NEW YORK -- While the Phillies tried to woo top free agent Manny Machado during the offseason, Maikel Franco was home in the Dominican Republic, preparing for his seventh big league season. Per the team’s request, the third baseman worked on adjusting his swing in order to hit more balls in the air. He lost weight. And he tried to ignore the constant speculation about Machado.

Machado’s arrival would have dislodged Franco, a former top prospect who found himself in a tenuous position after several years of underwhelming performances. Meanwhile, the Padres needed a third baseman and had emerged as a potential trade destination for Franco.

“I didn’t want to see what was happening,” Franco said in Spanish. “I simply got to work on the things I needed to work on, and ­if something was going to happen, it was going to happen at any moment. If they signed [Machado], if they didn’t sign him, something was going to happen. I put it out of my mind. I worked to prepare and to improve everything I had to improve.”

With Machado unsigned as Spring Training began, the uncertainty followed Franco as he reported to camp. But after all is said and done, Machado is manning third base for San Diego. And Franco is still very much a Phillie.

Was it a relief to Franco when Machado came off the market?

“You could say that it was,” Franco said. “When I got to Spring Training, I was thinking about what might and might not happen and it was on my mind a little more. But it happened, it was a relief, and here we are.”

Machado’s 10-year deal with the Friars didn’t guarantee Franco a starting role with Philadelphia, however. Instead, Franco slashed .270/.314/.467 in 2018, and Phillies manager Gabe Kapler informed him he would compete with Scott Kingery for the third-base job in Spring Training.

Franco prevailed.

“It never fazed him,” said Kapler of Franco’s approach to the competition. “When he left last year, we asked to come into camp in great shape. He did just that. He was slimmer, he was leaner, he was more powerful. He’s basically answered the bell at every turn so far, and it’s a testament to his mental toughness.”

Franco began the season batting eighth and had success hitting in front of the pitcher's spot, but moved up to the fifth slot with Jean Segura, Odubel Herrera and Kingery out of the lineup due to injuries. Franco entered Thursday's action hitting .271 with six home runs, 19 RBIs and an OPS of .905 in 24 games

Among the goals the Phillies set for Franco was elevating the ball more. The early results are encouraging: In 85 at-bats this season, Franco has an average launch angle of 19.6, compared to 9.5 in 2018. (Since Statcast began tracking it in 2015, Franco has an average launch angle of 11.2.)

“I’m not a hitter who is going to have success with ground balls,” Franco said. “I tried to work on trying to elevate the ball a little more, hitting more line drives and keeping the ball in the air more, and I think it’s giving me good results.”­

Franco, 26, has also impressed his team with his discipline in the batter’s box in the early going. He has struck out in just 7.1 percent of his plate appearances in 2019 and ranks second in the National League with 12.1 at-bats per strikeout. Moreover, he has swung at only 28.3 percent of the first pitches he’s seen this year, compared to 37.4 percent last year and 35.7 percent in his career.

Phillies hitting coach John Mallee attributes the improvements in part to a leg kick Franco has incorporated into his swing.

“It’s helped his pitch recognition because he hasn’t committed too early, because he’s not on the ground too soon,” Mallee said. “He’s able to recognize pitches during his advancement, during his stride, as opposed to being predetermined with his foot down early, so his plate discipline has totally improved. He’s swinging at better pitches, and consequently, he’s having a better offensive performance because you’re only as good as the pitches you swing at.”

Asked what stands out about Franco’s approach at the plate, Kapler brings up another statistic that speaks to Franco’s ability to put the ball in play: Right now, Franco is the only Major League hitter with at least 28 home runs and fewer than 70 strikeouts since the start of the 2018 season.

“It’s jarring,” Kapler said. “Those are really interesting numbers.”

“His contact skills are through the roof,” Mallee added. “If he can just keep it in the strike zone with the elite bat speed that he has and his elite contact skills, you can project that he’s going to hit better than he has in the past.”

Mallee believes the uncertainty of the offseason ultimately motivated Franco.

Said Mallee: “He really has bought into the swing path change, the lower-half change and his work and preparation, his dedication, his work in the weight room, his diet… He’s committed to being the best he can be, and that’s all we can ask.”