Second Baseman (R/R) Height: 5’11” Weight: 185 lbs.
Born: 6-28-81, Raleigh, North Carolina
Age at MLB Debut: 21
Quick Stats
2000 Age 19 A- 484 AB, .242/.309/.378, 17 2B, 11 HR
2001 Age 20 A+ 194 AB, .284/.416/.428, 12 2B, 4 HR
2001 Age 20 AA 265 AB, .298/.338/.449, 19 2B, 7 HR
2002 Age 21 AA 245 AB, .327/.380/.506, 13 2B, 9 HR
2002 Age 21 AAA 223 AB, .283/.328/.453, 14 2B, 8 HR
2002 Age 21 AL 31 AB, .258/.343/.419, 3 2B, 0 HR
2003 Age 22 AAA 154 AB, .175/.247/.279, 7 2B, 3 HR
2003 Age 22 AL 370 AB, .208/.242/.311, 18 2B, 6 HR
2004 Stats
Traded to the Indians, 6-27-02 (see below)
Comments
4-1-03
Considered one of the top 10 prospects in baseball, Phillips is a very rare commodity; a combination of athleticism with power who can play a middle-infield position. He’s been compared to Barry Larkin. However, Brandon may need some more time in Buffalo to work on a couple of things, namely to get used to playing second base. But, Brandon is capable of making the team if he play to his ability.
7-15-03
CLE 280 AB, .211/.242/.307, 13 2B, 4 HR
Brandon Phillips was not demoted to Buffalo because of his defense (which was stellar) or his attitude (which was great). He was demoted because he had huge holes in his swing, and they needed to be fixed in a low-pressure environment. Too many times we expect plug-and-play pieces to the puzzle direct from the minors, but in most cases, prospects take a while (and sometimes a demotion) to become what we think they'll be. In retrospect, the Indians got a little greedy with Phillips, and should have let him spend a couple months in Buffalo perfecting his swing before calling him up to Cleveland. They did this with Victor Martinez, although for a different reason. True, seeing John McDonald at second everyday may frustrate fans (me included), but it will pay off in the long run, when games will actually mean something more beyond player development opportunities.
Contract:
2004 Salary:
Arbitration: 2005
Free Agency: 2008
6-99: Drafted by the Montreal Expos (2nd Round)
1999: GCL Expos?
Started 2000 in Cape Fear (A)
Started 2001 in Jupiter (A)
6-18-01: Promoted to Harrisburg (AA)
Started 2002 in Ottawa (AAA)
6-27-02: Traded along with Cliff Lee, Grady Sizemore, and Lee Stevens to the Cleveland Indians for Bartolo Colon and Tim Drew
6-28-02: Assigned to Buffalo (AAA)
9-13-02: Recalled by Cleveland (MLB Debut)
Played in Arizona Fall League after the 2002 season
3-3-03: Signed to a 1 Year contract ($300,900)
7-14-03: Optioned to Buffalo (AAA)