Nick Franklin hopes he can make Rays fans forget about Ben Zobrist.

The fact that he has many of the same skills as the two-time All-Star won't hurt his chances of succeeding.

The Lake Brantley High School graduate and former first round pick entered spring training with a solid chance to earn a regular starting job for the first time in his career.

The 24-year-old could start the regular season at either shortstop or second base, likely depending on which position the Rays choose to use the newly-signed Asdrubal Cabrera at.

Franklin's Zobrist-like ability to play multiple positions could come in very handy for the Rays.

"Any manager will tell you that they love versatility because it helps making out that lineup card," Rays first-year manger Kevin Cash said.

"You've got to have an open mindset going in," Franklin said.  "You've got to know that you're going to play 3-4 positions.  So the fact that I'm kind of capable of doing that helps me out."

Franklin was acquired by the Rays in last summer's David Price trade, which also included starting pitcher Drew Smyly.

Franklin, who at one time was a top prospect for the Seattle Mariners, split time each of the past two seasons between the major and minor leagues.

"Anytime that a player has a chance to or has the opportunity (to start every day) they're going to try to grasp it and be consistent with it," Franklin said.

"But I think more than anything I just don't want to think about the fact that I might have a chance.  I just want to just strictly think about the season."

Franklin has always been known for his tremendous work ethic, including at Lake Brantley High School.

He was a first team All-American and won a state championship with the Patriots in 2008.

His former head coach, Mike Smith, says that Franklin was such a leader that Smith saw him as an extension of the coaching staff as early as his sophomore year.

"I would get calls from our security because Nick would be out there with his dad hitting at 9, 10, 11 o'clock at night," Smith said.  "We'd have a three hour practice.  Nick would go home, do homework, eat, and then go back down there."

Franklin is the latest big leaguer to come from Lake Brantley, which has produced four major league All-Stars and big names like Jason Varitek, Felipe Lopez, Rickie and Jemile Weeks, and Franklin's new Rays teammate Jonny Venters.

"Nick comes up to me after practice and says, 'Coach- it was me.  I was down there hitting seeds.'  I said, 'Why are you hitting seeds, Nick?'  And he goes, 'Because that makes the baseball look like a volleyball.'"

Franklin, who at times eats in excess of 6,000 calories a day to help himself bulk up, started his offseason workouts most earlier than most players in November.

He trained in a competitive environment with Hall of Famer Barry Larkin and All-Star Dee Gordon.

Franklin is excited to play his first full season for a Rays franchise he grew up rooting for in his hometown of Longwood.  His parents are huge Rays fans who often drove to St. Pete to attend games during his childhood.

"More than anything, I just want to win," Franklin said.  "That's my ultimate goal."

"It's a blessing to wear the uniform.  And I think that anyone who gets a chance to do it is very lucky to do it."