By: Christian Evans

Brandon Phillips and the Cincinnati Reds are having a good year thus far. The Reds are currently 29-18 and 2nd in the NL Central, right behind the St. Louis Cardinals. A huge part of the Reds success has been because of their high powered offense behind the bats of Joey Votto and Brandon Phillips. Also, starting pitching and relief pitching, with young phenom Aroldis Chapman’s 10 saves have helped the club greatly. Of course, the eight year Red, Brandon Phillips has shown exceptional commitment to this ball club and continues to contribute offensively and defensively year after year.

So far, in the 2013 season Brandon Phillips has had a great year, keeping the Reds towards to top of their division all season long. This year Phillips has been hitting clean up in the four hole. Batting behind all-star Joey Votto has been a huge contribution to his success throughout the year. Whenever, you’re hitting behind a .358 batting average, it always helps your cause when you step up to the plate. With Votto in the three hole and Phillips clean up, they are arguable the best one-two punch in the majors. These big bats have created exceptional run support for guys like Mat Latos, Bronson Arroyo, and that starting rotation.

Brandon Phillips has broken out in a big way this season with his .284 batting average and .330 on base percentage. His .284 batting average this year is higher than his career average at .273, which shows how good of a year he is actually having. The two-time all-star second baseman has generated great fire power to the Reds bats this season. All season long Phillips has been able to drive in guys like Shin-Soo Choo and Zack Cozart from the bases. Phillips’ team high 40 RBI’s is by far the most on the ball club. Adding onto his 40 RBI’s, Brandon Phillips has belted seven home runs this year. Phillips is not known for his power and deep ball hitting, but he has been known to hit a few out of the park each year.

However, Phillips’ bat isn’t the only way he contributes this Cincinnati Reds ball club. Through this 2013 season, Phillips has only committed two errors, which is very minimal considering how often the second base position sees the ball on the diamond. Throughout the veteran’s 12-year career he has been known as a great infielder with numerous web gems to prove his case. One of the best attributes to Phillips’ game is his ability to turn the double play ball. This year he has turned 28 double plays with a total of 757 for his career. In 2008, 2010, and 2011 Brandon Phillips’ excellent fielding was honored when he received the Rawlings Gold Glove Award, which is given to players shown to exhibit the best fielding talent that year at their position.

With well over half the season remaining, Brandon Phillips will look to keep his team at the top of the NL Central by keeping a hot bat and continuing his stellar fielding at second base. The Reds are only one game back of the St. Louis Cardinals, but have the Pittsburgh Pirates right on their tail with one game back behind them. If Phillips continues to have the year he is having, look for him to be an all-star come July. As the season continues, the Cincinatti Reds will rely on their starting rotation and big bats of Brandon Phillips and Joey Votto to carry them to the playoffs and on the quest to be World Series Champions.