Is Maikel Franco a Potential MVP in 2017?
Over the past week or so, many have been talking about the comments made by former Philadelphia Phillies third baseman, and MLB Hall of Famer, Mike Schmidt.
As asked to give his thoughts on the team’s current third baseman, Maikel Franco, Schmidt immediately named Franco as a potential MVP candidate.
Prior to Schmidt’s comments, he told the media that Franco did not live up to his expectations in his first full season with the Phillies. Schmidt said that he was expecting to see a lot more from Franco during his rookie year.
Though Franco is one of the top talents on the young Phillies squad, he knows that he has the talent to do more, and he is determined to show everyone what he is fully capable of, especially Mike Schmidt.
“This guy did everything in baseball,” Franco said of Schmidt. “He tells me to get better every single day and I’m proud to hear him say that. It’s a good thing for me. I have to continue to get better, continue to work and continue to prove myself.”
In 2015, Franco earned himself a batting average of .280, by hitting 14 homers and 50 RBIs in only 80 games after coming up to the majors.
After Schmidt saw how Franco produced just halfway through the season, it led him to conclude that Franco was on the verge of becoming a standout player in the MLB.
In 2016, Franco had an outstanding spring but lacked consistency during the regular season.
Ultimately, this caused his average to fall to .255.
On a more positive note, Franco hit 25 homers with 88 RBIs, while tying shortstop, Freddy Galvis for the team-lead with 49 extra-base hits.
“I had a lot higher expectations for Maikel,” Schmidt said. “I may have had the highest expectations. That was mostly from how I saw him hit in spring training, our personal conversations, and his willingness to listen and his sense of relaxing. It was spring training and he was very relaxed, just letting the game come to him.”
The area which Franco must improve the most is discipline at the plate, and he knows this.
Last season, he struck out 106 times and drew only 40 walks.
Phillies manager, Pete Mackanin plans to bat Franco in the cleanup spot, followed by Michael Saunders, with Odubel Herrera batting third.
It’s no secret that Franco has to be more patient at the plate and avoid swinging at bad pitches.
“I think I can do better in 2017,” Franco said. “Just coming in, trying to get better every day and do my routine, doing my prep and trying to get better. Expectations are higher than last year. I’ll be ready to go.”
So far in spring training this year, Franco has hit 6 homers, while earning 17 RBIs and a .234 batting average.
Though spring training is comprised of exhibition games, hopefully, Franco is able to work out the rest of his issues at the plate, in order to become the offensive phenom and potential MVP candidate we all know he can be.
Photo: Editosaurus (via: Wikipedia Commons)
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Categorized:Phillies