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

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ team leagues

OWNED IN: 36% of Fleaflicker leagues

ANALYSIS: After a rough last few months, 35-year old Brandon Phillips has finally picked up the pace at the plate and on the base paths. He has had a statistical roller coaster of a year. In April he stole three bases and had a .288 BA, in May he batted just .233 and didn't steal a single base, but he hit a surprising five HR. Then in 195 AB in June and July, he didn't hit a single HR, stole two bases, had a .271 BA, and OBP of .296 and .322. Then suddenly "Dat Dude BP" turned back the clock again. In 13 games and 49 August AB Phillips has two HR, four SB, and a slash line of .429/.462/.673. After striking out at a rate of 13% for May, June, and July, he is striking out just 7.7% of his plate appearances in the limited August sample size. With eight HR and nine SB on the season, the long time veteran has demonstrated, albeit inconsistently, that he still has some pop and speed. Now that he is finally out of his train wreck of a slump, Brandon Phillips can offer plenty of statistical upside for the rest of 2016.