When Jayson Werth signed with the Washington Nationals in the offseason, it created a void in right field, and in the batting order. Many expected Domonic Brown to take over the job as the everyday right fielder, or at least platoon with Ben Francisco.
It didn’t take long for Brown to fall out of the equation. Brown got off to a terrible start in spring training, and then injured his hand. Brown’s injury made Francisco the starting right fielder by default, and so far Francisco has taken advantage of his opportunity.
He has been determined to prove that he is capable of being an everyday player. The former UCLA Bruin had an excellent spring training, hitting .386 (26 hits in 72 at-bats) with five home runs and 14 RBIs. Francisco was one of the biggest surprises in spring training, but numbers in the preseason of any sport can’t be taken that seriously, good or bad.
Now the regular season is here, and Francisco’s strong play from spring training has carried over. Five games into the season, Francisco is hitting .333, with two home runs and five RBIs. He hit a couple of deep fly balls in the first Mets game that will be home runs later in the summer when it’s hot and the wind isn’t blowing in from left field.
The outfielder has swung the bat very well, making good contact with the ball in the majority of his at-bats. What has been most impressive about Francisco has been his patience at the plate.
In his first two seasons as a Phillie, he had a tendency to swing wildly at bad pitches out of the strike zone. Now he appears to have 
the discipline that he didn’t have in the past. He has worked a number of deep counts, and hasn’t been fooled as often by bad pitches.
This young man knows that this will be his best chance to prove that he is capable of being an everyday player. To this point, he’s well on his way to proving that he can be. His defense is the only area of his game that hasn’t been great, but he’ll be able to improve as the season goes on.
Whether or not Francisco can sustain this level of play at the plate throughout the season remains to be seen, but for the time being he’s playing at a very high level and making people forget about Domonic Brown, for now.
Ben has been our MVP so far. Polanco is right behind him as well. Shane V needs to get it together. Once Chase comes back im hoping that we can anti up our home runs. Besides Ryan I dont have confidence in anyone to go deep on this team as of yet.
And when I say Shane V. he had a great game yesterday but overall he has struggled. I want him to be the guy we thought he would be at lead off.
Ben has played well but how could you say anybody other than Ryan Howard has been the team’s MVP. Howard is hitting over .500 with 8 RBI’s and 2 HR’s in five games.
Agree Mr. Cobb, and I hope the fans don’t quickly bail on Howard when he will slump as most power hitters do, but he looks like he could have an MVP season
True. But who expected Ben to play so well? I know I didnt. Ryans hitting .522!
those are beastly numbers. Is it too late to change my MVP?
Ummm…Isn’t it like 155 games left to play ?
Comparing Ben Fransisco Stats to Jason Werth
Jason: 0 RBI, 0 HR, .409 OB%, .278 Average
Ben: 5 RBI, 2HR, .391 OB%, .333 Average
Suck it Werth!
Cmon Gotta Luv it. Can we have some fun here?
I think Ben can be a Safety for the Eagles, they should work him out..
Just because you dont expect him to do what he’s doing, doesnt mean he’s an MVP. Also not that I’m a Werth fan, but to defend him, he is batting 2nd on a team that has no leadoff hitter… where ben is batting 6th for a team with a good 1-5.
zoltek. True. But Ben is MY mvp. He doesnt have to your mvp. In my opinion. To have to replace a guy like Jason and come the way he has come (so far) has earned my respect so I call him MVP.
As far as Jason CMON MAN! how dare you defend Jason Werth? thats a violation by all means.
Paulman Reports that Zoltek believes that Vricchini is not allowed to have his own opinion, Vricchini vehemently disagrees and responds accordingly…