Michael Brantley (OF, CLE) - Week 5 Waiver Wire Pickups

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ANALYSIS: Cleveland Indians outfielder Michael Brantley has bounced back from an offseason ankle injury to fuel the offense for the Indians, hitting .344 this season in 15 games. He has seven extra-base hits in 61 at-bats this season, posting a .900 OPS and showing power that he has not displayed since 2015.

While Brantley had his best offensive seasons in 2014 and 2015, he has seen his hard hit ball rate jump in each of the last three seasons (up from a full season best 33.9% in 2017 to 36.2% this season). Hitting the ball harder is better, but Brantley is also hitting the ball on the ground less, hitting 24.1% line drives and 36.2% fly balls. He has also stolen a base this season and, while he may not be the 20 stolen base threat that he was in 2014, he did have 11 stolen bases last season and could be a double digit steal player.

Matchups against the Rangers and Blue Jays are also solid for Brantley and the Indians, as Brantley usually hits in the middle of the lineup. He is a good addition as a streamer this week and has OF3 upside if he keeps up his strong start to the season.