Jesse Biddle Strikes Out Maikel Franco

Two of the Phillies brightest future stars had a chance to shine today at Citi Field.

Maikel Franco represented the Phillies on the World team.  Franco played designated hitter. Do you play designated hitter? Anyways, since he did not get to show off his defensive skills, we can only judge him on the two at bats he had. In his first at bat he hit a ball 400 feet to center for an out.  Despite the out, rest assured Franco showed in just one at bat that he has the fat hands and load needed to be a legitimate power threat. Fat hands and load are things prospects need to be successful. I learned that from somewhere on the internet.

It was his next at bat where the drama unfolded.

Jul 14, 2013; Flushing , NY, USA; USA pitcher Jesse Biddle throws a pitch during the 2013 All Star Futures Game at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Jesse Biddle came in to the game in the fourth inning because the other schmuck whose job it was to get the guys out in that inning could not get the job done. Also, infamous masher Makiel Franco was due up. The U.S. team needed to get Franco out. Biddle was their man.

Before the game. Biddle said if he had the chance to face Franco he would strike him out. The kid was right. Biddle struck out Franco with three pitches, two of which were cartoonishly good curve balls.  As Biddle walked off the mound he mouthed “Suck It,” over and over again as Franco lowered his head in shame.

Biddle would go on to pitch a scoreless fifth and earn the win in a 4-2 victory for the U.S. team.

Truthfully, Biddle is a big fan of Franco.  “We played together in the GCL. He was one of the first guys I talked to. He definitely didn’t speak much English back then. He’s gotten a lot better at it. He’s a really smart kid. He’s genuinely a very, very nice person. That’s universal. He’s a lot of fun to have in the clubhouse. He’s a goofy guy.”  You can read more quotes from Biddle and Franco here.

These two are the Phillies future. I mean, they played in a game that says they are.  They could be in your local Citizens Bank Park as early as 2014.