SPECULATOR: Searching for the next Michael Brantley
Mar 1 2015
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 pitting current players on the age-old 10-step path to prospect stardom list.
Jun 11 2025 3:06am
Jun 11 2025 3:06am
Two-plus months into the season, we'll use QBaB to see who's making the best quality of contact, and speculate on their outlook going forward.
Jun 4 2025 3:09am
Jun 4 2025 3:09am
After last week's in-season "UP"side column, it's time to strike a more pessimistic tune.
May 28 2025 3:07am
May 28 2025 3:07am
We'll take a page from the Baseball Forecaster with a new batch of "UP"side projections based on 2025's early returns.
May 21 2025 3:06am
May 21 2025 3:06am
Starters who have had one (just one!) bad start, and what things would look like if we give them a mulligan
May 14 2025 3:10am
May 14 2025 3:10am
