Phillies call up prospect Maikel Franco

The Philadelphia Phillies are calling up prospect Maikel Franco, the team announced on Friday.

The Philadelphia Phillies are calling up prospect Maikel Franco, the team announced on Friday.

Over 33 games with Triple A affiliate Lehigh Valley this season, Franco, who is expected to play third base, recorded a .355 batting average with four home runs and 24 RBIs.

MLB.com ranked Franco the Phillies' No. 3 prospect in 2015.

"This was a baseball decision based on Maikel's development and performance," Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said. "We believe he is ready for the next step."

Philadelphia has yet to announce a corresponding roster move to make room for Franco. The Phillies begin a three-game series against the Arizona Diamondbacks in Philadelphia on Friday night.

The Phillies sit in last place in the NL East with a 13-23 record.

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