Nick Piccone
It’s hard right now to get excited about the Phillies if only because they’re such an unknown. Sure, the young guys in the clubhouse breed some excitement for me, and I’m sure for most of the fan base, but it’s still so early to say this team will be a contender any time soon.
More players have been added around Franco to make this team watchable again. It doesn’t matter if they lose a ton of games this year – at least we don’t have to watch guys like Jeff Francoeur, Phillippe Aumont, Danny Otero, Chad Billingsley, Jerome Williams and Ryan Howard.
I’m tempering my expectations for this ball club this year, but one guy certainly has taken the team by its horns and made it his. Maikel Franco is the Phillies right now. And it’s not even because he’s raking in spring training so far, it’s because he’s been doing it ever since he was called up last season. And everyone’s taking notice. [CSN Philly]
In 11 Grapefruit League games, Franco is hitting a robust .367 with a 1.391 OPS. He has 14 RBIs and six homers, the most of any major-leaguer this spring. To put that in perspective, the Miami Marlins have just five homers as a team. The New York Yankees have just six.
Earlier this spring, Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt said Franco had the tools to compete for an MVP award. If the 23-year-old third baseman carries this stroke over to the regular season, he might do it this year.
That’s some high praise from probably the greatest Phillie that’s ever lived. And Phillies manager, Pete Mackanin, agrees. “He’s got a chance to have a big year,” Mackanin told reporters. “He’s so much more composed than he was last year.” With 14 home runs and 50 RBIs in 80 games last season as a rookie, Franco can only improve. And it sounds like he knows it. Franco told reporters, “I’m more comfortable knowing I’ll be in the lineup every day. That makes me more patient and relaxed. I see the lineup and I go play and have fun.”
Franco will certainly be a highlight of the Phillies’ season, and I’m looking forward to seeing the progression of this team. Dare I say… the Phillies are back?