Nick Franklin continues to make right first impressions with Rays
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- There's still much to learn about Nick Franklin. These are the earliest glimpses of him in a Tampa Bay Rays uniform, and the September teases are either indicative of what the utility man will offer in the future or they're something else. He'll always be one of the three players gained in the David Price trade, so there will be intrigue whenever his name is considered.
He'll always be a face of the Rays' post-Price reality.
But each player is allowed a chance to make a lone first impression. That's it. Nothing more. Franklin, for the most part, has aced his.
Saturday, he received his third start with Tampa Bay since his recall Monday from Triple-A Durham, and he cracked a monster two-run home run to right field in the bottom of the second inning that helped lift the Rays to a 3-1 victory over the Chicago White Sox at Tropicana Field. The shot was estimated at 413 feet, though it seemed it could have sailed much farther if the C-ring catwalk weren't in the way. He continues to be solid.
He continues to make the right first impression.
"I try not to think about it at all," Franklin said. "I just try to go out and play hard. Joe Maddon told me right from the get-go, 'There are no rules, just play hard.' And if I can just do that, I think other things will take care of itself."
It's hard to tell what any of his early results mean. Franklin joined the Rays too late in the season, with their playoff hopes all but dashed at the time, to gain a true read on if he's prepared to contribute in a strong way in 2015. He had decent numbers at Triple-A this season -- he hit .272 with 11 home runs, 56 RBI and had 11 stolen bases -- but he has just 123 games in parts of two seasons in the majors to his name. He has more growth to come.
Still, it's intriguing to consider his future. The Rays view him as a sort of Ben Zobrist 2.0. They envision him becoming a chess piece to slide all over the field: Infield, outfield, whatever. He played 51 games at Triple-A this season at second base and 41 at shortstop, but he's willing to try his hand in one of the three outfield spots as well.
Saturday's game was a good indicator of why manager Joe Maddon and Rays management view Franklin as interesting. He played second base, allowing Zobrist to slide into left field. The home run was a rare display of power -- Franklin had just 12 home runs in the majors before Saturday, all last year with the Seattle Mariners -- though Maddon will bristle if you call Franklin's power deceptive. The manager considers Franklin's potential for pop to be more.
"Anybody you would talk to would tell you it's not deceptive, it's for real," Maddon said. "He's got real power. You could see the ball come off his bat. That ball came off really hot."
The same could be said for Franklin's start with the Rays. He has hit 5 for 11 with one home run and three RBI in four games (three starts) with them after he was hitless in his final 16 at-bats with the Mariners before being traded. The positive transition is revealing of his mental strength while acclimating himself to his new environment.
The best-case scenario for the Rays, of course, would be that Franklin continues his ascent. It would give them a player who could serve a variety of roles and add depth to their roster. There's always room for a Swiss Army knife talent, as long as Franklin can prove he can be consistent at this level.
So far, the returns are good. His ceiling is something to consider as this season ends.
"I think it's exciting, honestly, just being on the same field as these guys and playing for an organization that cares to win," said Franklin, a native of Sanford, Florida. "I can't be more excited than that. Even being close to home, that's something I never really expected at all. So I'm more than happy, and I'm more excited just to be with this organization."
The comfort has become clear with the opening glances of him in a Rays uniform. He has more to show. More will be learned about his skill in time, either through his play here or in Durham later. But these early views hint at something strong.
That's not a bad way to begin.
You can follow Andrew Astleford on Twitter @aastleford or email him at aastleford@gmail.com.
