Ruben Amaro, Jr.: Maikel Franco "getting close" to Phillies call-up

Ruben Amaro, Jr.: Maikel Franco “getting close” to Phillies call-up

Phillies third base prospect Maikel Franco has been performing very well at the Phillies' highest level of minor league play. For AAA Lehigh Valley, Franco is batting .336 with three home runs and 17 RBI. Franco also has 12 doubles and one triple. 12 doubles would be (pardon the pun) double the Phillies' leaders in that category. So, would Franco get a call to the big leagues?

Jim Salisbury of CSN Philly spoke to the Phillies GM and says that the time is soon:

Amaro said Maikel Franco getting close. Aaron Nola staying in AA for now.

— Jim Salisbury (@JSalisburyCSN) May 11, 2015

Franco's call-up date is probably pretty much set.

If the Phillies wait until May 15 to call Franco up to the big leagues, they will have gained a full year of contractual control. Much attention was given to Cubs third base prospect Kris Bryant this year, for whom an April 11 call-up (or 11 days into the season) would make all the difference. Franco had a full month under his belt from his September call-up, so he needed to wait a bit more.

So, the Phillies probably will add Franco on by week's end in all likelihood. The roster spot could complicate matters for a few Phillies hanging on. Domonic Brown is still at AAA Lehigh Valley. Adding Franco to the roster and subtracting someone else could decrease Brown's chances of coming back up to the big league club. Brown is batting .222 at AAA this season.

The Phillies could cut utility infielder Andres Blanco. Blanco is hitting .250 in the early going. If Cody Asche moves to left field as the team seems to be preparing for, Franco would take Asche's spot, though Asche could remain a first base option. Cesar Hernandez's versatility would give the Phillies a backup option at shortstop and second base, while Cody Asche could return to the infield in a pinch.

The Phillies' left-handed-heavy lineup could replace Jeff Francoeur's right-handed bat in the outfield with Franco's bat at third base (with Asche taking the left field slot). The lineup could look much better: