#9 Starting Pitcher: Rod Brantley

Our #9 starting pitcher is the first player to make one of my top 10 lists who has already moved on to professional baseball: Rod Brantley signed a free agent contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers close to the end of the season. This didn't help the Turks much for the playoffs, as Brantley was one of the rotation's mainstays throughout the season. He finished 2-2, 2.12, with a 1.09 WHIP, 4.4 BB/9, 7.7 K/9, and .176 opponent's batting average.  He pitched in 7 games, and threw 46 2/3 innings. He threw one of those games after it was determined that he would sign with the Dodgers; I think everyone was relieved that he didn't hurt himself.

In the league, Brantley finished fifth in ERA and 3rd in opponent's batting average.

Brantley was well known in the league for one other reason: he was the loudest cheerleader for the Turks. He was constantly barking out support for his teammates, often standing outside the dugout with a huge gallon jug of water.  He would bounce the jug against his leg while he was creating new ways to "talk it up."  He was a little bit like the "Korean Rock, Paper, Scissors," which was the trademark of the Woodstock RiverBandits- fun to watch, just to see what might happen next.

After moving on from the Turks, Brantley finished 2-2, 5.08, with a 1.41 WHIP, 3.5 BB/9, and 6.9 K/9 in 39 innings for the Ogden Raptors in the Pioneer League.

Below is the best picture I could find of Brantley (taken by Haymarket Joe- no surprise there)- Rod (#13) is standing to Coach Wease's left: