Local Product Shining in Pro Ball

All season long at 1045theteam.com, we've been chronicling the local Section II products that are playing in professional baseball.

We've talked to nearly all of them, whether it be Jeff Hoffman, Branden Cogswell, JP Sportman, Matt Gage, Brian O'Keefe, Jaime Schultz, and today, we added Justin Brantley.

Brantley, a Hudson High School graduate and a product of Siena College, is currently dominating for the Advanced Class A affiliate of the Cleveland Indians.

He's currently got a 2.33 ERA in nine games out of the bullpen while holding opponents to a .194 batting average for the Lynchburg Hillcats.

Brantley has some family connections with the Indians, as his cousin Michael is a all-star outfielder for the major league club.

We spoke with Brantley today about the adjustments he's made in pro ball, the benefits of being a reliever, Terry Francona, and one great story that involved his cousin and him in Spring Training.

Finally, since we've been talking about the Albany Twilight League, we spoke with Brantley about his time playing for the Albany Athletics.