Francisco doesn’t take starting job for granted

GOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP) — For the first time in his career, Ben Francisco is beginning the season with a starting job locked up. You wouldn’t know it from watching him work in the Cleveland Indians’ spring training camp.

“You can’t ever take anything for granted in this game,” Francisco said Monday, toweling the sweat off his face after yet another brisk session in the batting cages.

“I don’t look at it like I’m the starter. I still have to go out and earn it. Nothing is guaranteed.”

Francisco is having a solid spring. In 17 games, the outfielder has hit .298 with one homer and eight RBIs. He’s been successful on four of seven steal attempts, one area he’d like to improve.

“That’s something I can do to help this team — take an extra base,” said Francisco, who batted .266 with 15 homers and 54 RBIs after winning the left field job in Cleveland in 2008. “I have some speed, but there’s a lot more that goes into it. It’s reading pitchers, knowing the situation, the count, knowing when to run, when not to run. It is an ongoing process.”

Francisco also is spending more time in the weight room — not to bulk up, but to add strength that he hopes will keep him from wearing down over the course of a long season.

After opening the 2008 season at Triple-A, Francisco hit over .280 over his first four months in Cleveland before fading.

He batted only .165 with one homer and four RBI in his last 23 games.

“I want to be able to play as many games as possible without that happening,” Francisco said. “I feel fresher and hopefully that will translate to the season.”

Manager Eric Wedge liked the production he got from Francisco, who led American League rookies with 32 doubles while ranking second in extra-base hits (47), fourth in homers and fifth in RBIs.

“Benny did a good job for us and he did it in circumstances where he was thrown in,” Wedge said. “We were forced to bat him a little higher in the lineup and he went with it.”

When injuries sidelined No. 3 and No. 4 hitters Travis Hafner and Victor Martinez for three months in the middle of the season, Francisco filled in and did well.

“We’ve asked this guy to do a lot,” Wedge said, adding that he thinks Francisco will continue to thrive lower in the order this season. “I really do believe this guy wants to be an all-around player. He has the skills to do that, and I think we’re seeing that start to come together.”