Brandon Phillips (2B, CIN) - Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in All Leagues with an MI Slot

OWNED IN: 25% of Fleaflicker Leagues

ANALYSIS: When a player is past his prime he becomes overlooked in a hurry. Brandon Phillips's days of All-Star appearances, Gold Gloves and MVP level performances are indeed in his rear view mirror at the age of 33. But for The Cincinnati Reds, Phillips still hits in the middle of the lineup and that means fantasy value!

Why should you get excited for a career .270 hitter who doesn't steal bases and fluctuates with RBI totals between 50 and 90? The simple answer is because he hits in a prime position for high fantasy counting stats as a MI. Even though Phillips' OPS, SLG% and OBP have all taken slight dips, his 2015 campaign shows signs of a turnaround season.

He has already surpassed his SB total of last season (2) and has already compiled 1/4 of his 51 RBI total from 2014 as well. He is never going to be a 30 HR threat again but somewhere close to 20 is possible and should still prove quite useful for most fantasy owners. He is a solid contact hitter who can contribute modestly.

Speaking of Cincinnati they are in the bottom half of almost every major hitting category as a team. Buried amongst that futility lies Phillips who can still bring value for someone who either gave up on him early on or as a buy low trade candidate.

Phillips has a higher BA than Brian Dozier and Robinson Cano and more RBI than Dustin Pedroia and Jason Kipnis. He also has less K's than all of those players. Give this veteran a look and see if he can keep the magic going.