Maikel Franco, Infield

Date of Birth: 8/26/1992
Birthplace: Azua, Dominican Republic

Maikel Franco, infielder, was signed by the Philadelphia Phillies in 2010. He played in the Phillies' minor league system from 2010 through 2014, joining the Phillies for just 16 games in 2014.

Statistics for Franco in the minor leagues include 557 hits, 131 doubles, 66 home runs, 338 RBIs, and 322 strikeouts to 140 walks in 521 games. Defensively, as a third baseman, he made 766 assists, 63 double plays, 332 putouts, and 55 errors in 453 games.

Franco played in 80 games with the Phillies in 2015. He went on the DL on August 18th with a wrist fracture. He finished the 2015 season with 85 hits, 22 doubles, 14 home runs, 50 RBIs, and a .280 batting average. Defensively, at third base, he made 119 assists, 11 double plays, and 49 putouts in 75 games.

On May 17, 2015, Franco hit his first major league home run and two months later, on August 4th, he hit his first major league grand slam. He set a Phillies' record on June 23rd when he became the first Phillies' player to hit five RBIs in two consecutive games.

In 2016, his first full season in the majors, Franco batted .255 in 152 games. He finished the season with 148 hits, 23 doubles, 25 home runs, and 88 RBIs. Defensively, as the Phillies' third baseman in 148 games, he made 223 assists, 93 putouts, and 13 errors.

Franco finished the 2017 season with 132 hits, 29 doubles, 24 home runs, 76 RBIs, 95 strikeouts to 41 walks, and a .230 batting average in 154 games. Defensively, as the Phillies' third baseman in 144 games, he made 215 assists, 23 double plays, 103 putouts, and 15 errors.

Franco batted .270 in 131 games in 2018. He had 117 hits, 22 home runs, 68 RBIs, and 62 strikeouts to 29 walks. Defensively, as a third baseman in 117 games, he made 196 assists, 85 putouts, and 15 errors.

Franco spent time on the DL in 2019 with a left hand contusion. He finished the season with 91 hits, 17 doubles, 17 home runs, 56 RBIs, 61 strikeouts to 36 walks, and a .234 batting average in 123 games. Defensively, as a third baseman in 111 games, he made 195 assists, 62 putouts, and 8 errors.

Franco became a free agent on December 2, 2019. He signed with the Kansas City Royals on December 27th. He played in 60 games in 2020, and he finished the season with 62 hits, 16 doubles, 8 home runs, 38 RBIs, 38 strikeouts to 16 walks, and a .278 batting average. Defensively, he played 2 games at first base and 51 games at third base.

Franco elected free agency on December 2, 2020. He signed with the Baltimore Orioles on March 16, 2021. He was released on August 25, 2021. Six days later, on August 31st, he signed a minor league contract with the Atlanta Braves. He finished the 2021 season with 79 hits, 22 doubles, 47 RBIs, 67 strikeouts to 20 walks, and a .210 batting average in 104 games with the Orioles. Defensively, as a third baseman in 99 games, he made 166 assists, 66 putouts, and 8 errors. He played only in the minors with the Braves.

Franco became a free agent on November 7, 2021. He signed a minor league contract with the Washington Nationals on December 12th. He was released on August 26, 2022.

Career batting statistics for Franco through 2021 include:

• 820 games played
• 724 hits
• 148 doubles
• 121 home runs
• 428 RBIs
• 494 strikeouts to 209 walks
• .246 batting average

Career fielding statistics for Franco at third base through 2021 include:

• 756 games played
• 1,231 assists
• 115 double plays
• 498 putouts
• 76 errors
• .958 fielding percentage

Sources for Information
Wikipedia - Maikel Franco
ESPN - Maikel Franco
Baseball Reference - Maikel Franco