Ranks: NL Central Second Basemen

1. Brandon Phillips, 28--CIN
2. Kaz Matsui, 33--HOU
3. Rickie Weeks, 26--MIL
4. Freddy Sanchez, 31--PIT
5. Mike Fontinot, 29--CHI
6. Aaron Miles, 33--CHI
7. Adam Kennedy, 33--STL

Brandon Phillips is number one. No questions here. It's a combination of two things really:
1.) He has speed, power, glove, youth and a winning smile.
2.) The others are essentially trade bait. They've all had a good season or two (except for Kennedy and Miles who are just terrible) which gives them each more value than a minor leaguer. Matsui looks more promising every year but keeps getting older and older. Weeks is the exact opposite (yes, he gets younger and younger). Sanchez plays for Pittsburgh which means he is incapable of amounting to anything for the rest of his life. Mike Fontinot had a year similar to Jeff Keppinger in 2007 but he still finds himself behind Aaron Miles on the Cubs depth chart, probably because he can only move two feet laterally to each side (life = cruel).

I was a bit harsh on Phillips in my scouting report, but my cell phone wasn't charged and I let my Cheerios get soggy that morning. I still think he swings too hard and doesn't get on base enough, but one can only be so perfect. Even if Brandon never does the 30/30 thing again, I'll be fine as long as he brings the D, gets OB and cuts the Ks. It's tough for NL second basemen these days. They seem to be dying off (Kent,...and...Kent). There's Mr. Utley, and who else? Dan Uggla, Kelly Johnson, Orlando Hudson? I guess it's Brandon Phillips.

Scouting Report: Brandon Phillips

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

A much-deserved Gold-Glove.

Overall

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.