Astros: 10 stats comparing Brantley and Reddick for an important decision
By Paul Conlon
The Houston Astros could be forced to choose between Michael Brantley and Josh Reddick soon. Which player shines the brightest? Let’s take a look.
During baseball’s hiatus, an overlooked stat linking Houston Astros teammates Michael Brantley and Josh Reddick speak volumes. You see, both corner outfielders are virtually tied in a very unique category.
Sure, both left-handed hitters are less than three months apart in age, stand 6-foot-2, weigh roughly 200 pounds, and positively contribute to their communities. But that’s not it—rather, by coincidence—both Brantley and Reddick will each hit the 1,200 regular-season game milestone within their first five appearances of the upcoming season.
As Brantley’s 1,199 and Reddick’s 1,995 career regular-season appearances are virtually equal, an opportunity exists to compare each player’s dominance in several major offensive and defensive categories.
And with the Astros’ front office possibly escalating their commitment to Kyle Tucker’s potential, Myles Straw‘s top-notch speed, and Yordan Alvarez‘s elite power production—as well as a conceivable George Springer contract renewal on the horizon—the day approaches when there may be only one corner outfield vacancy in Houston for two above-average veteran players.
This article offers the most elaborate insight out there into answering two pressing questions concerning Brantley and Reddick: Who has had the stronger career up to this point, and which Astro turned in the better 2019 campaign.
Before delving in, keep in mind that Brantley first tasted big league action as a September Call-up in 2009 with Cleveland. Whereas, Reddick debuted slightly beforehand in the dog days of summer of the same year for the Red Sox.
While Reddick was first to The Show, Brantley has accumulated 609 more plate appearances as a batter and 330 more innings as a fielder than his Astros teammate up to this point of their respective 11-year careers. This translates to Brantley having played the equivalent of nearly 40 more 9-inning games than Reddick as an outfielder.
Lastly, remember—these numbers only represent regular-season production. Without further ado, let’s get to it.