CLEARWATER, Fla. — Maikel Franco hit his first home run of spring training on Sunday. It was a beautiful shot to left field, a nice way to begin perhaps the most crucial camp of his career. But it was the placement of his left foot — the one that guides Franco’s swing — that might have been the most promising sight.
John Mallee, the Phillies’ new hitting coach, pored over footage of Franco this winter before arriving at camp. The coach noticed a glaring flaw. Franco’s batting stance was so open that it began with his left foot practically pointing at third base.