CLEARWATER, Fla. - Maikel Franco homered Monday for the third time this spring. His blast left Spectrum Field in a hurry, smacking against the brick wall of the bullpen behind the left-field wall.
But it is not the home runs that has the attention of manager Pete Mackanin. Instead, it is Franco's improved approach at the plate and the batter's discipline so far to work deep counts. That will be what determines if this is the season Franco develops into a legitimate threat in the middle of the lineup, not a few home runs in February.
"That's a good sign for what's to come from him," Mackanin said.