Tuesday, August 20, 2013

Brantley Sets A New Club Record!!! =D




















after tonight's Cleveland Indians @ Los Angeles Angels game was completed, Michael Brantley set a new club record. from June 5, 2012-August 19, 2013, he has played 213 consecutive games in the outfield (both center and left) without committing an error. words can't even begin to explain how proud of him i am. congratulations, Michael! =D

so whose record did he break? that would be the beloved Rocky Colavito. Rocky played errorless baseball from September 25, 1959-June 15, 1966 during two tours with the Tribe. as you can see, that record of 212 consecutive games held up for quite a long time, but it was bound to be broken sooner or later, and who better to do it than Dr. Smooth? ;D

Michael has been playing amazing defense all season. he's made many great catches and many great throws. he currently has 10 outfield assists. that ties him for the lead in the AL with Dayan Viciedo, Leonys Martin, and Alex Gordon. he also has 198 putouts and 1 double play to date.


and let's not forget, Michael may have broken that record tonight, but he can still easily set a higher record as this season continues. the fact that Michael has played such stellar defense this year means he has a legitimate chance to finish the entire 2013 season without an error, thus adding to the new record. there are 37 games left. if he played every game for the rest of the year, he could end the season at 250 consecutive errorless games. most likely he'll get a few of those games off, so maybe we'll aim for around 245. i think he can do it, and then add to it again next season and make the new record unattainable for any future outfielders lol ;D

i'm so proud of Michael. i was waiting for this day to come for weeks and i'm very happy for him. this is one heck of an accomplishment. i expect Michael to continue to set new records for himself and i'm beyond excited to see what else he does in his career.

213 and counting...

<3

Thursday, August 1, 2013

Brantley's July 2013 #s

July was a big improvement from last month for Michael Brantley. his batting average went up almost a full .100, so i'm very happy. he started July batting .275 and finished batting .285, which is more where i expect his batting average to be. hopefully that number continues to increase as he completes these last two months of the season.

this month, Michael hit in 5 different spots in the lineup, getting the most time in the 5th spot. on July 21, Francona shed some light on the constant shuffling of Michael by saying he doesn't want to have to lock him into one spot in the lineup because "he's done a great job bouncing all over the place." while that may be true, it's not really fair to Michael. i think everyone knows my feelings about this by now and nothing i say will change things so let's move on.

Michael had a hit in 17 of the 24 games he played in in July and reached base safely in 19 games. he had 27 hits, 9 of which were for extra bases, 10 walks, and only 8 strikeouts. he is one of only 4 Indians since the year 2000 to achieve this feat. the others include Omar Vizquel, Kenny Lofton, and, the most current up until now, Victor Martinez (June 2004).

Michael currently has the 2nd highest batting average on the team behind Jason Kipnis. Michael is batting .360 (27-for-75) with runners in scoring position, with one home run, two doubles, two triples, and 21 RBI. that's good enough for 3rd in the American League, trailing only Miguel Cabrera and Chris Davis. Michael is also batting .386 (17-for-44) with two outs and runners in scoring position. both of these RISP numbers are the highest on the team. said Michael, "there's times when the game might dictate getting on base or driving a guy in or whatnot. but the game dictates that. i don't dictate that. i just try to put up a good at-bat every time."

on July 7, Michael hit 2 home runs, marking his second multi-home run game of this season and his career. he also scored 3 runs, had 3 extra base hits, 5 RBI, and touched 10 total bases in that game. Michael became the first hitter to record all those stats in one game since Choo did it on September 17, 2010 against Kansas City. Travis Hafner was the last Indian with these numbers against the Tigers back on July 4, 2005. before Travis, Carlos Baerga is next in the record books with these numbers against Detroit. the date? June 17, 1993. (thanks to Bastian for providing me with this information.)

after Michael hit his 2nd home run in that game, he tied his career high of 7 home runs from 2011. with two months of baseball left, he will almost assuredly set a new record for himself in that category. i know he'd love to pass his father's season high of 15 homers, but unless Michael goes on a tear, i am doubtful that will be happening. i said before i would be satisfied with 10-12 homers from him for the season. he is not a home run hitter, so expecting much more than that just isn't realistic. besides, with the way he hits in the clutch and gets himself on base, he doesn't need to go yard all the time. even though people prefer a corner outfielder to have more power, well, sorry folks, you can't have everything lol Michael's still a big contributor offensively and defensively, which is more than we can say about some other members of this team.

speaking of, let's discuss his outfield performance now. once again, Michael played errorless left field and his fielding percentage remains a perfect 1.000. he is the only Indians regular without an error this season. he had 49 putouts in July and 2 more outfield assists, giving him a season high total now of 9. even more exciting is that Michael has played 196 straight games in the outfield without an error. according to Elias Sports, that errorless streak is the 2nd longest streak by an Indians outfielder in club history. the record is currently set by Rocky Colavito at 212 games. Michael is so close to breaking that record, and i want it for him SO bad. i look forward to seeing what August brings ;D

now let's break down the numbers. i am going to document his July #s, the leadoff #s, the 5th spot #s, the 4th spot #s, the 7th spot #s, the PH #s, the 9th spots #s, the #s of everything not leadoff combined, as well as the left field #s, overall left field #s, and overall outfield #s.


July batting average: .318

OBP: .396

SLG: .482

OPS: .878


Michael played in 24 (of 25) games in July. he started and played left field in 23 games, and he came in to PH in late innings in 1 game. after he PH'd, he remained in the game as the left fielder and played a total of 2 innings in left field. he had 1 complete game off and did not play any center field this month.


Michael bat leadoff in 2 games.

Michael bat 5th in 16 games.

Michael bat 4th in 2 games.

Michael bat 7th in 3 games.

Michael bat 9th in 1 game. (PH/defensive sub: 2 innings)


Michael played left field in 24 games.

Michael was the PH in 1 game.

Michael played in 23 complete games.


in July, Michael had a total of 97 plate appearances and 85 at bats. here is how he fared:

27 hits

18 singles

6 doubles

1 triple

2 home runs

13 RBI

15 runs scored

10 walks

1 hit by pitch

3 stolen bases

1 sac bunt

8 strikeouts

6 first at bat hits


32 left on base

49 putouts

2 assists

207 innings, 24 games

July batting average: .318 (27-85) (24 games)

now let's break down his numbers based on where he hit in the lineup.


when Michael led off in July, he had a total of 9 plate appearances and 7 at bats in 2 games. breaking down the numbers are as follows:

1 hit

1 single

1 run scored

2 walks

1 strikeout


3 left on base

7 putouts

18 innings, 2 games

July batting average in the leadoff spot: .143 (1-7) (2 games)
July batting average in the leadoff spot while playing left: .143 (1-7) (2 games)

overall batting average so far in the leadoff spot: .305 (29-95) (22 games) (196 innings)
overall batting average so far in the leadoff spot while playing left: .309 (29-94) (22 games) (192 innings)
overall batting average so far in the leadoff spot while playing center: .000 (0-1) (1 game) (4 innings)


when Michael was not leading off in July, he had a total of 88 plate appearances and 78 at bats in 22 games. breaking down the numbers are as follows:

26 hits

17 singles

6 doubles

1 triple

2 home runs

13 RBI

14 runs scored

8 walks

1 hit by pitch

3 stolen bases

1 sac bunt

7 strikeouts

6 first at bat hits


29 left on base

42 putouts

2 assists

189 innings, 22 games

July batting average everywhere other than leadoff: .333 (26-78) (22 games)
July batting average everywhere other than leadoff while playing left: .338 (26-77) (22 games)

overall batting average so far everywhere other than leadoff: .277 (76-274) (80 games) (664.2 innings)
overall batting average so far everywhere other than leadoff while playing left: .276 (75-272) (80 games) (664.2 innings)


now let's break down his non-leadoff numbers even further.


when Michael bat 5th in July, he had a total of 65 plate appearances and 57 at bats in 16 games. breaking down the numbers are as follows:

14 hits

8 singles

4 doubles

2 home runs

8 RBI

9 runs scored

7 walks

2 stolen bases

1 sac bunt

6 strikeouts

2 first at bat hits


27 left on base

28 putouts

1 assist

140 innings, 16 games

July batting average in the 5th spot: .246 (14-57) (16 games)
July batting average in the 5th spot while playing left: .246 (14-57) (16 games)

overall batting average so far in the 5th spot: .245 (26-106) (30 games) (264 innings)
overall batting average so far in the 5th spot while playing left: .245 (26-106) (30 games) (264 innings)


when Michael bat 4th in July, he had a total of 9 plate appearances and 8 at bats in 2 games. breaking down the numbers are as follows:

5 hits

5 singles

1 RBI

2 runs scored

1 hit by pitch

1 stolen base

2 first at bat hits


5 putouts

17 innings, 2 games

July batting average in the 4th spot: .625 (5-8) (2 games)
July batting average in the 4th spot while playing left: .625 (5-8) (2 games)

overall batting average so far in the 4th spot: .283 (13-46) (11 games) (95 innings)
overall batting average so far in the 4th spot while playing left: .283 (13-46) (11 games) (95 innings)


when Michael bat 7th in July, he had a total of 13 plate appearances and 12 at bats in 3 games. breaking down the numbers are as follows:

7 hits

4 singles

2 doubles

1 triple

4 RBI

3 runs scored

1 walk

2 first at bat hits


1 left on base

8 putouts

1 assist

30 innings, 3 games

July batting average in the 7th spot: .583 (7-12) (3 games)
July batting average in the 7th spot while playing left: .583 (7-12) (3 games)

overall batting average so far in the 7th spot: .302 (19-63) (19 games) (156.2 innings)
overall batting average so far in the 7th spot while playing left: .290 (18-62) (19 games) (156.2 innings)
overall batting average so far as a PH in the 7th spot: 1.000 (1-1) (2 games)


when Michael bat 9th in July, he had a total of 1 plate appearance and 1 at bat in 1 game. breaking down the numbers are as follows:

1 strikeout


1 left on base

1 putout

2 innings, 1 game

July batting average in the 9th spot: .000 (0-1) (1 game)
July batting average in the 9th spot while playing left: .000 (0-0) (1 game)

overall batting average so far in the 9th spot: .000 (0-1) (2 games) (5 innings)
overall batting average so far in the 9th spot while playing left: .000 (0-0) (2 games) (5 innings)

when Michael bat 9th, he was the PH in July for 1 game. he had a total of 1 plate appearance and 1 at bat. breaking down the numbers are as follows:

1 strikeout


1 left on base

1 game

July batting average as a PH in the 9th spot: .000 (0-1) (1 game)
overall batting average so far as a PH in the 9th spot: .000 (0-1) (1 game)

when Michael came in to PH in July, he had a total of 1 plate appearance and 1 at bat in 1 game. breaking down the numbers are as follows:

1 strikeout


1 left on base

1 game

July batting average as a PH: .000 (0-1) (1 game)
overall batting average so far as a PH: .500 (1-2) (3 games)


now let's break down his numbers based on where he played in the outfield.


when Michael played left in July, he had a total of 96 plate appearances and 84 at bats in 24 games. breaking down the numbers are as follows:

27 hits

18 singles

6 doubles

1 triple

2 home runs

13 RBI

15 runs scored

10 walks

1 hit by pitch

3 stolen bases

1 sac bunt

7 strikeouts

6 first at bat hits


31 left on base

49 putouts

2 assists

207 innings, 24 games

(23 complete games)

July batting average while playing left: .321 (27-84) (24 games)
overall batting average so far while playing left: .284 (104-366) (102 games) (856.2 innings)



July #s while playing left: 49 putouts, 2 assists, 0 errors, 1.000 fielding percentage (207 innings, 24 games)

overall #s so far while playing left: 168 putouts, 9 assists, 1 double play, 0 errors, 1.000 fielding percentage (856.2 innings, 102 games)

overall #s so far while playing center: 0 putouts, 0 assists, 0 errors, 1.000 fielding percentage (4 innings, 1 game)

overall #s so far while playing the outfield: 168 putouts, 9 assists, 1 double play, 0 errors, 1.000 fielding percentage (860.2 innings, 102 games)



now my game-by-game numbers and notes.

Game 79/Game 1, July 2: 1-3, walk (first at bat), run scored, walk, single. AVG: .275
(leadoff/LF/CG)

Game 80/Game 2, July 3: 0-4. AVG: .271
(5th/LF/CG)

Game 81/Game 3, July 4: 4-5, RBI single (first at bat), single, single, run scored, single. AVG: .280
(4th/LF/CG)

Game 82/Game 4, July 5: 0-3, reached on forceout, reached on forceout, walk. AVG: .278
(5th/LF/CG)

Game 83/Game 5, July 6: 0-4. AVG: .274
(5th/LF/CG)

Game 84/Game 6, July 7: 3-4, 2-run double (first at bat), run scored, home run, run scored, 2-run home run, run scored. AVG: .280
(5th/LF/CG)

Game 85/Game 7, July 8: 2-3, single (first at bat), stolen base, run scored, walk, walk, single. AVG: .284
(5th/LF/CG10)

Game 86/Game 8, July 9: 1-3, RBI single. AVG: .284
(5th/LF/CG)

Game 87/Game 9, July 10: 1-4, walk (first at bat), run scored, RBI single. AVG: .284
(5th/LF/CG)

Game 88/Game 10, July 11: 1-3, single (first at bat), hit by pitch, stolen base, run scored. AVG: .284
(4th/LF/CG)

Game 89/Game 11, July 12: 0-4. AVG: .281
(leadoff/LF/CG)

Game 90/Game 12, July 13: 1-4, double, run scored. AVG: .280
(5th/LF/CG)

Game 91/Game 13, July 14: 1-5, RBI single, run scored. AVG: .279
(5th/LF/CG)

Game 92/Game 14, July 19: 1-3, walk, single. AVG: .280
(5th/LF/CG)

Game 93/Game 15, July 20: 0-3, sac bunt. AVG: .277
(5th/LF/CG)

Game 94/Game 16, July 21: 1-4, reached on fielder’s choice, 3-run triple. AVG: .277
(7th/LF/CG)

Game 95/Game 17, July 22: 1-4, double. AVG: .277
(5th/LF/CG)

Game 96/Game 18, July 23: 1-3, walk, single. AVG: .277
(5th/LF/CG)

July 24: not in lineup.

Game 97/Game 19, July 26: 3-4, single (first at bat), run scored, walk, run scored, single, single. AVG: .282
(7th/LF/CG11)

Game 98/Game 20, July 27: 1-3, double, stolen base. AVG: .283
(5th/LF/CG)

Game 99/Game 21, July 28: 1-4, single, run scored. AVG: .283
(5th/LF/CG)

Game 100/Game 22, July 29: 0-1. AVG: .282
(9th/PH-LF/2 innings)
^^Michael did not start this game, but came in to pinch hit in the bottom of the 7th inning. then he stayed in the game as a defensive substitution for the top of the 8th and 9th innings.^^

Game 101/Game 23, July 30: 0-3, walk, run scored. AVG: .279
(5th/LF/CG)

Game 102/Game 24, July 31: 3-4, single (first at bat), RBI double, double, run scored. AVG: .285
(7th/LF/CG10)



so far in 2013, Michael has a total of 410 plate appearances and 369 at bats in 102 games (860.2 innings). in total, he has 105 hits, 79 singles, 17 doubles, 2 triples, 7 home runs, 52 RBI, 6 sac flies, 51 runs scored, 30 walks, 1 intentional walk, 4 hit by pitches, 11 stolen bases, 2 caught stealing, 1 sac bunt, 45 strikeouts, 27 first at bat hits, 144 left on base, 168 putouts, 9 assists, and 1 double play.

season batting average: .285 (105-369)

OBP: .340

SLG: .398

OPS: .738