SPECULATOR: Searching for the next Michael Brantley

An annual preseason rite here in the Speculator space is identifying a breakout performance from the previous season, and constructing a profile that might help identify candidates for a similar step up in the current year. 

But talk about big shoes to fill. While normal author Ray Murphy is one of faces leading our First Pitch Forums Midwest stops this weekend, he tapped me to take a swing at this topic. Why the big shoes? Well, because last year, as Ray looked for the next Carlos Gómez, three of his candidates were Corey Dickerson, Christian Yelich, and Kole Calhoun.

Tough act to follow, but we'll give it whirl.

Michael Brantley (OF, CLE) was one of the surprises of 2014, no doubt. A quick scan of his year-by-year BPI:

Year   AB  ...

Almost!

You’re just a few clicks away from accessing this feature and hundreds more throughout the year that have a singular goal in mind: Winning your league. Subscribe to BaseballHQ.com here!

Already a subscriber? Sign in here

More From Speculator

Our annual exercise checking in on the MLB returns from this year's rookie class, and speculating on revised outlooks going forward.
Jul 30 2025 3:09am
QBaB scores have been integrated into the site this year, so let's take them for a spin.
Jul 23 2025 3:07am
They'll be entering uncharted workload territory come September, so it's best you develop some contingency plans ahead of time.
Jul 16 2025 3:09am
An annual exercise looking at players most likely to be traded, and more importantly, speculate on who might step in.
Jul 9 2025 3:06am
They weren't drafted early, but they've delivered. We'll name a speculative 1H All-Star Team and speculate on their second half.
Jul 2 2025 3:09am

Tools