Philadelphia Phillies third baseman Maikel Franco is nearly universally thought of as the organization’s third-best prospect, behind J.P. Crawford and Aaron Nola. Franco will be given every opportunity to earn a job on the Phillies’ Opening Day roster this spring, and if the winter that Franco had in the Dominican is any indication, he’s ready.
During the regular season in the Dominican Winter League, the 22-year old Franco hit .272/.335/.469 with seven homers (second in the league) over 38 games. That’s quite good. But as Franco’s club, the Gigantes del Cibao, advanced in the playoffs, his performance got even more insane.
In 22 playoff games, Franco hit an absurd .337/.344/.570 with four homers. His four homers were tied for the league lead with teammate Carlos Peguero, and his .914 OPS was a good 107 points better than the next closest player (journeyman minor league catcher catcher Wilkin Castillo, who spent the last two years in Mexico). In the Gigantes’ title clinching 12-5 win over the Estrellas de Oriente, Franco went 3/4 with two homers and seven RBI. Through the magic of the Internet, we have video of the two homers.
Those dingers sure had some elevation to them. It remains to be seen whether or not Franco will be at Citizens Bank Park on Opening Day for the Phillies’ season-opening series with the Boston Red Sox, but his winter should at least inspire some hope for the future for Phillies fans. Here’s hoping that during Spring Training in Clearwater, Franco assaults the left field tiki bar at Bright House Field.
