Phillips was the centerpiece of the package that Montreal sent to
Cleveland in exchange for Bartolo Colon last summer. Despite the fact
that Phillips is MLB ready and slated to start for the Tribe at
second base, he remains a work in progress. He split the year between
AA and AAA last year, hitting 18 HRs and stealing 14 bases in 504
ABs.

He's a fantasy owners dream prospect, with 20/20 written all over
him. And he'll at least get the ABs to fulfill that promise this
year, but there are indications he's not fully formed yet. Brandon
doesn't strike out too much (78 in the minors last year) but he also
doesn't walk enough (32). He gets his bat on the ball well enough to
hit in the .275-.285 range normally, but he may see lengthy periods
this year when the pitchers are ahead of him, and that will suppress
this year's overall average. He was 250+ ABs into his AAA season last
year at call up, and he still hadn't rebounded completely to his AA
levels in terms of zone command, contact and OPS.

At 22, that's understandable and it's reasonable to assume that
learning curve will extend into 2003. He's quite capable of the 20
HRs side of the equation (although that maybe a bit optimistic this
season) but while he possesses terrific speed, he's unpolished as a
base stealer.

Phillips will have an impact in 2003. He will get MLB ABs, he's
mature and capable enough to make good on them, and circumstance will
permit him a long look and a lot of leeway before he loses his job.