PHOENIX - Before Maikel Franco took a fastball off his left wrist Tuesday, resulting in a not-as-bad-as-it-originally looked injury that could keep him out only a few games, the National League rookie of the year chatter was beginning to heat up.
The night before, Franco belted a mammoth, 455-foot home run, the Phillies' longest in three seasons, and interim manager Pete Mackanin was asked afterward about his third baseman's candidacy for year-end honors. Mackanin endorsed Franco as a candidate and added that he wouldn't count out centerfielder Odubel Herrera from the conversation, either.
Franco and Herrera are putting together two of the Phillies' best rookie campaigns since Ryan Howard took home first-year player honors in 2005.