Ben Francisco put a bow on his sterling spring with a three-run homer in the Phillies 7-6 win over the Astros Monday afternoon.
Francisco finished his spring hitting .385/.467/.677 with four home runs and 13 RBIs. Raul Ibanez raked a double, walked twice and scored two runs, while Shane Victorino went 2-for-3 with two RBIs and an assist from center field. Luis Castillo reached base in both at bats with a hit and a walk, scoring twice. In 22 plate appearances, the second baseman is working a .364 on-base percentage for the Phils. Former Nittany Lion Nate Bump got the win on the mound, scattering eight hits in five innings and surrendering just one run, and Danys Baez contributed a scoreless sixth. Once again, the Phils filled the later frames with a deluge of fresh faces, including relievers Derrick Loop, Mike Cisco and Ebelin Lugo. Having finished with a Grapefruit Leauge-best 20 wins (tied), the Phils head north for the On Deck series with the Pirates. - Written for Beerleaguer by Matt Grassie
"Frandsen, 28, has big league experience at third, short, first and both corner outfield positions, but he has played more games at second than at any other position. He hit .250/.294/.319 in 173 plate appearances for the Angels last year."
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2011/03/phillies-to-sign-kevin-frandsen.html
Posted by: Andrew | Monday, March 28, 2011 at 07:52 PM
Now there's the big signing we all thought was coming!
Posted by: timr | Monday, March 28, 2011 at 07:55 PM
'Tis a youth movement.
Posted by: Meyer | Monday, March 28, 2011 at 07:55 PM
We could field an entire team of fringe infielders at this point if we had to.
Posted by: Will Schweitzer | Monday, March 28, 2011 at 07:56 PM
Frandsen's minor league numbers look pretty good at first sniff, but I'm guessing that 1) he was too old for each level and 2) his numbers are inflated by playing in the PCL. Honestly I don't know much about him. If I had to guess, he'll go directly to AAA.
Posted by: krukker | Monday, March 28, 2011 at 07:57 PM
The record will reflect that, at 3:57 p.m. PST, I posted that we should sign Kevin Frandsen.
At 4:20 p.m. PST, the MLBTR article reported the signing.
I'm out-performing DPatrone's source.
Posted by: bay_area_phan | Monday, March 28, 2011 at 07:58 PM
If I had to guess, he'll go directly to AAA.
Ok the first line on MLBTR says this; I just missed it.
Posted by: krukker | Monday, March 28, 2011 at 07:58 PM
Insurance policy in case Castillo is terrible?
Posted by: NEPP | Monday, March 28, 2011 at 08:01 PM
krukker: His minor league numbers are clearly inflated, but he was still a Top 10 guy in the Giants' system for a couple years. Of course, that was back when their minor league system was terrible but the Giants sure did hype him quite a bit when he got called up.
I do think he's better than Mini-Mart and Orr, although it sounds like he won't get an immediate chance to earn his way onto the roster.
Posted by: bay_area_phan | Monday, March 28, 2011 at 08:02 PM
Castillo makes one "your momma" joke in the clubhouse and look what happens.
Posted by: rauls grandpa | Monday, March 28, 2011 at 08:10 PM
Castillo makes one "your momma" joke in the clubhouse and look what happens.
Posted by: rauls grandpa | Monday, March 28, 2011 at 08:10 PM
bap: I guess there's still a slight chance of upside then. Maybe he's a late bloomer. Really no down side to this signing, because the only way he'll see the big club is if he hits his way onto the team (or the injury bug bites some more).
Posted by: krukker | Monday, March 28, 2011 at 08:10 PM
Yo, new thread
Posted by: EastFallowfield | Monday, March 28, 2011 at 08:55 PM