Maikel Franco Hits a Really, Really, Really Long Home Run in Arizona
MLB.com
Even when the Phillies lose big, rookie standout Maikel Franco wins himself attention.
The Phillies were routed last night in Arizona, losing 13-3 to the Diamondbacks. But in the sixth inning, with the Phillies down 5-2, Franco unloaded on a pitch and crushed it to nearly straightaway center field.
The ball landed on a patio next to the massive scoreboard (see circle above), where MLB’s Statcast program estimated the distance at 455 feet. It’s said to be the longest Phillies home run since Jim Thome crushed one 466 feet over the batter’s eye in Minnesota during his brief Phillies reprise in 2012. Todd Zolecki, MLB.com’s Phillies beat reporter, believes Franco’s latest home run, and his excellent play overall, are putting him in the running for the National League Rookie of the Year award, which the Mets’ Jacob deGrom won last year.
Watch Franco’s blast at Phillies.com.
Franco, who is only 22 years old, is hitting .277 so far this season and has 82 hits, 13 homers and 48 RBIs in just 76 games since his mid-May call up.
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