Franco wraps up Dominican League in torrid fashion

Maikel Franco, image- Jay Floyd

Phillies prospect Maikel Franco wrapped up an excellent off-season campaign in the Dominican Republic on Sunday, helping his team, the Gigantes, lock down the Dominican Winter League championship with a 3-for-4 effort that included a grand slam, a solo homer and seven total RBI.

Through 38 regular season games, the six-foot-one 180-pounder posted a .272 average with eight doubles, seven home runs and 29 RBI. His homer total was tied for second in the league.

Franco wrapped up the postseason with four home runs and 16 RBI to go along with his .337 average in 22 games.

The 22-year-old split his time evenly between first base and third base for the Gigantes through much of his time there.

Franco, one of the team's most promising prospects, made his big league debut with the Phillies last September, when he tallied a .179/.190/.214 slash line in 16 games. He sported a .257 average with 16 home runs and 78 RBI in 133 contests for Triple-A Lehigh Valley last season.

Comments

What the hell else was I going to write about...?

It will be too late for many people's liking, but it's really about time to NEVER USE BRAD LIDGE IN A SAVE SITUATION ON THE ROAD AGAIN. Lidge in 2009 road games- 0-6, 8.10 ERA, 15 saves, 10 blown saves. One of my favorite statistics that I regularly update here on PhoulBallz is the percentage of games that Brad Lidge has allowed earned runs in this season, compared to the 18% he allowed in 2008. This year, Lidge has allowed earned runs in 43% of his outings. And, as a reminder, in 2007 Brett Myers allowed earned runs in just 21% of his relief appearances. Considering Lidge's season-long struggles, what is the solution when Brett Myers is ailing with a back muscle/shoulder injury, when Chan Ho Park has an injured hamstring, when Ryan Madson looks just as inept in the 9th inning as Brad Lidge seems and when JC Romero is still unavailable to pitch due to a forearm injury? Well, on Wednesday night, with Hanley Ramirez batting with two outs and the tying run on 3rd base, your an...

Watch Out For the Bat Boy

Stop ice grillin' the Phillies players, bat boy. I am watching YOU. I don't know what is on your mind, bat boy, but don't even think about doing something slick. You might wear the Phillies' uniform, but it is clear that you are a Yankees fan. It's all over your pale little "I wanna grow up to be like the Robert De Niro character in The Fan " face. The World Champs should be cautious around this kid. He could be dangerous. ------------------------------------------- Follow PhoulBallz.com on Twitter HERE !

Greatest Comeback I've Ever Witnessed

I was lucky enough to be in the building for the Phillies' game 4 NLCS walk off victory. I would like to write about it as though I'm reporting on it. I'd love to be able to jot down a story and go off to bed, like I did after game 3, but I don't think that is possible. I feel like I did last year following game 5.2 of the World Series. I was up all night, unable to come down off of that Phillies high. I have the same feeling right now. You all know what happened. I don't need to tell you all a story about the game. It's very likely you've got the image of Jimmy Rollins lacing that double off Jonathan Broxton burned in you brain, frame by frame already. I know I do. With two outs in the bottom of the 9th inning, my lady began to collect her things, strapping her purse on across herself. I shot her a quick look as though to convey, "What are you doing?" She shot back, "I'm getting ready to go." I replied, "I'm getting ready to...

PhoulBallz.com

Search This Blog