Offense It's amazing how often Phillips smiled for having such a sucky 2008 (.261 BA, .312 OBP, .442 SLG), a disappointing drop-off from a breakthrough 2007 (.288 BA, .331 OBP, .485 SLG). Brandon swings so hard that when he misses he spins around twice. Contact, Brandon. Contact.
Defense
Because Brandon plays for the Reds, he is one of our best players. If he were on another team, he would be one of their better players. Of the seven everyday second basemen in the 2008 National League (3.1 Plate Appearances per game average qualifies as everyday according to ESPN), Brandon had the 5th best production behind Chase "God" Utley, Dan Uggla, Mark DeRosa and Kelly Johnson (that's right), and we're not counting Kaz Matsui, Orlando Hudson, Mike Fontenot (really?) and Ray "I will never retire" Durham, all of whom outhit Brandon in their incomplete seasons. Even in Brandon's breakthrough 2007, there were other NL second basemen who churned out stronger and more effecient numbers--God Utley, Jeff Kent, Hudson and that pesky Kelly Johnson. But Brandon gets bonus points for his speed (84 of 111 Stolen Bases in 3 years), his official Gold Glove status and his youth (he turns 28 in June).
STAT WATCH: If Brandon wants automatic consideration as a Top 5 NL second baseman (a status which most Reds fans have erroneously given him) he needs to start hitting for average and getting on base. He will never be Chase Utley, who can do anything he wants, and he isn't a true beefcake like Dan Uggla or Jeff Kent. He needs to study Orlando Hudson and Kelly Johnson, who effeciently set the table for the meat-eaters. Dusty should bat Brandon 2nd, never in the middle. Brandon, if you hit .290 with a .345 OBP, then good things will come to the Reds.
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