VALLEJO, Calif. — The Vallejo Admirals announced on Tuesday they will sign longtime major leaguer Brandon Phillips. The 37-year old infielder and 17-year veteran will reunite with his younger brother, Vallejo manager P.J. Phillips.
“It’s a pleasure to be managing my brother,” P.J. Phillips said. “It was a dream to play with him and it’s exciting to have him be part of the Admirals.
Said Brandon Phillips, “I’m excited to be playing for my brother.” adding, “I’ve always hit the ball well in California.”
“We are thrilled to have a player of such accomplishment play for us,” Admirals owner Kevin Reilly said. “P.J. has been a great manager for the team and we’re excited to have his brother, one of the best infielders in the majors over the past two decades, on the roster.”
Brandon Phillips last played in the Major Leagues last year, playing nine games for the World Champion Boston Red Sox. He spent 11 seasons with the Cincinnati Reds, starting mostly at second base. He is a lifetime .275 hitter with 209 stolen bases in the big leagues. He was named to three all-star teams (all during his time with the Reds) and earned four Gold Glove awards at second base. He also won one Silver Slugger award.
Brandon Phillips twice earned Most Valuable Player votes, finishing 13th in 2012 and 22nd in 2007. In 2007, he hit a career-high 30 home runs with 94 RBI to go along with 32 stolen bases (also a career-high). He was the third player in Cincinnati history to hit 30 home runs and steal 30 bases in a single season.
In 2012, Brandon Phillips hit .281 with 18 home runs and 77 RBI to help the Reds win the National League Central Division. In 2013, he knocked in a career-high 103 runs.
The Phillips brothers both graduated from Redan High School-Stone Mountain (Ga.) and each was drafted in the second round of the MLB draft: Brandon in 1999 by the Montreal Expos and P.J. in 2005 by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Their sister Porsha Phillips played for the San Antonio Silver of the WNBA and their brother Jamil played in the Texas Rangers organization.
Brandon Phillips is expected to be activated in time for Vallejo’s game on Thursday at Pacific Association-leading Sonoma. First pitch at Arnold Field is scheduled for 6:05 p.m.
The Vallejo Admirals are in their seventh season as members of the Pacific Association. The Admirals have made the playoffs the past two seasons and won the 2017 Pacific Association championship.
P.J. Phillips is in his fourth season as manager of the Admirals. He played six seasons in the Angels organization and one in the Reds organization.
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