Michael Brantley
Encyclopedia
Michael Charles Brantley, Jr. (born May 15, 1987 in Bellevue, Washington
) is a Major League Baseball
outfielder
who plays for the Cleveland Indians
. He is the son of former MLB player and coach Mickey Brantley
.
Grew up in Port St. Lucie, Florida and attended school at Ft. Pierce Central High School as a star athlete.
He was drafted by Milwaukee
in the seventh round of the 2005 amateur entry draft
. In 2005 he played for their Rookie league Helena Brewers
and Arizona Brewers. He was promoted to the Class A West Virginia Power
in 2006. In 2007, Brantley split his time between West Virginia and the Double-A Huntsville
.
In 2008, he was involved in a trade that sent him and Matt LaPorta to the Cleveland Indians
for C.C. Sabathia
. Near the end of the 2009 season, he was called up to the Indians to replace the injured Grady Sizemore
in center field. In his time there, he hit .313 with 11 RBIs.
On July 4, 2010, he was called up to the majors again to fill in for the injured Shin-Soo Choo
. Thus far in 2011, Brantley is having his best year, serving in left field and center field, and helping the Indians to a surprising start.
Bellevue, Washington
Bellevue is a city in the Eastside region of King County, Washington, United States, across Lake Washington from Seattle. Long known as a suburb or satellite city of Seattle, it is now categorized as an edge city or a boomburb. The population was 122,363 at the 2010 census.Downtown Bellevue is...
) is a Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
outfielder
Outfielder
Outfielder is a generic term applied to each of the people playing in the three defensive positions in baseball farthest from the batter. These defenders are the left fielder, the center fielder, and the right fielder...
who plays for the Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
. He is the son of former MLB player and coach Mickey Brantley
Mickey Brantley
Michael Charles "Mickey" Brantley is a former Major League Baseball player. He was the hitting coach for the Toronto Blue Jays from early to September ....
.
Grew up in Port St. Lucie, Florida and attended school at Ft. Pierce Central High School as a star athlete.
He was drafted by Milwaukee
Milwaukee Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
in the seventh round of the 2005 amateur entry draft
2005 Major League Baseball Draft
The 2005 First-Year Player Draft, Major League Baseball's annual amateur draft, was held on June 7 and 8. It was conducted via conference call with representatives from each of the league's 30 teams...
. In 2005 he played for their Rookie league Helena Brewers
Helena Brewers
The Helena Brewers are a minor league baseball team in the Pioneer League and are the Advanced Rookie League affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers. They are located in Helena, Montana...
and Arizona Brewers. He was promoted to the Class A West Virginia Power
West Virginia Power
This article is about the baseball team, for the electric utility serving southeast West Virginia from 1986-99, see Allegheny Energy.The West Virginia Power is a minor league baseball team of the South Atlantic League, and is the Class A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates. They are located in...
in 2006. In 2007, Brantley split his time between West Virginia and the Double-A Huntsville
Huntsville Stars
The Huntsville Stars are a minor league baseball team of the Southern League and are the Double-A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers. They are located in Huntsville, Alabama and are named for the space industry with which Huntsville is economically tied .The Stars play their home games at Joe W...
.
In 2008, he was involved in a trade that sent him and Matt LaPorta to the Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
for C.C. Sabathia
C.C. Sabathia
Carsten Charles "CC" Sabathia is an American professional baseball pitcher with the New York Yankees of Major League Baseball...
. Near the end of the 2009 season, he was called up to the Indians to replace the injured Grady Sizemore
Grady Sizemore
Gradius "Grady" Sizemore III is an American professional baseball outfielder with the Cleveland Indians of Major League Baseball.-Early life:...
in center field. In his time there, he hit .313 with 11 RBIs.
On July 4, 2010, he was called up to the majors again to fill in for the injured Shin-Soo Choo
Shin-Soo Choo
Shin-Soo Choo is a South Korean professional baseball outfielder with the Cleveland Indians of Major League Baseball in the United States.Choo was selected as the Most Valuable Player and Best Pitcher of the 2000 World Junior Baseball Championship as South Korea won the event...
. Thus far in 2011, Brantley is having his best year, serving in left field and center field, and helping the Indians to a surprising start.