Franco Excited to Represent Phils in Futures Game

Maikel Franco, image- Jay Floyd

You likely won't find a happier minor leaguer than Phillies third base prospect Maikel Franco. The Dominican born 20-year-old is having a tremendous season, has started to become a house hold name and will represent the Phils in Sunday's MLB All-Star Futures Game. With all that in mind, Franco's ready to put forth his best efforts on a big stage but is still in amazement, at times, of his own output.

Signed by the Phillies in 2010 at the age of 17, Franco has steadily been climbing the developmental ladder ever since, making an impact last season with Class A Lakewood where he started off at somewhat of a slow pace. The youngster batted .207 with six homers, 27 RBI and a .607 OPS before he turned things up after the South Atlantic League All-Star break. In the second half of 2012, Franco really showed what he can do, as he posted a .346 average with eight home runs, 57 RBI, and a .925 OPS.

Franco, who had never before played in cold weather, cites an adjustment period last year to playing in the northeast in April and May, where the weather is far different from the Dominican Republic and Florida where he had spent those months each year until his appointment to man the hot corner for the BlueClaws last season.

This season, though, Franco has already surpassed last year's home run total, mashing 21 big flies thus far at two levels in 2013.

"That's amazing. I'm so happy. Unbelievable. But I've been consistent here. I had 14 home runs and now I've got (more than) 20 already, I'm so excited and so happy," Franco said with a proud expression.

Overall in 84 combined games with Class A Advance Clearwater and Double-A Reading, the 6-foot-1 185-pounder has tallied a .321 average with a .958 OPS.

Of his progress and the recognition of playing in Sunday's nationally televised prospect exhibition (ESPN2 at 2PM EST, live from New York's Citi Field), Franco beams and can't hold back a sizable grin across his youthful mug.

"I feel good. I feel excited because (I) play all the time and practice hard, so I want the fans and the coaches to think about good things for me," Franco excitedly said. "So, I just play hard and it's great if good things come for me."

Franco is slated to serve as the designated hitter for the World Team, a slot he'll gladly accept, despite taking great pride in his defense and feeling that's an equal part of his skill set.

"I give a lot of focus on (that side of my game) because I need my defense too, because I play an important position- third base. I'm focused in, twice. I want to get help every way I can and get better (all around)," Franco stated.

Franco will be joined by Reading Fightins teammate Jesse Biddle, who is ranked as PhilliesNation's top Phillies prospect for 2013.

Biddle, 21, has a 3-9 record with a 3.33 ERA and a .202 batting average against in 18 starts this season.

Watson on the shelf...

Last season's top draft selection by the Phils, Shane Watson, is slated to miss about a month, as he was placed on the disabled list this week with shoulder soreness. The 19-year-old righty had posted a 4-6 record along with a 4.75 ERA and a .230 batting average against in 16 starts for Lakewood this season prior to the injury.

Watson was slated to head to the Phillies' spring training facility in Florida on Sunday to begin a rehab program.

2021 Phillies Top Prospects Countdown: #22 SS Casey Martin

Please visit Patreon.com/PhoulBallz in order to support my work, get access to material like this before anyone else and get access to interviews as well as other exclusive content you can't get anywhere else. A third round draft pick last year, Arkansas junior Casey Martin was quickly signed by the Phillies and consideration as one of the organization's top infield prospects quickly began. The team's confidence in his ceiling is likely evident in the signing bonus he got, which was reportedly $1.3 million, which was considerably more than slot money dictated by his 87th overall draft position ($685K). The right-handed batting Martin tallied a .311/.393/.545 slash line with 30 homers, 24 steals and 112 RBI in 143 games through his college career at Arkansas. Reports had him falling in the draft as a result of an injury to the hamate bone in his left hand prior to his 2020 season. Prior to the procedure, Baseball America projected Martin as a top ten draft pick.

Bubby Rossman's long awaited MLB debut

Eight years after he initially signed a professional contract with the Dodgers and a five-year stretch playing away from affiliated ball, Bubby Rossman became a major leaguer on Wednesday. Added as a substitute for pitcher Kyle Gibson, who is restricted from travel to Canada for the Phillies' series in Toronto, due to his medical inability to be vaccinated from COVID-19, Rossman took the mound for the first time in the majors. Rossman, who was a 22nd round draft selection in 2014 had pitched in 200 professional games before his one-inning outing in the Phillies' 8-2 loss to the Blue Jays. In 27 appearances with Double-A Reading this year, the 30-year-old right-hander has performed well, tallying a 2-2 record with a save, a 3.32 ERA and a .200 batting average against. The embedded video below features a media session with Rossman from prior to opening day this year, in which the California native discusses his journey through independent baseball and back to affiliated ball wi

Slick fielding Sam is the Champion of the (PhoulBallz) world!

Phillies Ball(z)girl Sam Arnone was kind enough to answer some questions for the PhoulBallz site and all of you. Sam will be entering her 3rd season as a Phillies ballgirl and is a junior at Drexel University. Sam hails from the great town of Mt. Ephram, NJ. 1- Since the Phillies are the World Champions of baseball teams, are the Phillies ballgirls the world champions of ballgirl teams? - Of Course!!! There are not that many teams that have Ballgirls, so the competition is a little scarce. I would definitely put my team up against any other Ballgirl team with full confidence! 2- What is your routine to prepare for a day of on-field duties? - Before a game, I am always a little nervous. Once I am ready to leave my house and head to the ballpark I triple check my bag to make sure I have my glove and then I check again. I always have a peanut butter and jelly sandwich on wheat because it keeps me full and gives me energy for the entire game. I guess I might have to find a new favorite sa

PhoulBallz.com

Search This Blog