Del.icio.us
Digg
Facebook
Furl
Google
Reddit
Stumbleupon
Y! MyWebThe audible commentary
Fantasy crushed with a look at Phillips' numbers
Saturday, July 12, 2008
I learned the hard way that the Cincinnati Reds have something quite special in second baseman Brandon Phillips. When conversations about the best players in the game come up, Phillips is not on the radar, but he should show up like swarms of F-15s.
I received a trade offer in my fantasy league the other day, someone wanting Phillips. I get those all the time because fantasy freaks know a star when they see one. My position was he was untouchable until the last offer threw in Matt Holliday and Johan Santana.
I couldn't resist, but while comparing stats I was sure Holliday would have the edge because he is very much on the radar. He was the National League MVP runner-up last season. To my surprise, Holliday's edge over Phillips was barely there. Going into games Friday, July 11, Holliday had 14 home runs, 51 RBIs, 13 stolen bases and a .343 batting average. That's why Web sites call him a superstar.
Phillips had 15 home runs, 58 RBIs, 19 stolen bases and a .287 average, and no one calls him a superstar, or an All-Star. On Thursday, fans elected Evan Longoria of the Tampa Bay Rays and Corey Hart of the Milwaukee Brewers to the American League and National League All-Star teams. Longoria had 16 homers, 53 RBIs, six steals and a .281 average. Hart had 15 homers, 57 RBIs, 13 stolen bases and a .292 average. So Phillips hits at an All-Star level, and remember last season he slugged 30 home runs and stole 32 bases.
And, at least as important as the offensive stats, is Phillips' defensive play. He is arguably the best at his position in the game. As Bum Phillips once said, "I don't know if he's in a class of his own, but it don't take long to call the roll."
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2160
or gsimms@DaytonDailyNews.com.
