Houston Astros outfielder Michael Brantley has had arguably the best season of his career so far. The veteran is in his 13th campaign and is making a huge impact with the Astros, who are leading the NL West this season.
Brantley was recently named to his fifth All-Star team, although he will not be participating in the game as he will use the time to rest.
The @mlb All-Star Game rosters are set. MLBbros who made the cut:
AL Starters:
2B Marcus Semien (TOR)
OF @TheJudge44 (NYY)AL Reserves
OF Michael Brantley (HOU)
OF @cedmull30 (BAL)NL Reserves
OF @mookiebetts (LAD) pic.twitter.com/wLtX8Jl1pn— MLBbro.com (@MLBbrodotcom) July 4, 2021
Throughout the season he’s been dealing with numerous injuries, but he’s still been one of the best players in the game.
So this will be a much-needed break for our MLBbro and he’ll look to continue to perform at a high level after the All-Star break. Brantley has been a threat on offense all season and he has come through in clutch situations numerous times.
The MLBbro Black Knights of the Night for 6/21:
3) Willie Calhoun (TEX): 2-4 and a run scored for the Rangers in an 8-3 win over OAK.
2) @TheRealSmith2_ (NYM): 3-6 w/ 3 RBI in a DH split with the Braves.
1) Michael Brantley (HOU): 3-3, 2 BB, 3 runs, 2 RBI for @MLB’s top hitter. pic.twitter.com/qXsZ12K2Mr— MLBbro.com (@MLBbrodotcom) June 22, 2021
But if you look at his numbers recently they have been down, and that’s because he went three consecutive games without recording a hit.
That’s right, from July 8 to July 10, Brantley was hitless, which marked the first time this season he went hitless for three straight games.
In his last seven games, he hit .178 with four hits and four strikeouts. That’s certainly below his normal averages during the season, but even though he struggled at the plate, his batting average is still fourth in MLB at .326. That’s baseball though. Everybody cools off eventually.
The MLBbro Black Knights of the Night for 6/16:
3) Michael Brantley (HOU) – 2-4, 1 BB2) LaMonte Wade Jr. (SF) – 2-6, HR (4), 2 Runs, 1 RBI
1) @JBell_19 (WSH) – 2-3, HR (9), 2 RBI, 1 Run pic.twitter.com/CnpVdCYO0K
— MLBbro.com (@MLBbrodotcom) June 17, 2021
The great ones, then, heat up again.
Brantley recently ended his hitless streak after a 2-for-4 performance on July 11th against the New York Yankees.
This was the performance he needed to get back on track, especially right before the All-Star Game.
Through 69 games, Brantley is hitting .326 with a .475 slugging percentage. He’s also hit five home runs with 31 RBI.
The Astros have definitely benefited from having Brantley in the lineup. He leads the team in batting average, doubles, and triples, and is second on the team in hits.
Ever since Brantley joined the Astros in 2019, he’s batted over .300. During the 2019 season, he finished with a .311 batting average and during the COVID-shortened season in 2020, he finished with a .300 batting average.
Hitting in the majors is already a difficult task as is and to bat over .300 during a season is very impressive.
And to do so consecutive seasons is even more impressive. If Brantley finishes the season hitting .300 or above, this will be his fourth consecutive season doing so.
That should not go unnoticed by any means and Brantley definitely deserves some high praise.
He is on pace to win his second Silver Slugger Award and it would be his first since the 2014 season when he was with the Cleveland Indians.
That season he batted .327 with 20 home runs and 97 RBI. One thing Brantley knows how to do is hit and he’s displayed that throughout his career.
And our brother can get it done in the field as well, don’t get it twisted. He displays a strong arm in the outfield and there’s always a chance that he’ll throw a runner out if they want to test him.
The 34-year-old still has some years left in the tank and he’s going to continue to play at a high level.