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Seattle Mariners: Rob Brantly Aiming to Turn Career Around in Seattle

By Paul Taylor

Mar 4, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Chicago White Sox catcher Rob Brantly against the Los Angeles Dodgers during a spring training baseball game at Camelback Ranch. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 4, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Chicago White Sox catcher Rob Brantly against the Los Angeles Dodgers during a spring training baseball game at Camelback Ranch. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Previously viewed as a top prospect in Miami, catcher Rob Brantly is now looking to get his career back on track with the Seattle Mariners.

The Seattle Mariners have added some depth to the catcher position, with the acquisition of Rob Brantly. The move was confirmed by Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times.

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It’s not entirely clear why the Chicago White Sox decided to place Brantly on waivers at this point. Regardless, the Mariners moved quickly, in the process providing Steve Clevenger with competition for the back up role behind the plate.

This is an intriguing decision by the Seattle front office, to bring in the 2010 third round draft pick. At one point, Brantly was perceived as a top prospect within the Miami Marlins organization.

However, things have not quite panned out as expected for the 26-year old. After a promising start to his Major League career in 2012, he dipped badly, before being claimed off waivers by the White Sox at the end of 2014.

Last year, Brantly missed an early part of the season with an avulsion fracture in his left thumb. It set the tone for the campaign, limiting him to just 14 appearances for Chicago.

Now, the San Diego, California native is eager to prove himself, and did not hesitate to meet up with his new teammates on Saturday. Speaking to Divish, he said: “They asked me if I wanted to come today and I said, ‘of course, absolutely, I’m excited to get there and join the team.”

Seattle Mariners
Dec 9, 2015; Nashville, TN, USA; Seattle Mariners manager Scott Servais speaks with the media during the MLB winter meetings at Gaylord Opryland Resort . Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports /

While Brantly welcomes the new opportunity, the pressure is on him to make an immediate impression. He is out of minor league options, meaning he will have to be designated for assignment if he doesn’t make the opening day roster.

One thing which helps, is that Scott Servais is familiar with what Brantly brings. The Mariners manager previously saw him play in Triple-A, when he was assistant GM with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

Servais told Divish: “He has a very good track record offensively in the minor leagues. He’s a left-handed hitter, still young with some big-league time under his belt.

“It creates a little bit more depth for us there and we will see what plays out. Everyone here is competing for a job -we will throw him in the mix and see what happens.”

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At this point of his career, that’s all Brantly could ask for. To make room for him on the 40-man roster, Ryan Cook has been placed on the 60-day disabled list.

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