Don’t Pull the Plug on Brandon Phillips

Brandon Phillips is still looking for his form in Spring Season

By Greg Pokriki –

Even with his terrible numbers during spring training, it would be a major mistake to dismiss Brandon Phillips. The baseball community is always quick to judge, handing out proverbial MVP awards after just the first week of the season and Hall of Fame plaques after one solid season. In the same sense, baseball fans are just as quick to outcast a player after one down season, pushing him to the back burner to be ultimately forgotten. Brandon Phillips has fallen victim to the latter.

Though Phillips struggled last season, he’s only one season removed from an 18 home run, All Star season. He’s a lifetime .271 hitter and has knocked in over 70 RBI in seven of the last nine seasons. To not even consider him for your team would be a mistake.

Of course, there is some reason for reservation. Phillips is only 8-39 this spring putting him at a .205 average. He’s also coming off a significantly down season, though one that was slightly tainted by injury. He only played in 121 games and logged 499 at bats. His power severely dipped, hitting only eight home runs. However, he hasn’t hit any less than 17 in any other season since 2006. He logged only 51 RBI on the season as well. Phillips’ 1.7 WAR was his worst since 2006 as well.

Obviously last season was a disappointment for Phillips, but that doesn’t exclude him from any future success. He’s a talented and persevering personality who doesn’t take kindly to failure. The Reds as a whole are looking at a bounce back season. The lineup will have to be better than last year, and Phillips is not immune to that. If you can get Phillips at the right time or for the right price there is no reason not to add him to your squad. You may even get him as a sleeper if others in your league aren’t paying him the respect he deserves.

Fantasy Baseball – Trust Stats Over Opinions

When you play fantasy baseball, it’s very easy to get caught up in the hype.

The term “breakout year” is thrown around quite a bit by the experts in the fantasy sports world. But the fact is, when you find a potential “breakout” player with 3-4 years of mediocre batting or pitching stats, LEAVE HIM ON THE BOARD!

I actually salivate during a draft when I watch my fellow fantasy sports competitors scooping up a slew of mediocre players.

The fact of the matter is that more often than not, “breakout” players are nothing more than a bust or blown pick.

Don’t expect a .240 batter to start hitting .275.
Don’t expect an 8-game winner to win 13.
Don’t expect a player with 20 homers to put up 30.

Every year fantasy players scour the top-rated projections for the upcoming season. Forget the projections and instead make yourself familiar with the player stats from the previous season.

There’s a big difference between stats and opinions – Stats don’t lie. If a player hit .300 last year, there’s a good chance he will hit close to that same number again this season. 

So when you rank your top 50, 100 or 250 players – Look at the numbers and build your team on a foundation of common sense.

Fantasy sports really comes down to a “Moneyball” philosophy. Who gets the most base hits, the most homers, the most strikeouts and the most wins?

The only factors that severely impairs stats are injuries and trades, so find out which players are hurt and which ones are on new teams before you draft.

If you have a good grasp on player stats before your fantasy draft, you will start the season with a sizable advantage over the competition and a fantasy team that is built to win.

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Fantasy Baseball – Trust Stats Over Opinions

When you play fantasy baseball, it’s very easy to get caught up in the hype.

The term “breakout year” is thrown around quite a bit by the experts in the fantasy sports world. But the fact is, when you find a potential “breakout” player with 3-4 years of mediocre batting or pitching stats, LEAVE HIM ON THE BOARD!

I actually salivate during a draft when I watch my fellow fantasy sports competitors scooping up a slew of mediocre players.

The fact of the matter is that more often than not, “breakout” players are nothing more than a bust or blown pick.

Don’t expect a .240 batter to start hitting .275.
Don’t expect an 8-game winner to win 13.
Don’t expect a player with 20 homers to put up 30.

Every year fantasy players scour the top-rated projections for the upcoming season. Forget the projections and instead make yourself familiar with the player stats from the previous season.

There’s a big difference between stats and opinions – Stats don’t lie. If a player hit .300 last year, there’s a good chance he will hit close to that same number again this season. 

So when you rank your top 50, 100 or 250 players – Look at the numbers and build your team on a foundation of common sense.

Fantasy sports really comes down to a “Moneyball” philosophy. Who gets the most base hits, the most homers, the most strikeouts and the most wins?

The only factors that severely impairs stats are injuries and trades, so find out which players are hurt and which ones are on new teams before you draft.

If you have a good grasp on player stats before your fantasy draft, you will start the season with a sizable advantage over the competition and a fantasy team that is built to win.

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Fantasy Baseball – Three Keys to Building a Top Tier Team

     1. Target Top Players at Thin Positions

Keep an eye on solid players at weak positions in all fantasy drafts. There isn’t exactly a wealth of talented second baseman or catchers that can do much for your fantasy team, so securing the best of the bunch can be what launches a fantasy team to the next level.

Players such as Buster Posey (C, Giants) and Robinson Cano (2B, Yankees) will see their fantasy values soar above and beyond what their stats indicate due to the lack of depth that comes with their respective positions.

Make a play for a solid catcher and middle infielder early in all drafts, as it’s much easier to bet on a low-end outfielder or first-basemen rather than a low-end catcher or middle infielder.

     2. Stick With Your Sleepers

During the 2012 season, fantasy owners that took a chance on Washington Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper or Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout were rewarded with top tier numbers from inexpensive picks.

Trust your research and take a chance. Just be careful not to jump on a sleeper too early, as doing so will obviously not give owners enough bang for their buck.

 3. Don’t Plan Out the Entire Draft

For the most part, fantasy owners have a pretty clear view on who their top two draft picks will be due to the order the order of the draft.

Owners must adjust strategies based on what positions everyone else is drafting and roll with the punches.

If there is an early surge on outfielders and first-basemen and you find yourself with a late-round pick, grab a solid shortstop or catcher in order to ensure that you have at least one player who is the best at his position.

Fantasy Baseball – Three Keys to Building a Top Tier Team

     1. Target Top Players at Thin Positions

Keep an eye on solid players at weak positions in all fantasy drafts. There isn’t exactly a wealth of talented second baseman or catchers that can do much for your fantasy team, so securing the best of the bunch can be what launches a fantasy team to the next level.

Players such as Buster Posey (C, Giants) and Robinson Cano (2B, Yankees) will see their fantasy values soar above and beyond what their stats indicate due to the lack of depth that comes with their respective positions.

Make a play for a solid catcher and middle infielder early in all drafts, as it’s much easier to bet on a low-end outfielder or first-basemen rather than a low-end catcher or middle infielder.

     2. Stick With Your Sleepers

During the 2012 season, fantasy owners that took a chance on Washington Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper or Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout were rewarded with top tier numbers from inexpensive picks.

Trust your research and take a chance. Just be careful not to jump on a sleeper too early, as doing so will obviously not give owners enough bang for their buck.

 3. Don’t Plan Out the Entire Draft

For the most part, fantasy owners have a pretty clear view on who their top two draft picks will be due to the order the order of the draft.

Owners must adjust strategies based on what positions everyone else is drafting and roll with the punches.

If there is an early surge on outfielders and first-basemen and you find yourself with a late-round pick, grab a solid shortstop or catcher in order to ensure that you have at least one player who is the best at his position.