News
Brantley set to burst onto MLB scene
Cleveland (58-73) at Detroit (70-61), 7:05 p.m. ET
By Anthony Castrovince / MLB.com
09/01/09 11:35 PM ET
DETROIT -- Clubhouse access has its privileges. When he was a kid, Michael Brantley had access to many a Major League clubhouse, thanks to his father, Mickey, a former Mariners outfielder and Blue Jays hitting coach. Brantley once listened in as Hall of Famer Rickey Henderson talked to his teammates about the art of the stolen base. It was a talk that resonated with the young Brantley, who viewed speed as a major element to his burgeoning game. Now, Brantley, who was called up from Triple-A Columbus in advance of the Tribe's three-game series with the Tigers that continues Wednesday night, is bringing that speed to an Indians team that has been reshaped by trades and Minor League promotions. This is a more athletic ballclub than the one that broke camp what feels like ages ago, and Brantley, who swiped 46 bags in 51 tries with the Clippers, only adds to that element. "I've been trying to excel in that part of my game," Brantley said. "I learned a lot from the [Columbus] hitting coach, Jon Nunnally, about different pitches, picking up on tendencies and different things you're going to see at different levels." Brantley, the player to be named in last year's trade that sent CC Sabathia to Milwaukee, was 28-for-36 in stolen-base attempts at Double-A Huntsville in the Brewers' system last year, and he upped the ante this season. With his speed and his ability to draw walks, the 22-year-old projects to be a leadoff hitter. He also happens to be most comfortable in center field. For now, the leadoff spot and center field are Grady Sizemore's domains. But as the Indians ponder shutting down Sizemore at some point this month so he can have arthroscopic surgery on his ailing left elbow a little earlier than originally anticipated, Brantley could get plenty of playing time down the stretch. Cleveland manager Eric Wedge plans to use him in both center field and left. Brantley got his first chance immediately Tuesday night, getting the start in left field and in the No. 9 hole in the lineup. He grounded into a double play in his first Major League at-bat, but he recovered with a single and a run scored in his second. Brantley is not yet a finished product, as evidenced by his .267 average and .711 OPS in his first exposure to Triple-A this season. But after struggling mightily at the outset of the season, he improved as the year went along. "It was more of a mental factor," Brantley said. "I was just learning the game more. I wasn't really comprehending what pitchers were trying to do to me. Once I started to figure that out, I started to go up from there." While more Triple-A seasoning might be in Brantley's future next season, this first taste of the big leagues gives him a prime opportunity to get comfortable at this level. "Whenever I get a chance to play, I'm going to do so to the best of my abilities," he said. "And when I don't, I'm going to sit back and listen and learn." Just like when he was a kid. Pitching matchupCLE: LHP Aaron Laffey (7-3, 3.40 ERA)
Laffey turned in another strong performance in Thursday's 5-4 victory over the Orioles, even though he didn't get the win. He gave up three runs on five hits in 5 2/3 innings and left trailing, 3-2. But the Indians rallied to win on a late Andy Marte two-run homer. Laffey was solid in August, going 3-0 with two no-decisions and continuing to develop into a strong pitcher. He's made 13 starts and pitched in 19 games overall this season. DET: RHP Rick Porcello (11-8, 4.27 ERA)
Not since Dave Rozema's 15-win rookie season in 1977 had a Tigers pitcher won this many games before his 21st birthday. Rozema won 11 before turning 21 in August of his season. Porcello won't turn 21 until after the season ends. His latest win came from 5 2/3 innings of one-run ball against the Rays on Friday night at Comerica Park, where he showed off a power fastball to throw hitters off his sinkerball that was so successful in the season's first half. He's 1-0 with a 1.38 ERA in two starts against the Indians, who have managed just two runs on nine hits in 13 innings against him. Tidbits
Marte's homer on Tuesday night was his fourth in seven games. "The last week to 10 days, he's really found his swing," Wedge said. "It's great to see, because he's a great kid. He's never given in to the fight or the frustration." ... Kerry Wood was available out of the bullpen Tuesday night after a minor bout with shoulder stiffness, but he was not called upon. ... The August deadline for clubs to add players eligible for postseason rosters passed, and free-agent-to-be Jamey Carroll wasn't moved. He was not surprised. "I'm a utility guy," Carroll said. "When's the last time a utility guy was traded?" ... The Indians traded Minor League left-hander Bobby Livingston to the Pirates for cash. ... The Indians organization was named one of the best workplaces in Northeast Ohio by NorthCoast 99, an annual recognition program that honors 99 workplaces for top talent in the region. The program was developed and is presented by the Employer's Resource Council. ... For more info and analysis, visit the CastroTurf blog at http://castrovince.mlblogs.com. Tickets
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• Thursday: Indians (Fausto Carmona, 3-9, 6.20) at Tigers (Nate Robertson, 1-1, 6.84), 1:05 p.m. ET
• Friday: Indians (Jeremy Sowers, 5-9, 4.88) vs. Twins (Carl Pavano, 11-10, 5.11), 7:05 p.m. ET
• Saturday: Indians (Justin Masterson, 4-6, 4.57) vs. Twins (Scott Baker, 12-7, 4.44), 4:10 p.m. ET
Anthony Castrovince is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
