Cleveland Indians: Top 5 players from the first half of 2018

Michael Brantley

Was there anyone in the Indians fan base that wasn’t a little concerned after the Tribe extended Michael Brantley before this year? Everyone thought that his injury history would plague his season and that the team had placed too much trust in him.

Needless to say Michael Brantley proved everybody wrong. The only players on the Tribe roster with a higher batting average than Brantley are Lonnie Chisenhall, who is injured; and *squints* Shane Bieber in three at-bats? Brantley has a .303 batting average.

The month of May was exceptionally kind to Brantley. He had a .977 OPS and slugged .579 with 26 of his 56 RBIs. He earned himself his second consecutive All-Star Game nod and has been the one constant in the Indians outfield this year.

If there are any remaining Brantley doubters out there, seeing how incredible he’s been when healthy is all the proof you need that this extension has been worth it. If he is able to stay healthy for the whole season, Brantley will be a game-changer in the second half for the Tribe.

The Indians will likely have to trade for an outfielder with the injuries they’ve seen to Bradley Zimmer and Chisenhall. No matter who the Indians go after, it will be comforting to know they’ll have Michael Brantley there at their side.