep 17, 2009 11:55 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Flag. Fail. SYSTEM ERROR. Banned. No.
by dgcambridge on Sep 17, 2009 2:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well, you tell me then, who gets dealt. Let us assume that Grady, Choo, Brantley, and LaPorta all pan out (not guaranteed by the way). If LaPorta isn’t moved to 1B, one of them has to be moved in some way, shape, or form.
Grady, more than likely he gets extended by the FO. But I could see him getting dealt as a last resort. Both Brantley and LaPorta will be cheap in 2011. So maybe we could get a better pitching guy since they’d both still be young. But as a cost conscious team, Choo would be in the midst of his arbitration years. Unless they extend him, he is the most tradeable asset.
I do not want to deal Choo myself, but I believe he becomes the best candidate if all 4 pan out. Besides, our rotation isn’t looking too keen for 2011, now does it?
by talonk on Sep 17, 2009 2:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
this becomes silly at “If LaPorta isn’t moved to 1B”.
by Brick. on Sep 17, 2009 2:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That is a likely option yes. But it is not a given they will move LaPorta to 1B at all. A lot of that will depend on the Jhonny/Marte, Wegz/Chizz development in the next 1+ years.
by talonk on Sep 17, 2009 2:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
My reaction above was nothing more than being a Choo fan. We certainly may trade him at some point, though it’s too far to predict accurately now.
by dgcambridge on Sep 17, 2009 3:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The other option of course, would be have Brantley in LF and LaPorta in 1B, and then when we inevitably have to deal Grady, insert Bratley in CF and move LaPorta back to LF.
by Joe. on Sep 17, 2009 2:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
There are a lot of different ways this could play out. The bottom line is that we don’t really have a logjam until Brantley establishes a track record and Weglarz or someone else emerges as a strong option at 1B. And even if both of those things happen, we probably just juggle for a year until we resolve Grady’s contract situation.
by Jay on Sep 17, 2009 2:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Or we could just trade Brantley, who would be more valuable to some other team as a CF than us at LF. Basically the point I’ve been trying to get at the whole time. But I get the concept of sometimes putting players in positions where they are not most valuable can actually improve the club. I guess it’s just the arm chair video game GM in me that wants every player to have his positional value maximized.
by Joe. on Sep 17, 2009 2:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
While dealing Brantley is a distinct possibility (ala Coco), I think Choo would fetch a better SP than Brantley would. That is just my opinion though.
by talonk on Sep 17, 2009 2:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
This is the kind of talk that always irritates me. And no, its not just because it is Choo. You are really talking about a perfect storm of situations. But someone has to play 1st and someone has to DH 2 days a week while Pronk is sitting, if Pronk is even still here in 2 years. We’ll revist this again when we’re so good that we’re winning the division and it doesn’t matter.
Here Lies the Victor Martinez Era:
Sept. 10, 2002 - July 31, 2009
by USSChoo on Sep 17, 2009 5:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hold on a second. Read what I wrote again. I said IF Brantley and LaPorta stick as oufielders. Now Brantley may flame out. And LaPorta “might” end up at first base.
However, in my opinion, since our SP looks pretty weak at the moment (and don’t deny this), again IF LaPorta and Brantley can stick as the regular OF around Grady, it would behoove the FO to trade Choo for a more credible SP. I like Choo (as well asa the others too) so I don’t really want them dealt. But as a Tribe fan, I know that most, if not all, will not complete their careers in Cleveland. Am just being practical.
Finally if chuck etal can make their predictions about Garko, CC, Lee … whatever … I am allowed to make my own predictions. I stand by what I wrote.
by talonk on Sep 17, 2009 5:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I know that you’re saying IF, but I’m telling you that I feel it is way too early to jump to hypothetical scenarios where you trade away one of the top offensive players on your team.
And the three players you listed as everyone talking trade on was either because we knew we probably counldn’t resign them (CC and Lee) and their names were already floated in rumors (all of them). Apples and oranges.
Here Lies the Victor Martinez Era:
Sept. 10, 2002 - July 31, 2009
by USSChoo on Sep 17, 2009 9:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Actually when I was referring to Garko, Lee etc, I was more referring to predictions that Garko would have 90 RBIs, Lee would repeat his Cy season, and (I meant to put Hafner in for CC) Hafner would OPS over 900 or less than 600.
Again, this is just my prediction as I feel we really will need the SP help and I think Choo represents out best opportunity to upgrade at SP (unless it is Grady obviously, which I doubt)
by talonk on Sep 17, 2009 10:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
They’re going to take a year and see how things develop, that’s the bottom line.
by Jay on Sep 17, 2009 11:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
You’re talking about an OF logjam in 2011 necessitating a trade in July in order to get starting pitching for 2012 and beyond. It is entirely possible that the starting pitching outlook in July 2011 will be different than it is in September 2009 even without a blockbuster trade. If we’re hypothesizing, we need to hypothesize about that, too.
by FredOx on Sep 18, 2009 9:33 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I do believe I was hypothesizing about our SP. I am not enamored with Laffey, Sowers, and Huff all having rotation slots next year. Granted only one of them may survive to see 2011, but I still have no faith in Carmona to reclaim his magic or Westbrook to come back to his pre-injury self as yet.
Which to me means, we are relying on Carassco, Masterson and Rondon all to pan out for 2011. We might be lucky to get one of those 3 to become a top 3 SP for us based on how pitching prospects turn out.
by talonk on Sep 18, 2009 10:12 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Again, if you’re talking about having to trade a position player in 2011, you need to look at pitching in 2012 and beyond, which means checking out the minors deeper than the 2009 AAA roster. Besides, we’re already making a leap of faith that Brantley, LaPorta and Weglarz all turn into viable major leaguers, so why not pitchers, too?
The pitching may look as bleak at the trade deadline two years from now as it does this year, but I’m no more convinced of that than I am that we’ll have too many outfielders. A team with 85 losses on September 18 rarely needs to get ulcers worrying about having too much of anything.
by FredOx on Sep 18, 2009 10:45 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hagadone and Gomez, in particular, are going to be seen in Cleveland by the end of 2011, if they pan out at all.
by Jay on Sep 18, 2009 12:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
One variable I think that gets lost here is marketing. Choo has become a star amongst regular Indian fans and he is a full blown superstar in Korea. For a team rebuilding, small or large, it needs faces that people recognize to spark fan interest at the box office and in merchandising. I feel it is fair to say that Choo has become one of those faces and with the money that Dolan is supposedly losing hand over fist, I’m sure he’s aware that having Choo is probably worth additional revenue brought in from the local fanbase as well as Korean and Korean-American demographics. It might not be Yao Ming in China sort of market, but I think it is probably substantial enough to warrant more than a passing glance.
Here Lies the Victor Martinez Era:
Sept. 10, 2002 - July 31, 2009
by USSChoo on Sep 18, 2009 5:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’m wondering if they’ve got a TV deal in Korea yet. The Mariners have done very well in Japan, as I understand it.
by Jay on Sep 18, 2009 11:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’m personally interested in Brantley getting some reps at first again, just to irritate everybody.
by fleerdon on Sep 17, 2009 9:41 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I am only behind this if Wedge is not the manager, for obvious reasons.
Here Lies the Victor Martinez Era:
Sept. 10, 2002 - July 31, 2009
by USSChoo on Sep 18, 2009 12:08 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I find Sickels’ discussions of Tribe prospects frustrating. Being based out of Kansas, I don’t think he ever sees any Indians play….ever. His evaluations of them seem almost always to reflect opinions of them based on how they performed in college, when he did see many of them play, or a mish-mash of conventional scouting logic and superficial glances at their numbers. I’ll be interested to see if that changes next year when Lake County moves to the Midwest League, putting them more in his viewing area. I like the guy, I just don’t think he has anything to add about the Tribe.
by APV on Sep 24, 2009 5:38 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
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