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After posting a near-.300 batting average in his first 31 games in 2012, Miami Marlins catcher Rob Brantly did not live up to the hype he set for himself this season. In fact, Brantly had such a poor season that he lost his job to Jeff Mathis and Koyie Hill at one point or another. This is not going to help Brantly’s confidence heading into 2014.
It is expected that he will get a fair shot to compete for the starting catcher job in the beginning of the season. However, if he posts the same numbers as he did this season, he is not going to be with the Marlins for much longer. In 67 games, Brantly batted .211/.263/.265 with 18 RBI as he struck out 53 times. The only thing you may be able to credit him for is how he did defensively. Brantly increased his Defensive WAR from -0.0 to 0.1 but on the opposite end of the spectrum, he allowed a league-leading nine passed balls.
Related: Miami Marlins Rumors: Team Needs To Leave Josh Johnson Alone
Something has to give with Brantly because the pressure surrounding him is going to increase and it is going to get greater during the middle of the 2014 season. Miami has J.T. Realmuto waiting in line to take Brantly’s job. Realmuto has some serious potential and will most likely be a better option than Brantly.
Another season below the Mendoza line is not what Brantly or the Marlins can afford at this point.
Ryan Gaydos is a MLB columnist for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter, “like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.
