Brandon Phillips (2B, CIN) - 2016 Fantasy Baseball Sleeper

BALLER MOVE: Roster as MI in shallow leagues, starting 2B in anything deeper

CURRENT ADP: 255.8

ANALYSIS: Long left for dead in the fantasy game, Brandon Phillips came out of nowhere to post a .294/.328/.395 triple slash line with 12 HR and 23 SBs in 2015. Many feared that the aging second sacker would be unable to replicate his career year, adopting an avoid at all costs approach. Something remains in the tank, however.

Phillips was not only prolific but efficient on the base paths last season, totaling just three CS to go with his 23 swipes. Sure, he hadn't cracked double digits since 2012, but there is no reason to give him a red light if he's feeling frisky. He's 35, not 40, and no one in the Reds lineup is good enough for the risk of running into an out to matter.

Phillips also remains a solid bet for a HR total in the low teens, which is actually quite good for a middle infielder. Most of the power comes at home (9 of 12 last year), making him easy to platoon in the shallowest formats. The Reds don't have the scariest lineup in baseball, but Phillips's cleanup spot maximizes his chances for RBI and R as well.

The .294 average is the most startling part of last year's line, and his high percentage of line drives (24.9%) is unlikely to repeat. However, he did strike out less, setting a personal best for K% at 10.9%. The change was actually supported by his SwStr% (11% in 2014 to 9.5% last year) and Zone Contact% (87.3% to 91.5% last year). He won't hit .290, but .270 is possible. Add double digit homers, a handful of steals and a cleanup hitter's runs and RBI, and you could do much worse in a MI slot even in the shallowest leagues. He's gold in anything deeper.