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Philadelphia Phillies Must Commit To Playing Maikel Franco In Everyday Lineup

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Maikel Franco, Philadelphia Phillies,

Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

Now that the Philadelphia Phillies are within a week of having control over Maikel Franco through the 2021 season, there appears to be little doubt they will give him a long-expected call-up.

This time, though, it must be to stay, and the only way the Phillies can enable that is to stick him at third and keep him there. They cannot afford to play him once or twice a week and hope he maintains his stroke, because Cody Asche is not an option at third anymore.

Asche broke an 0-for-23 slump with a hit in Sunday’s loss to the New York Mets, but his year and a month as a third-base starter has been underwhelming at best. With a crowded outfield situation that dictates more playing time for players like Darin Ruf and Odubel Herrera, there isn’t much room for Asche there, either.

That leaves the door wide open for Franco, a power hitter with unlimited upside and an outstanding defensive third baseman who won the International League version of the Gold Glove a season ago while playing for Lehigh Valley (Pa.).  It doesn’t matter that Asche is struggling offensively. Franco is the better defensive third baseman.

Unlike last year when Franco got the call-up in September and hit .179, he appears to be ready to make an impact now. Last year, Franco was an undisciplined hitter who frequently flailed away at breaking balls out of the strike zone. This year, with age (22) comes discipline, and the results have been impressive. He leads the International League in at-bats, doubles, extra base hits and total bases. Through Sunday’s games, Franco is hitting .336 with three home runs and 17 RBIs in only 29 games. By comparison, Asche is hitting .235 with two homers and four RBIs in the same number of games, albeit against MLB competition.

Asche has had his chance at third for the Phillies. In a week it will be Franco’s turn, and this takeover must be permanent.

Mike Gibson is a Phillies writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @papreps , “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.

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