Philadelphia’s PR script for 2017 has been that Maikel Franco put too much pressure on himself last season, and with protection, in the lineup, he’ll thrive.
Michael Saunders’ arrival appeared to be a godsend for the Phillies third baseman, who struggled to hit consistently despite smacking 25 home runs last year.
Yet while the Phillies preach working their prospects and young stars into the game manager Pete Mackanin continues to bat the 24-year-old Franco in the heart of the lineup.
Through 16 games Franco has hit in the four-hole 15 times, with the lone exception coming as the number three hitter last week against Washington.