Franco wraps up Dominican League in torrid fashion

Phillies prospect Maikel Franco wrapped up an excellent off-season campaign in the Dominican Republic on Sunday, helping his team, the Gigantes, lock down the Dominican Winter League championship with a 3-for-4 effort that included a grand slam, a solo homer and seven total RBI.

Through 38 regular season games, the six-foot-one 180-pounder posted a .272 average with eight doubles, seven home runs and 29 RBI. His homer total was tied for second in the league.

Franco wrapped up the postseason with four home runs and 16 RBI to go along with his .337 average in 22 games.

The 22-year-old split his time evenly between first base and third base for the Gigantes through much of his time there.

Franco, one of the team’s most promising prospects, made his big league debut with the Phillies last September, when he tallied a .179/.190/.214 slash line in 16 games. He sported a .257 average with 16 home runs and 78 RBI in 133 contests for Triple-A Lehigh Valley last season.