The Unsung Hero

After the Indians beat the Tigers on a walk-off balk, I couldn't help but notice the one guy throughout the series that was the thorn in the Tigers' side: Michael Brantley. Brantley, who just turned 27 6 days ago, is known as Dr. Smooth to the Cleveland faithful, and though a lot of people don't know it yet, I think Brantley has the tools to win an MVP in his career. 

Brantley was born out in Washington state and was drafted originally by the Brewers in the 2005 draft right out of high school. As a young 18-year old in rookie ball

, Brantley hit .343 in 54 games (2 teams) with 28 walks and 16 steals. Each following year, Brantley found himself at a higher level of the game, and still hitting well. In 2006, he hit .300. In 2007, he hit .296. In 2008, he hit .319. It was getting better and better for Brantley, and then came a change of scenery.

Brantley's Brewers finished 83-79 in 2007, good enough for 2nd in the NL Central.  Deciding that the team needed more pitching to make that final push to the playoffs, they made a deal with Cleveland to bring ace CC Sabathia to Milwaukee in return for Matt LaPorta, Zach Jackson, Rob Bryson, and a player to be named later - which would eventually be Brantley. Indians GM Mark Shapiro was quoted in 2008 saying why he liked Brantley: "We like him because he gives us a combination of plate discipline, speed and athleticism."

Well, that's exactly what they got. 

Brantley has continued to hit at the Major League level, though not as torrid as he was in the minors - but keep in mind, he's only 27 and has been getting better ever since. Since 2010, his batting average has increased every single year, with the exception of '12-'13 when it dipped 4 points from .288 to .284 (still not bad). Currently, he is hitting .291 with 9 home runs and 33 RBI (as of May 20) and is slugging .515 - in a park that is routinely in the top 5 for pitcher friendliness (Progressive Field).

But let's look at the bigger picture. I said earlier that he has MVP capability - I don't mean by talent but by actual value. He's not as talented of a hitter as Pujols or Cabrera, there is no getting around that, but in terms of his actual value, he is right up there. Before play began today, the Indians were 21-25 and last in the AL Central. They are missing Jason Kipnis, Jason Giambi (trainer must not like dudes named Jason), their ace (Justin Masterson) is putting up aggressively average numbers and their new closer (John Axford) is replicating the exact behavior the Indians hated in their last closer (Chris Perez). Nick Swisher, a catalyst and leader, is hitting .211. Carlos Santana, another leader, is hitting .151. Shockingly low at this point in the season for hitters of this caliber. Michael Bourn, their best base stealer and leadoff hitter, has been suffering from a nagging hamstring injury and cannot steal bases nor play an effective centerfield. The wheels are falling off the bus in Cleveland.

Brantley is doing all he can to make that bus run again. 

This series against the Tigers, Brantley brought the thunder. There is no other way to put it. On Monday night, he walked off the Tigers in the bottom of the tenth. Last night, he went 1-4, and today was another dagger, going 4-7 with 2 runs and 3 RBIs on the way to beating the Tigers in 13 innings. According to my MLB At Bat app, Brantley is now hitting .302 on the season, the highest on the Indians. In wins, Brantley is hitting 98 points higher than in losses (.342 vs. 244).

If that isn't value, I don't know what is.

In other news, Don Kelly drew two walks and scored a run.

Thanks for reading.