Michael Brantley is a former professional baseball player who spent his career playing in the Major Leagues. He was born on May 15, 1987, in Bellevue, Washington, and grew up in Port St. Lucie, Florida. Brantley was drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in the seventh round of the 2005 MLB draft, and he made his Major League debut with the Cleveland Indians in 2009.
Throughout his career, Brantley was known for his consistency and his ability to hit for both average and power. He was a three-time All-Star and won a Silver Slugger award in 2014. Brantley was also a finalist for the American League MVP award in 2014, when he hit .327 with 20 home runs and 97 RBI.
Brantley spent most of his career with the Cleveland Indians, where he played from 2009 to 2018. During his time with the Indians, Brantley was a key part of the team's success, helping them reach the playoffs five times and the World Series in 2016. In that World Series, Brantley hit .231 with one home run and three RBI.
After the 2018 season, Brantley became a free agent and signed with the Houston Astros. He played two seasons with the Astros, helping them reach the playoffs both years. In 2020, Brantley hit .300 with five home runs and 22 RBI in 46 games during the shortened season.
Overall, Brantley had a successful career in the Major Leagues, finishing with a career batting average of .297, 114 home runs, and 640 RBI. He was known for his consistency at the plate and his ability to play multiple positions in the outfield. Brantley was also respected by his teammates and coaches for his work ethic and leadership on and off the field.
In March 2021, Brantley signed a two-year contract with the Astros, but he suffered a hamstring injury early in the season that caused him to miss several games. Despite the injury, Brantley continued to be a productive player for the Astros, hitting .311 with five home runs and 22 RBI in 67 games. At the end of the 2021 season, Brantley became a free agent once again, and it is unclear if he will continue his baseball career in the future.
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