This season could have been the beginning of the end for Brandon Phillips. The Cincinnati Reds’ second baseman suffered through an injury-plagued season in 2014, playing in just 121 games and batting just .266 with only eight home runs.

Phillips will soon turn 34 years old, so his best years are likely behind him. He’s no longer the player who hit double-figure home runs for eight-straight seasons earlier in his career.

The best news for the Reds, though, is Phillips understands that he is no longer the player he once was. The player who once called himself “The Franchise” can no longer swing for the fence on every swing. And while many players would be too stubborn to make the necessary adjustments, Phillips did just that.

He has cut down his swing, focused on getting on base more often and has become a much better player. Heading into Monday, Phillips was batting .309 on the season with only three home runs. He’s now hitting the ball to the opposite field like he never has. In short, fans are now seeing the new version of Brandon Phillips.

For example, on Monday night in a 6-4 win over the Philadelphia Phillies, Phillips was 1-for-3 with a walk and a run scored.

And with Phillips playing this way, he no longer needs to hit in the cleanup spot, or even in the middle of the lineup. Reds manager Bryan Price has been using Phillips in the leadoff spot lately, and Phillips has responded well to the change. Over his last seven games, Phillips is hitting .379, with a .438 on-base percentage while scoring six runs.

If the “new” Phillips can continue to play this way, it will make the Reds a better team. And at this point, the Reds need a spark before they fall permanently out of contention.

Tim Letcher is a Featured Writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @TimLetcher , on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.

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