Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Brantley's 2012 Spring Training #s and My Expectations

Brantley's 2012 Spring Training #s are as follows:
 
batting average: .286

OBP: .367

SLG: .571

OPS: .939


Michael played in 16 spring training games. he missed a week with a tight right hamstring. because of this, his numbers resulted from only 42 at bats, a low for him in ST.

he did however have:

2 home runs, his first ever in ST

7 RBIs

4 doubles

1 triple

6 walks

6 strikeouts

0 stolen bases and was caught stealing once. had he not had the hamstring injury, i imagine he would have attempted to steal more.

he also scored 5 runs.


his offseason routine was altered due to him still recovering from his August 31, 2011 hamate surgery. normally he would have worked with his father taking swings every day, and he had to really cut that back to ensure his recovery would be 100% and that he'd be ready to go for the 2012 season. all things considered, i think he still fared well in Spring Training this year.


here are my game-by-game notes and numbers.

1st game: 2-3, leadoff double, run scored. AVG: .666

2nd game: 1-3, leadoff triple, run scored. AVG: .500

3rd game: 3-4, leadoff single, run scored, single, RBI double. AVG: .600

4th game: 0-2, walk. AVG: .500

5th game: 0-1, RBI sac fly, walk. AVG: .462

6th game: 0-3. AVG: .375

7th game: 0-1, leadoff walk, caught stealing, walk. AVG: .353

8th game: 1-4, 2-run double. AVG: .333

9th game: 0-3. AVG: .292

10th game: 0-1. left game with tight hamstring. AVG: .280

11th game: 1-2, single. AVG: .296

12th game: 1-3, home run. AVG: .300

13th game: 0-2, walk. AVG: .281

14th game: 2-4, leadoff home run, double. AVG: .306

15th game: 0-3, walk, fielder's choice RBI. AVG: .282

16th game: 1-3, single. AVG: .286

Brantley also had an RBI in the game the Indians played against the Mudcats.


my expectations for Brantley, assuming he stays healthy and plays a full season, are that he maintain a batting average between .280-290. will that be enough for Tribe fans to be content with his production and not consider him a mediocre player? i think he's got a chance to hit 10-12 home runs this year and drive in 50-60 runs. i love him in the leadoff spot and think he will get on base and set the table plenty. i wanna see him steal around 20 bases, because i believe he can. i also expect to get his autograph on my baseball card this year too lol


my prediction for the Tribe's 2012 season, assuming everyone plays to the max of their abilities and we don't get hit with too many major injuries, is we go 84-78. yeah, that seems high, i know. but you won't see me going into the season being negative, i don't operate that way. last year i said we'd finish 82-80, and we were 80-82.

what can make a difference this year that we didn't have last year:

--a full season with Kipnis in the lineup

--not losing Brantley for most of August and all of September

--Choo getting back to his normal Choo self

--improved defense at 1st base and possibly a better batting average coming from there as well

if we can get a decent left fielder at some point, and if Jimenez can pitch somewhat respectably, i think we can improve from last season. will that be enough to win our division though? probably not. will it be good enough for the 2nd wild card spot? here's hoping. i'm all in for 162 regardless and i'm very excited that the season is about to get started again. LET'S GO TRIBE!

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