Michael is batting .322 at the break. that's the 2nd highest average on the team, 6th in the American League, and 9th in the majors. he did have the highest batting average on the team until very recently, when Lonnie Chisenhall became a qualifier and then passed Michael on July 11. anyways, last year at this time Michael was batting .279, and the year before that he was batting .288. so this is clearly the best Michael's ever done at this point in the season. he's already set several career highs before the break and is on pace to set even more. he's done outstanding and was rightfully rewarded for his hard work by making this year's All Star team.
Michael had a hit in 72 of the 90 games he's played in so far. during these 90 games, Michael had many significant hitting streaks, including
--an 11-game hitting streak from April 29 - May 11.
--a 15-game hitting streak, longest on the team and 3rd longest in the American League at that time, from May 14-30.
--a 10-game road hitting streak from May 14, May 22-28, and June 6-7.
--a 9-game hitting streak from June 9-20 (over 12 days).
--5-straight multi-hit games from June 11-15.
--a 9-game road hitting streak from June 9-15 and June 24-25.
--a 9-game hitting streak from July 4-12.
--and for the second time this season, 5-straight multi-hit games from July 4-8.
additionally, Michael set a new franchise record with his 19-game home hitting streak (Progressive Field/Jacobs Field), longest in the major leagues at that time, from April 20 - May 30.
Michael
reached base safely in 81 games and had quite a few reached base
streaks as well. he
--reached
base in 15 straight games from April 9-24.
--reached
base in 12 straight games from April 28 - May 11.
--reached
base in 15 straight games from May 14-30.
--reached
base in 16 straight games from June 1-20 (over 20 days).
--reached
base in 20 straight road games from May 14, May 22-28, June 6-15, and June 24-25.
--reached
base in 11 straight games from July 1-12 (over 12 days).
he's batting .361 (66-for-183) with 39 RBI at home and .280 (47-for-168) on the road. his home BA is one of the best in the league.
Michael's also batting .360 (31-for-86) with runners in scoring position, producing 47 RBI. he's hitting .375 (6-for-16) with 0 outs and runners in scoring position, .441 (15-for-34) with 1 out and RISP, and .278 (10-for-36) with 2 outs and RISP and 16 RBI.
Michael has a batting average of .363 (53-for-146) with 51 RBI with runners on base and .600 (6-for-10) with 17 RBI when the bases are loaded. he is also batting .289 (35-for-121) with 22 RBI with 2 outs in an inning.
Michael currently leads the team with: 113 hits, 38
extra base hits, 182 total bases, 22 doubles (tied), 15 home runs, 63 RBI, 63
runs, 90 games, 390 plate appearances, 351 at bats (tied), and .519 SLG. he
also leads
the outfielders with 10 assists.
he's 2nd on the team with 10 stolen bases, 6 hit by pitches (tied), .322 BA, .382 OBP, and .901 OPS. he is 3rd with 30 walks. he has the least amount of strikeouts with 32 as well.
(these rankings include qualifiers only.)
Michael's already had an unbelievable season and there's still 2 and a half months left to go. but so far, Michael set career highs for himself in the 1st half of 2014 with the following: 113 hits, 38 extra base hits, 182 total bases, 75 singles, 15 home runs, 63 RBI, 63 runs, 6 hit by pitches, 0 caught stealing in 10 attempts, 10 outfield assists, 390 plate appearances, 351 at bats, .322 BA, .382 OBP, .519 SLG, and .901 OPS.
he was also named American League Player of the Week for June 9-15 for the first time in his career.
Michael
is the first Indians player to have at least 60 RBI in a 1st half since Victor
Martinez in 2007. dating back to 1914, Michael is now only the 2nd Indians
player to have hit .300 or more with at least 35 extra base hits, 60 RBI, and
10 stolen bases in the 1st half of the season. Roberto Alomar previously did it
in 1999.
additionally in this 1st half, Michael's hit
safely in 39 of 46 home games overall. he now has 31 multi-hit games and 15
multi-RBI games. he has 18 go-ahead hits and 19
go-ahead RBI as well.
among American League outfielders, Michael ranks 1st in
batting average, 2nd in runs, 3rd in RBI and innings, tied for 3rd in hits and
extra base hits, 4th in doubles and total bases, and 6th in home runs. his 3.7 WAR number is ranked 3rd. in addition, Michael's 8.2% strikeout rate in 390 PA is the lowest among AL outfielders and 4th lowest in the league. Martinez currently leads the league with a 6.2 strikeout percentage.
Michael played both left and center field before the break, but mostly left. he was charged with one error while playing center field and has a .994 overall fielding percentage. his fielding percentage in left field is a perfect 1.000 and his fielding percentage in center is .982. he currently has a total of 155 putouts, 10 outfield assists, and 1 double play. he also started a triple play, his first, on July 1. his 10 outfield assists are not only a season high for him, but they tie him for 2nd most in the American League and in the majors.
Michael played both left and center field before the break, but mostly left. he was charged with one error while playing center field and has a .994 overall fielding percentage. his fielding percentage in left field is a perfect 1.000 and his fielding percentage in center is .982. he currently has a total of 155 putouts, 10 outfield assists, and 1 double play. he also started a triple play, his first, on July 1. his 10 outfield assists are not only a season high for him, but they tie him for 2nd most in the American League and in the majors.
it is also noteworthy that Michael played 247 consecutive games in the outfield without an error. his streak spanned from June 5, 2012 to April 2, 2014 and is a franchise record.
1st Half batting average: .322
OBP: .382
SLG: .519
OPS: .901
March/April BA: .255
May BA: .345
June BA: .341
July BA (so far): .365
Michael played in 90 (of 94) games, 86 complete, before the All Star break.
he started and played left in 70 games, completing 62 of those games. he left 1 game early with mid-back tightness and played 4 innings. he left 1 game early after a blow to the head/neck and played 4 innings. he was subbed out of 1 game after 7 innings because the Indians were winning a blowout.
he started and played center in 18 games, completing 17 of those games.
he was part of a defensive switch in 6 games, moving from left to center in 5 games and moving from center to left in 1 game. he played 15 innings when moved over to center with 6 official at bats. he played 1 inning when moved over to left with no official at bats.
he started and was the DH for 1 complete game.
he came in to PH in the bottom of the 9th inning for 1 game.
he missed 3 games due to injury. he missed 1 game with mid-back tightness from playing on astroturf and he missed 2 games with a mild concussion.
he had 1 game off.
Michael bat 5th in 18 games.
Michael bat 6th in 10 games.
Michael bat 3rd in 61 games.
Michael bat 9th in 1 game. (PH)
Michael played left field in 71 games, for a total of 605.1 innings. (62 complete, 5 started: 31 innings, 1 defensive switch: 1 inning, 2 left early w/ injury: 8 innings, 1 subbed out: 7 innings)
Michael played center field in 23 games, for a total of 176.1 innings. (17 complete, 1 started: 8 innings, 5 defensive switches: 15 innings)
Michael was the DH in 1 game.
Michael was the PH in 1 game.
Michael played in 86 complete games.
in the first half, Michael had a total of 390 plate appearances and 351 at bats. here is how he fared:
113 hits
75 singles
22 doubles
1 triple
15 home runs
63 RBI
3 sac flies
63 runs scored
30 walks
6 hit by pitches
10 stolen bases
10 GIDP
32 strikeouts (24 swinging, 8 looking)
28 first at bat hits
182 total bases
126 left on base
155 putouts
10 assists
1 double play
1 error
781.2 innings, 90 games
(86 complete games)
1st Half batting average: .322 (113-351) (90 games)
now my game-by-game numbers and notes.
Game 1, March 31: 2-4, double, double. AVG: .500
(batting 5th/LF/CG9)
April 1: game postponed, to be made up April 2.
(6th/CF)
Game 2, April 2 (Day Game): 1-3, single (first at bat). AVG: .429
(6th/CF/CG8)
^^Michael sets new franchise record with 247 consecutive errorless games in the outfield^^
**Michael's 247 consecutive errorless games streak ends**
Game 3, April 2 (Night Game): 1-4, walk, RBI groundout, 2-run single. AVG: .364
(5th/LF - 5 innings, CF - 4 innings/CG9)
Game 4, April 4: 1-4, reached on fielder's choice, 2-run single. AVG: .333
(5th/LF/CG9)
Game 5, April 5: 1-4, single, run scored. AVG: .316
(5th/LF/CG9)
Game 6, April 6: 3-5, single (first at bat), run scored, RBI single, single. AVG: .375
(5th/LF/CG9)
April 7: game postponed, to be made up April 9 in a traditional DH.
(6th/CF)
**Michael's 6-game hitting streak ends**
Game 7, April 8: 0-4. AVG: .321
(5th/LF/CG9)
Game 8, April 9 (Game 1): 1-3, single (first at bat). AVG: .323
(6th/CF - 8 i, LF - 1 i/CG9)
Game 9, April 9 (Game 2): 0-3, walk. AVG: .294
(6th/CF/CG9)
Game 10, April 10: 1-4, double. AVG: .289
(6th/CF/CG8)
Game 11, April 11: 1-4, walk, run scored, RBI single. AVG: .286
(6th/CF/CG8)
Game 12, April 12: 1-3, 2-run single (first at bat), walk, walk, run scored. AVG: .289
(5th/LF/CG9)
Game 13, April 13: 1-3, walk (first at bat), home run, run scored, reached on fielder's choice, reached on fielding error, run scored. AVG: .292
(6th/CF/CG8.1)
April 15: game postponed due to cold, to be made up July 19 in a day-night DH.
Game 14, April 16: 0-3, hit by pitch, stolen base. AVG: .275
(5th/LF/CG9)
Game 15, April 17: 2-5, 2-run single, 2-run home run, run scored. AVG: .286
(5th/LF/CG8)
Game 16, April 18: 1-5, single, stolen base. AVG: .279
(5th/LF/CG9)
Game 17, April 19: 0-3, walk. AVG: .266
(6th/CF/CG9)
Game 18, April 20: 2-3, home run (first at bat), run scored, RBI double, walk, run scored. AVG: .284
(5th/LF/CG9)
Game 19, April 21: 1-4, 2-run home run, run scored. AVG: .282
(5th/LF/CG9)
Game 20, April 22: 2-4, single, stolen base, run scored, single. AVG: .293
(5th/LF/CG9)
Game 21, April 23: 1-3, single, stolen base, run scored, walk. AVG: .295
(6th/LF/CG9)
Game 22, April 24: 1-3, RBI single, run scored. AVG: .296
(5th/CF/CG9)
**Michael's 15-game on base streak ends**
Game 23, April 25: 0-4. AVG: .282
(5th/LF/CG8)
Game 24, April 26: 0-3, walk. AVG: .273
(5th/LF/CG8)
Game 25, April 27: 0-3. AVG: .264
(5th/LF/CG8.2)
Game 26, April 28: 0-4, reached on fielder's choice. AVG: .253
(6th/LF/CG8)
Game 27, April 29: 1-3, double, RBI sac fly. AVG: .255
(5th/LF/CG8)
April 30: not in lineup.
Game 28, May 2: 3-5, single (first at bat), run scored, home run, run scored, 2-run single. AVG: .272
(6th/LF/CG9)
Game 29, May 3: 1-4, single (first at bat). AVG: .271
(3rd/LF – 3 i, CF – 6 i/CG9)
Game 30, May 4: 1-5, single, run scored. AVG: .268
(3rd/LF/CG9)
Game 31, May 5: 1-4, double (first at bat). AVG: .267
(3rd/LF – 8 i, CF – 2 i/CG10)
Game 32, May 6: 1-3, RBI single (first at bat), run scored, walk. AVG: .269
(3rd/LF – 7 i, CF – 2 i/CG9)
Game 33, May 7: 2-4, 2-run double, single. AVG: .276
(3rd/LF/CG9)
Game 34, May 8: 3-5, double (first at bat), run scored, single, 2-run home run, run scored, RBI fielder's choice. AVG: .289
(3rd/LF/CG9)
Game 35, May 9: 1-5, reached on fielding error (first at bat), home run, run scored. AVG: .286
(3rd/LF/CG9)
Game 36, May 10: 1-3, walk, single. AVG: .287
(3rd/CF/CG8)
Game 37, May 11: 1-4, walk (first at bat), single. AVG: .286
(3rd/DH/CG)
**Michael's 11-game hitting streak and 12-game reached base streak end**
Game 38, May 13: 0-4. AVG: .278
(3rd/LF/CG8)
Game 39, May 14: 1-3, double. AVG: .279
(3rd/LF/GS4)
^^Michael left the game after the top of the 5th inning with mid-back tightness and is day-to-day^^
May 15: precautionary day off, should play tomorrow.
Game 40, May 16: 1-4, single. AVG: .278
(3rd/LF/CG9)
Game 41, May 17: 1-3, walk (first at bat), single, run scored. AVG: .279
(3rd/LF/CG9)
Game 42, May 18: 2-3, walk (first at bat), single, home run, run scored, RBI walk. AVG: .287
(3rd/LF/CG9)
Game 43, May 19: 2-4, double, walk, hit by pitch, home run, run scored. AVG: .292
(3rd/LF/CG10)
^^Michael hits first career walk-off home run^^
Game 44, May 20: 1-4, single (first at bat). AVG: .291
(3rd/LF/CG9)
Game 45, May 21: 4-7, 2-run single, stolen base, run scored, double, single, stolen base, run scored, RBI single. AVG: .302
(3rd/LF/CG13)
Game 46, May 22: 2-6, RBI triple, run scored, single, run scored. AVG: .303
(3rd/LF/CG13)
Game 47, May 23: 1-4, single, run scored. AVG: .302
(3rd/LF/CG8)
Game 48, May 24: 1-3, walk (first at bat), stolen base, RBI hit by pitch, single, run scored. AVG: .303
(3rd/LF/CG9)
Game 49, May 25: 1-4, single. AVG: .302
(3rd/LF/CG8)
Game 50, May 26: 2-3, RBI single, walk, stolen base, run scored, single. AVG: .307
(3rd/LF/CG8)
Game 51, May 27: 1-4, single. AVG: .306
(3rd/LF/CG8)
Game 52, May 28: 2-4, single, single, run scored. AVG: .310
(3rd/LF/CG8.1)
Game 53, May 30: 1-4, reached on fielder's choice (first at bat), run scored, double, run scored. AVG: .309
(3rd/LF/CG9)
^^Michael sets new franchise record with 19-game home hitting streak^^
**Michael's 15-game hitting streak and 19-game home hitting streak end**
Game 54, May 31: 0-4. AVG: .303
(3rd/LF/CG9)
Game 55, June 1: 2-4, RBI single (first at bat), run
scored, double, run scored. AVG: .307
(3rd/LF/CG9)
Game 56, June 2: 0-3, walk (first at bat), run scored. AVG: .302
(3rd/LF/CG9)
Game 57, June 3: 1-4, RBI single (first at bat), run scored. AVG: .301
(3rd/LF/CG9)
Game 58, June 4: 3-5, RBI single (first at bat), single, single, run scored. AVG: .308
(3rd/LF/CG12)
Game 59, June 6: 1-4, walk (first at bat), single. AVG: .307
(3rd/LF/CG8)
Game 60, June 7: 1-5, double, run scored. AVG: .305
(3rd/LF/CG9)
**Michael's 10-game road hitting streak and 10-game road on-base streak end**
Game 61, June 8: 0-5, reached on fielder's choice. AVG: .298
(3rd/LF/CG9)
Game 62, June 9: 3-3, walk (first at bat), run scored, walk, run scored, home run, run scored, single, run scored, single, run scored. AVG: .307
(3rd/LF/GS7)
Game 63, June 10: 1-3, double (first at bat), hit by pitch, hit by pitch, run scored. AVG: .307
(3rd/CF/CG8)
Game 64, June 11: 2-4, single (first at bat), single. AVG: .310
(3rd/LF/CG8)(3rd/LF/CG9)
Game 56, June 2: 0-3, walk (first at bat), run scored. AVG: .302
(3rd/LF/CG9)
Game 57, June 3: 1-4, RBI single (first at bat), run scored. AVG: .301
(3rd/LF/CG9)
Game 58, June 4: 3-5, RBI single (first at bat), single, single, run scored. AVG: .308
(3rd/LF/CG12)
Game 59, June 6: 1-4, walk (first at bat), single. AVG: .307
(3rd/LF/CG8)
Game 60, June 7: 1-5, double, run scored. AVG: .305
(3rd/LF/CG9)
**Michael's 10-game road hitting streak and 10-game road on-base streak end**
Game 61, June 8: 0-5, reached on fielder's choice. AVG: .298
(3rd/LF/CG9)
Game 62, June 9: 3-3, walk (first at bat), run scored, walk, run scored, home run, run scored, single, run scored, single, run scored. AVG: .307
(3rd/LF/GS7)
Game 63, June 10: 1-3, double (first at bat), hit by pitch, hit by pitch, run scored. AVG: .307
(3rd/CF/CG8)
Game 64, June 11: 2-4, single (first at bat), single. AVG: .310
Game 65, June 12: 2-4, single, double, run scored. AVG: .313
(3rd/LF/CG8)
Game 66, June 13: 2-4, single (first at bat), RBI double, reached on fielding error. AVG: .316
(3rd/LF/CG8)
Game 67, June 14: 2-4, hit by pitch, stolen base, single, run scored, single. AVG: .319
(3rd/LF/CG9)
Game 68, June 15: 2-4, home run (first at bat), run scored, single, walk. AVG: .322
(3rd/LF/CG11)
^^Michael sets new career high in home runs with 11^^
Game 69, June 16: 1-2, RBI single. AVG: .323
(3rd/LF/GS4)
^^Michael was removed
from the game after the top of the 4th inning for precautionary reasons after
taking a blow to the head/neck from John McDonald on slide into 2nd base while
trying to break up a double play^^
June 17: scratched from lineup at 4 pm. went through his pregame baseball activities and felt stiffness in his neck and pressure in his head. went to Cleveland Clinic for further evaluation and is currently day-to-day with head/neck soreness.
(3rd/LF)
June 18: has mild concussion, passing tests each day, hit off tee and played catch. might be back on field tomorrow, hopes to play June 21. game postponed, to be made up September 8.
June 19: ran on the field and threw before game, plus hit in the cage. tentative return still June 21.
June 20: ran the bases at full speed and took batting practice on the field. no ill effects. he was cleared to play in the 3rd/4th inning tonight, so…
Game 70, June 20: 1-1, single (first at bat). AVG: .326
(9th/PH)
**Michael's 9-game
hitting streak and 16-game reached base streak end**
Game 71, June 21: 0-5. AVG: .320
(3rd/LF/CG10)
(3rd/LF/CG10)
Game 72, June 22: 3-5, single (first at bat), RBI double, 2-run double. AVG: .325
(3rd/LF/CG9)
Game 73, June 24: 1-5, single, run scored, walk, walk, run scored. AVG: .323
(3rd/LF/CG13.1)
Game 74, June 25: 2-4, single (first at bat), RBI groundout, home run, run scored, walk, run scored. AVG: .325
(3rd/LF/CG9)
**Michael's 9-game
road hitting streak and 20-game road reached base streak end**
Game 75, June 27: 0-3, RBI sac fly. AVG: .322
(3rd/LF/CG8)
Game 76, June 28: 1-4, RBI single (first at bat), run
scored. AVG: .321
(3rd/LF/CG9)
(3rd/LF/CG9)
Game 77, June 29: 0-3, walk (first at bat). AVG: .318
(3rd/LF/CG8)
(3rd/LF/CG8)
(3rd/LF/CG8)
Game 79, July 1: 2-5, RBI double (first at bat), run
scored, single. AVG: .316
(3rd/LF/CG9)
^^Michael starts triple play with his 10th OF assist^^
Game 80, July 2: 0-4, reached on fielding error (first at bat), walk, stolen base, run scored. AVG: .312
(3rd/CF/CG9)
Game 81, July 4: 2-4, single, home run, run scored. AVG: .312
(3rd/LF/CG9)
(3rd/LF/CG9)
^^Michael starts triple play with his 10th OF assist^^
Game 80, July 2: 0-4, reached on fielding error (first at bat), walk, stolen base, run scored. AVG: .312
(3rd/CF/CG9)
Game 81, July 4: 2-4, single, home run, run scored. AVG: .312
(3rd/LF/CG9)
Game 82, July 5: 3-5, single (first at bat), single, run scored, RBI single. AVG: .319
(3rd/LF – 8 i, CF – 1 i/CG9)
Game 83, July 6: 2-4, single, RBI single. AVG: .321
(3rd/CF/CG9)
Game 84, July 7: 2-4, single, single. AVG: .323
(3rd/CF/CG9)
Game 85, July 8: 3-4, RBI double (first at bat), RBI double, home run, run scored. AVG: .328
(3rd/CF/CG9)
Game 86, July 9: 1-6, single (first at bat), run
scored, walk. AVG: .325
(3rd/CF/CG14)
Game 87, July 10: 2-4, single (first at bat), RBI sac fly, RBI single, run scored. AVG: .327
(3rd/CF/CG9)
(3rd/CF/CG14)
Game 87, July 10: 2-4, single (first at bat), RBI sac fly, RBI single, run scored. AVG: .327
(3rd/CF/CG9)
Game 88/July 11: 1-4, single, run scored.
AVG: .327
(3rd/CF/CG9)
Game 89/July 12: 1-4, home run, run scored. AVG: .326
(3rd/CF/CG9)
**Michael's 9-game hitting streak and 11-game reached base streak end**
Game 90/July 13: 0-4. AVG: .322
(3rd/CF/CG9)
Michael's 1st half went beyond my wildest dreams. he's doing great in every facet of the game. but if i had to pinpoint a few areas that i'd like to see him improve in, i'd say his BA with 2 outs and runners in scoring position and his left-handed pitching BA. and i want him to work the count more, and maybe draw more walks and steal more bases. other than that, he's doing absolutely amazing and as long as he remains healthy, i expect nothing short of the same after the All Star break.
Michael is not getting much of a break this year, though he really deserves one. but he will be participating in the All Star festivities because he was selected to the 85th annual All Star game in Minneapolis, Minnesota for the first time in his career. i hope he has a great time and can keep his momentum going in the 2nd half of the season. i'm so proud of my boy. Go Brantley! Go Tribe!
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