Spring Training: Rob Brantly’s Bat Heating Up

Jul 2, 2013; Atlanta, GA, USA; Miami Marlins catcher Rob Brantly (19) fields a ground ball for an out in the sixth inning against the Atlanta Braves at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports

How’s this for a shocker, Rob Brantly is actually hitting again. (I know, kind of strange writing that sentence)

It’s true, whenever given the opportunity to bat for the Marlins, catcher Rob Brantly is finally actually doing damage to the ball. Acquired in the Anibal Sanchez–Omar Infante trade, along with Jacob Turner and Brian Flynn, last season was a disaster for the young catcher. He hit a  paltry .211 and played a terrible defense behind the plate. Safe to say, it was a disappointment for the team and for Brantly.

However, Brantly has come to play, as his inflated .462 batting average in his 13 at bats show. Of course, this is Spring training and stats are kind of useless during this time, but at least Brantly came to camp with a goal of playing well. I desperately want Brantly to succeed for the Marlins at the Major League Level and I think this is a first good step in the recovery. He’s also been receiving the ball decently well on the defensive end. I want Brantly to be part of the catching tandem of the future and I think he still has a chance with the team.

If he continues to hit well and learn how to play better defense while in Triple A this year, we may see the organization give him a chance to play in the big leagues behind Jarod Saltalamacchia. We’ll see what happens, but there is no one rooting for Brantly more than me.

Good Luck to Brantly and Go Marlins!