To say Maikel Franco has dominated the Yankees the last couple of nights would be an understatement. He's put on a performance worth of long-time tormenters such as Manny Ramirez, Miguel Cabrera and maybe even Ted Williams. In his first visit ever to Yankee Stadium, he's crushed six hits — four for extra bases (three of them home runs) — in eight at-bats. And he's sparkled on defense. Glad I caught him when the Phils visited the Mets over Memorial Day weekend.
He's not only delivering big time -- but doing it at crunch time. Last night, he smoked a tie-breaking RBI double off Dellin Betances that put the Phillies ahead to stay as the beat up on the Yanks for the second night in a row.
Oh, and one more for you: Franco is the first Phillie ever to drive in five run in back-to-back games. Mike Schmidt never did that, nor did fellow Philadelphia legends Ryan Howard, Chuck Klein or Del Ennis. That's how hot Franco is at the moment.
I first saw him a couple of years ago playing for Double-A Reading and was impressed. It was clear that he could hit and hit with the power. Balls jump of his bat -- usually accompanied by that sweet sound signifying "ideal contact." But now, he's a complete player and could well be the Phillies next "franchise player."
Here's my post from two years ago:
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