RADIO
BALLER MOVE: Target ~140
CURRENT ADP: ~183
ANALYSIS: Fantasy owners and Cleveland Indians' fans alike would tell you that 2016 was about as disappointing of a season as possible for Michael Brantley. Coming off of two stellar seasons in 2014 and 2015, Brantley managed to stay on the field for only 11 games and was unable to provide either his real team or any fantasy teams with production over the season. But there is plenty of reasons to be optimistic for Brantley in 2017.
For starters, he is finally (supposedly) healthy and ready to go. The Indians are being very patient with him and have provided him with a lot of rest lately, but he looks to be all set to start Opening Day for Cleveland. Some owners are concerned that because he will be limited early in the season that his production might suffer, but just look at what Brantley did in 137 games in 2015: .310/.379/.480 slash line, 15 HR and 15 SB. He will now also be batting in the middle of a much more potent lineup than he saw in 2015 as he is surrounded by the likes of Edwin Encarnacion, Francisco Lindor, Jason Kipnis, Jose Ramirez and (eventually) Bradley Zimmer.
Brantley's power/speed combination is one of the best in Major League Baseball and the fact that he is healthy should make him one of the top outfield choices in 2017 drafts. The injury risk does lower his value a bit, but he could be one of the best comeback players of the year and provide fantasy owners with insane production for a mid-round draft pick.
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