Can the Return of MLBbro Michael ‘The Professional’ Brantley Jumpstart Houston Astros’ Offense?

Can the Return of MLBbro Michael ‘The Professional’ Brantley Jumpstart Houston Astros’ Offense?

by | May 6, 2023 | THE LEAD OFF

After winning the World Series beating the Philadelphia Phillies last year in six games, the Houston Astros have had issues putting together that chemistry from last year. With a 16-15 record and a two-game losing streak as of May 5th, the easy observation is that ineptitude on the offensive end is leading to losses. 

 

Houston Astros Bats Have Disappeared

 

The team is at the bottom of the Major Leagues in slugging percentage hovering around .370. To put this in perspective, the only teams with worse percentages are last place teams in the Oakland A’s, the Kansas City Royals and the Washington Nationals. 

 

But help is coming in MLBbro, Michael Brantley who is currently tearing up his rehab assignment with the Sugar Land Space Cowboys. Based on this tweet here, the Astros might have to fight to get him back…

 

 

 

Brantley has been impressive in his first action in ten months after undergoing arthroscopic labral repair on his right shoulder that kept him out of the Houston lineup since June 26th.

 

In six games with the Space Cowboys, our MLBbro had a batting average of .333. 

 

Astros general manager Dana Brown provided some insight on his timeline that Brantley could return to the parent club and possibly be in the lineup by Monday when Houston starts the Anaheim series.   

 

The ultimate goal for our MLBbro is getting back to the Astros…but at 100 percent. 

 

“I want to be healthy, I want to be able to contribute at a high level once I go back,” said Brantley. “There is a lot of hard work from a lot of good people to get me to this point and I am appreciative of being here and even having this opportunity, and all is going well so far.”

 

“The Professional” should hit the ground running upon return. Brantley stated recently that the competition in the minor leagues has gotten tougher since he came up the ranks years ago.

 

 

If Michael Brantley does return for the Anaheim series, then what?

 

Where will Michael Brantley fit in when he returns and more importantly…the future?

 

Our MLBbro has a shining reputation of being a professional hitter thanks to a disciplined eye at the plate and solid mechanics to make consistent contact. With that in mind, look for Brantley to fill the designated hitter spot when he returns. His career performance shows that Michael should be fine in the short term.

 

  • Brantley has topped the .300 mark in five of his last eight seasons.


  • He’s never struck out more than 60 times in any season of his career.


  • His OPS+ (On base Plus Slugging Plus) is at least 19 percent above league average the last five seasons. 

 

 

Michael Brantley made a positive contribution to the Astros offense before the team shut him down. His numbers were still solid ( .288/.370/.416 with an OPS of .785). Numbers like these along with veteran leadership in the locker room will suit the Astros just fine in the short term.

But what about the long term?

 

Could Michael Brantley be moving to first base ?

Throughout his career, Michael Brantley has been a defensive anchor in the outfield. But could a return from shoulder surgery prompt a move to the infield? According to MLBbro manager Dusty Baker, Brantley could be moving to first base when he gets his rhythm back.

 

 

 

Brantley has been seen working out at first base working on footwork and throwing mechanics. Even though our MLBbro hasn’t played first base in the minors in 2007, it’s all about the team and how he can help via MLB.com.

 

“We’ll see how it goes, Brantley said. “At the same time, it’s a team-first approach always. I’ve always been like that. If I can help the team out in any way, I’ll be available. It’s a lot of hard work. I’m learning a lot very quickly, but it’s all been going smoothly so far.”

 

“I’m just trying to learn and do the best of my ability and get the footwork down, make accurate throws, find new arm slots,” Brantley said. “It’s an adjustment period, but it’s kind of fun. I always enjoy taking ground balls. I get to do it a little more often.

 

With this season just starting basically 30 games in, the Astros see the season as a marathon and not a sprint. The team wants to see our MLBbro settled in for the postseason where he really can help the team repeat as champions.

The postseason is the end game for Michael Brantley’s rehab and position change.

 

When the Astros discussed their long term plans this season for Brantley, his postseason performance in 2020 was on the minds of many. Michael Brantley showed up and showed out with a .319 batting average with at least one RBI in seven of the 13 games he participated in. One of those games he deposited two homers with three RBI.   

 

Michael Brantley’s In A Class By Himself | ‘The Professional’ Masters The Art Of Hitting

 

 

But for any postseason talk to commence, the Astros have to start generating offense, which is where Brantley helps. To start this season, there have been ten Astros players with at least 50 plate appearances. Out of those ten, only Yordan Alvarez and Kyle Tucker have OBPs of .340 or better. After signing a one-year deal last December, here’s hoping that Michael Brantley returns to reward the Astros loyalty despite surgery last season.

George Springer & Michael Brantley Injuries Are Crushing Blows For Toronto Blue Jays, Houston Astros Playoff Push

George Springer & Michael Brantley Injuries Are Crushing Blows For Toronto Blue Jays, Houston Astros Playoff Push

by | Aug 11, 2022 | THE LEAD OFF

Two former World Series Champions and teammates in Michael Brantley and George Springer are expected to miss time down the stretch due to injuries.

Michael Brantley

The understated superstar may see his streak of five consecutive seasons with a batting average of .299 or better snapped because of a shoulder injury that leaves him with no timetable to return.

 

 

When Astros general manager James Click was asked if Brantley would be back at any point this season, he said “We hope so, but with every passing day, you have to kind of take an honest look at it.”

Brantley has not played since June 26th when Houston traveled to the Bronx for what was looked at as a possible future American League Championship Series preview.

They would end up splitting the four-game series. Entering Tuesday, both teams are currently tied for the best record in the American League.

Although the already-loaded Astros bulked up at the trade deadline by adding former Oriole Trey Mancini and Red Sox catcher Christian Vasquez, Brantley’s presence will be missed if he is not available come October.

 

 

Last postseason, Brantley was a key part of their run to the World Series, batting .319 with nine RBI, four doubles and a .724 OPS. In 2020, he hit .346 with a .424 on base percentage, .982 OPS six walks and 11 RBI. In 64 games this season, Brantley is batting .288 with five home runs and 28 runs scored.  

There will be no rush to bring him back until he is fully healthy. Hopefully we get to see one of the best hitters in the game this fall.

George Springer

The Blue Jays win when George Springer is in.  

It could be any time between a few days and a few weeks before one of the greatest leadoff hitters of all time is back in the fold.

 

George Springer Is Stutter-Stepping For The Kids

 

Springer was placed on the 10-Day Injured List over the weekend with inflammation in his right elbow. Some of the moves the Jays made at the deadline bring up questions about how long they could be without him.

The team traded for utility player Whit Merrifield and added MLBbro outfielder Jackie Bradley Jr. after he was Designated for Assignment by the Red Sox last week.

Bradley Jr. was the 2018 American League Championship Series MVP and reunited with Boston after spending a season in Milwaukee.

He could never get much going at the plate, as he was only hitting .210 with a .257 on base percentage this year, but defensively he is still one of the best in the Majors.

In his career, Springer has hit 51 leadoff home runs which is fourth-most all time in Major League history. Rickey Henderson is at the head of the table with 81 during his 25-year playing career.

Despite having seven other All-Stars players since 2021, the Jays win and loss total rides on whether Springer is in the lineup or not.

Since signing a six-year $150 million deal with Toronto, the franchise has a record of 97-70 when he plays and 54-52 when he does not. Springer is eligible to return August 15th when Cedric “CM Storm” Mullins brings his Orioles to “The 6” for a three-game series.

Michael Brantley “The Professional” Leads Astros Bat Attack Back To Top Of AL West

Michael Brantley “The Professional” Leads Astros Bat Attack Back To Top Of AL West

by | May 19, 2022 | THE THREE SPOT

The Astros hit five second inning home runs in a Monday night “Boston Massacre” of the Red Sox, highlighted by a three-run homer courtesy of Michael Brantley – who continues to be the best hitter you hear the least about.

Michael “The Professional” Brantley Is Conducting Business As Usual

Manager Dusty Baker has his Houston Astros absolutely rolling.  Entering Wednesday, Houston had won eight of their last 10 games. The stretch included the manager’s historic 2,011th victory Tuesday night when they became the eighth team in Major League history to hit five home runs in an inning. The biggest was a three-run shot coming off the bat of Michael “The Professional” Brantley.

The Astros hot streak coincides with Brantley collecting 11 hits – seven consecutive – in his last 12 games.

During that seven-game stretch, Brantley is 9-for-27 for a .333 batting average, an on-base percentage above .450, five walks, five RBI, a home run and six runs scored.

This new-age Astros lineup is filled with some of the best young talent in the Majors, coming into this season following the experience of playing in last year’s World Series.  

Yordan Alverez, Jeremy Pena and Kyle Tucker are among the younger faces accounting for a significant majority of the Astros offense this season, yet currently the veteran Brantley still stands atop of the team lead in average and sits second in on base percentage.

Brantley, like Baker, still has not gotten the opportunity to hoist the World Series trophy in his career, but the five time All-Star has steadily put up championship-level numbers at the plate since 2019.

Over these last three seasons, Brantley has never had his batting average below .300. Brantley celebrated his 35th birthday on the 15th of May, finishing his game that day against the Nationals 1-for-5.

Thursday, Brantley and the Astros will be in Space City for a weekend series against Taylor Hearn, Marcus Seimien and the Texas Rangers.

These early season American League West matchups are tone setters for the rest of the year in what I think will be one of the more competitive divisions in the Majors.

Each team besides the Athletics – whose Moneyball philosophy has them looking like a shell of their former selves – made additions and improvement to their rosters in hopes of snatching the division championship from Houston who has taken the crown four times in the last five years.

Even with the Angels having the two of the best players in the game’s history, the Rangers adding a home run record breaker and the Mariners adding last year’s American League Cy Young winner, I still give Brantley and his Astros the upper hand in the division if he can be the straw that stirs this new core’s drink.

 

Michael “The Professional” Brantley Is Conducting Business As Usual

Michael “The Professional” Brantley Is Conducting Business As Usual

by | May 9, 2022 | THE LEAD OFF

Michael Brantley is picking up where he left off last season. The 14-year veteran has been a spark for the Houston Astros at the plate since he joined the team. His consistency and mechanical mastery at the dish earned him the nickname, “The Professional.” 

And this season, he’s still showing why he’s one of the best hitters in the game. 

Through 24 games, Brantley is leading the team in batting average (.278) and hits (27). A big reason the Astros wanted to go after Brantley after the 2018 season was because of his ability to hit. Our MLBbro has not disappointed at all and he’s not showing any signs of slowing down at the plate.

This season, Brantley has had numerous clutch hits, just like he has throughout his career.

 

On May 7, the Astros trailed the Detroit Tigers 2-1 in the eighth inning. With the game on the line, Brantley was calm, cool, and collected as he hit a triple to score Jose Altuve and tie the game.

Brantley would later come in to score to give the Astros the lead and secure the win. He was pleased with how his team fought in that game against the Tigers.

“Tip your cap, but at the same time, this lineup’s always going to fight to the end,” Brantley told the Houston Chronicle. “We got a great group of guys that work hard to grind out at-bats and put up good at-bats over and over and over. So it’s not necessarily how you draw it up, but we’ll take the win.”

“I just think we’re playing as a team,” he said. “Our pitching staff is carrying us, but we’re actually getting some good knocks and some big hits at the times that we need it for this win streak.”

The confidence that this brother has at the plate is amazing. He’s that player that you always want in your lineup because you know he’s going to make the most of his at-bats each and every time he steps in that box.

His presence in the lineup affects the entire team in a positive way. If the Astros find themselves struggling at the plate, Brantley is the guy that can change the whole dynamic of the offense. 

This season, he has eight multi-hit games and was recently riding a four-game hitting streak. 

Houston is a team that can make some noise going into the postseason and Brantley does not shy away from the big stage.

The numbers speak for themselves when talking about how good of a hitter Brantley is. When his career is over, he will always be considered as one of the top hitters in the game. 

And a big reason why he’s the best of the best is the work he puts in during the offseason. Let’s be real, one of the hardest things to do in baseball is hit a ball.

You never know what pitch is coming or how hard it is going to come at you. 

But Brantley makes it look easy out there and he’s going to continue to have success this season at the plate because he’s a professional hitter.