After his second multiple home run game of 2016 Spring Training, Philadelphia Phillies' third-baseman Maikel Franco now has six home runs in his first 30 at-bats this spring. If he continued on that type of pace in the regular season, he'd hit north of 90 home runs in a 500 at-bat season.
You would think with that type of scenario looming, manager Pete Mackanin would be trying to keep the future of his 23-year-old third-baseman in perspective.
Instead, Mackanin told Philly.com's Matt Breen that he believes that Franco could lead the league in home runs.
Manager Pete Mackanin said Franco has the power potential to lead the league in homers.
The article, which didn't focus specifically on this quote, didn't elaborate on when Mackanin felt that Franco could lead the league in home runs. Franco has undoubtedly had a scorching hot start to the spring, but he's 23 and this will be the first time that he opens a season in the big leagues. Realistically, he's probably not going to lead the league in home runs in 2016.
That said, Mackanin continues to do the little things that his predecessor, Ryne Sandberg, didn't do. While Franco will probably not lead the league in home runs in 2016, he's someone who seems to have the chance to hit 30 home runs this season. And for Franco's manager to come out and show this type of confidence in his ability, unquestionably is a good look to the clubhouse.
Tim Kelly (@TimKellySports) is the Managing Editor of Philliedelphia.com, focusing on news and features.
