Like most, I paid zero attention to the Indians games this weekend – I actually completely forgot about them until reading TD’s recap earlier this morning. And this is coming from a guy who wrote the preview about the very same set of games only 72 hours earlier. Given the time of year, I find myself searching for reasons to watch an Indians game. And while I know that I should temper my expectations, Michael Brantley may just be that very reason.
Per Anthony Castrovince, check out the company that Brantley is now apart of given his performance over the last 10 games.
He’s reached base safely in all 10 games and hit safely in nine of them. Last night, he had a four-hit game against the Royals, becoming the first Tribe player to have a four-hit effort in his first 10 games since… brace yourself… the immortal Andy Allanson. Rocky Colavito achieved the feat in his fourth game, so Brantley is a little behind, in that regard.
According to the Elias Sports Bureau, only one other Tribe player in history has had a four-hit game at a younger age (22 years, 120 days old). That was Carlos Baerga, who recorded four hits against the Yankees on Sept. 20, 1990, at the age of 21 years, 320 days old.
I mentioned the small sample size last week, but all this kid continues to do is get on base. He’s been the ideal lead-off man with Grady Sizemore being shut down, and the team appears to be more than sold on his skill set given the decision to give Matt LaPorta playing time at first base to gear him up for next season.
If you’re curious as to the last time Grady Sizemore (the hopefully former leadoff hitter) had a four-hit game, No. 24 went 4-for-5 on August 21st of last season. The difference being that Grady was a double shy of the cycle and drove in seven runs. Also why I can’t wait to have his bat in the middle of the lineup come next season.
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(AP Photo/Mark Duncan)
Author: Scott
Scott is a co-founder/editor of Waiting For Next Year who resides in Cleveland, Ohio. Feel free to follow him on Twitter or email him at scott@waitingfornextyear.com.Scott has written 1701 articles for Waiting for Next Year.
Like I said Scott, shame on the Indian’s organization for not bringing this kid up (and LaPorta) in this dismal season right after the all-star break. I still read comments from people saying he needs more seasoning, it’s just incredulous. “Hopefully” this kid is left in the leadoff spot for the nest ten years by the next manager.
Ugh Isis can you ever say anything positive? This is getting so lame
Isis may not be the most positive person in the room but he is kind of like the family member who finally tells you are 30 pounds overweight. You may think he is a jerk but….
The problem with the Tribe is that they need to develop kids. If you want to win Double A titles every year leave them down there. Brantley and LaPorta should have been here on July 1. Don’t even get me started on Jordan Brown. I don’t know if he will ever be a solid major league player but neither does the Tribe. You really should not win multiple MVP awards in the minors. Santana better open next year with the Tribe and let him develop.
A new manager should spark a team that is nowhere near as bad as their record looks.
Isis – I think you can rightly take Shapiro and Wedge to task for a lot of things, including not calling up Laporta earlier, but I think you’re off base with respect to Brantley. His immediate success has been a very pleasant surprise, but there was nothing in his AAA numbers that suggested he would hit so well. And, he battled injuries, making an earlier call-up potentially riskier.
That said, now that he’s had some (limited) success, he should be given a legitimate shot to claim the leadoff spot next year and everyday playing time in the OF. With Marte turning back into Marte, the team’s future seems to point to Laporta at 1b and Brantley in left.
#4 — Agree entirely, AMC. Honestly, Brantley has been a revelation to me, and may just be working himself into a starting gig in 2010. That said, it is easy to become enamored with kids after a couple of weeks in the majors. He did not hit well over the first half of ‘09, whether because of injuries or whatever. He had a decent second half of the season, but didn’t have the numbers of a “can’t miss” type. The Indians had absolutely no reason to rush him up to the majors.
I hope that Tribe fans cut the kid some slack when he struggles — and he will almost certainly struggle at some point. My hope is still somewhat tempered by the fact that it’s hard to be a major league starter without some semblance of power, particularly in LF. There will always be far more Adam Dunn types floating around than there will be Kenny Lofton types, and this is why. John Sickels seems to think that Brantley will see a home run spike as he ages; if so, then the Indians stole him from the Brewers, and even if not he still certainly has value.
But again, let’s wait and see. Stuff happens. Kids who look good in September have a way of coming back to earth. I’m not saying that this will happen, just that I’m not quite ready to anoint him as our 2010 lead-off hitter just yet.
I side with Isis on this one, if only because Grady should’ve been shut down ASAP, given his elbow woes, and Crowe did not impress in his earlier stint(s?) with the Tribe.
Sara, you must be new to the site.
It’s good to see Brantley excelling at the Major League level.
This team could have taken a lot of positives steps if after the all-star break they had admitted they weren’t going anywhere. There was no reason not to bring up AND play the kids. Ways the Tribe could have gotten better for next season…
- Shutting Sizemore down earlier and getting him healthy
- Calling up Brantley. If he was truly overwhelmed, send him back down. Then simply let Crowe play out the season in center. If he stinks, does it matter?
- Matt LaPorta, at bats, every day in left field.
- Jordan Brown, at bats, every day at 1B. I shouldn’t be flabbergasted that Niuman Romero got the call up over Brown. Romero plays all four infield positions.
- Andy Marte, utility infielder.
We were carrying Lou Marson, Wyatt Toregas, Kelly Shoppach and Chris Gimenez. None are valuable nor projected to be here in the future. Demote whoever from that lot to get the above players here.
The prospect of a healthy Sizemore batting 3rd with Brantley leading off is exciting. Unfortunately it looks like our starting rotation will be weak again next year. So that leaves another season for development at the Major League level.
I wonder what we can get for him…..
I still read comments from people saying he needs more seasoning, it’s just incredulous.
I will stand by every comment I made saying that Brantley wasn’t ready earlier in the year. I said it almost every week in my Clippers columns, and I stand by it. And, for the 37th time, Isis, I watched Brantley at least 10 times this summer in Columbus, and followed his performances each and every week of the season. He struggled to hit .265 in AAA for the ENTIRE SEASON. You’re the guy who constantly harps on any Indians prospect that doesn’t hit .300+ at any level as a “non-prospect” in an excuse to rip Shapiro, so you don’t get to skate on this one.
@#9 – you’re talking about Grady right? Just what I was thinking. We could get a nice front-line pitcher for him. Well at least a #2.
Why would you trade Sizemore?
He is a ridiculous combination of power and speed, a proven player and is still young with his best years ahead of him. why wouldy you give that up for another player wo could maybe be good someday? we have plenty of those already.
zzzzzzzzzzz
@ # 10 — pretty good position to be in, isn’t it? We’ll never know how he would have done this Spring/early summer…