Can Franklin and Zunino save Zduriencik’s job?
Jun 20, 2013, 8:25 PM | Updated: 8:27 pm
By Brady Henderson
Mariners shortstop Brendan Ryan, as credible a source as there is on playing middle infield, gave strong reviews of second baseman Nick Franklin’s defense when he joined “Bob and Groz” on Thursday.
“Everyone sees the arm strength,” Ryan said. “He’s probably benefited from [coming up as a shortstop]. It is a different position, it’s a different angle, so some things can get a little weird the way the ball comes off the bat of righties and stuff. But he’s got good action and he wants to get better.”
Franklin has been no slouch at the plate, either. He entered Thursday’s game hitting .280 with a .365 on-base percentage, nine extra-base hits and six RBIs in 22 games.
A hot start to an MLB career is one thing. Sustaining that early success is another. If Franklin and fellow rookie Mike Zunino enjoy strong rookie seasons, will that be enough to absolve general manager Jack Zduriencik of the blame he’s shouldered for the other highly-regarded prospects who have so far failed to pan out?
Bob Stelton and Dave Grosby discuss that question in the video below.
You can listen to Thursday’s show here.
