Jeff Francoeur

Jeff Francoeur
Francoeur with the Philadelphia Phillies
Right fielder
Born:(1984-01-08)January 8, 1984 Atlanta,Georgia,U.S.
Batted:Right Threw:Right
MLB debut
July 7, 2005, for the Atlanta Braves
Last MLB appearance
October 2, 2016, for the Miami Marlins
MLB statistics
Batting average	.261
Home runs	160
Runs batted in	698
Teams
Atlanta Braves(2005–2009) New York Mets(2009–2010) Texas Rangers(2010) Kansas City Royals(2011–2013) San Francisco Giants(2013) San Diego Padres(2014) Philadelphia Phillies(2015) Atlanta Braves(2016) Miami Marlins(2016)
Career highlights and awards
Gold Glove Award(2007)

Jeffrey Braden Francoeur(/fræŋˈkʊər/;born January 8, 1984), nicknamed "Frenchy",is an American formerprofessional baseballright fielder,who played inMajor League Baseball(MLB) for theAtlanta Braves,New York Mets,Texas Rangers,Kansas City Royals,San Francisco Giants,San Diego Padres,Philadelphia Phillies,andMiami Marlins.When his playing days ended, he became a broadcaster; Francoeur is currently one of the lead television analysts for Atlanta Braves games, as well as doing various work for TBS.He also hosts a podcast called "Pure Athlete" that serves as a resource for coaches, parents, and kids going through the process of youth athletics.

A mid-season call-up for the Braves in 2005, he played in slightly fewer than half of his team's games that year and finished the season with impressive enough statistics to finish third in Rookie of the Year voting and aSports Illustratedcover story declaring him "The Natural". While he never again had similarly strong statistics, he continued to have a productive career, playing for 11 more seasons as a journeyman outfielder for seven more teams before retiring after a short stint with the Marlins in 2016. Throughout his career, Francoeur was noted for his strong throwing arm in the outfield and his free-swinging tendencies in the batter's box. He won aGold Glove Awardin2007.

Early life

Francouer graduated fromParkview High SchoolinLilburn, Georgiain 2002. He lettered in both baseball and football. He led Parkview to the Georgia 5A high school football championships in 2000 and 2001 as a wide receiver and defensive back. Francoeur was offered a scholarship to play wide receiver for theClemson Tigers,before turning that down and getting drafted in the first round (23rd overall) of the2002 MLB draft.He also led Parkview to two state titles in baseball in 2001 and 2002.Francoeur was inducted with the inaugural class of the Georgia High School Football Hall of Fame in October 2022.

Professional career

Draft and minor leagues

Francoeur was selected by the Braves in the first round of theJune 2002 MLB draft.A 4-stardefensive backcommitted toClemson,he chose to forego college to play baseball. After the draft, Francoeur was assigned to the team's advanced Rookie League club inDanville, Virginia,where he played 38 games and hit.327 with 8 home runs and 31 RBIs. Francoeur advanced steadily through the Braves minor league system, playing forRome(Low A) in 2003,Myrtle Beach(High A) andGreenville(former AA) in 2004, andMississippi(AA) in 2005.

Francoeur was a member of theRome Bravesinaugural season team which went on to win the 2003South Atlantic LeagueChampionship. He led that team in home runs with 14.

In 2004, Francoeur was named the top prospect in the Braves organization byBaseball America.He was a member of theCarolina Leagueregular season and postseason All-Star team. In 2005, he was selected to play in theAll-Star Futures Gamebefore getting called up by Atlanta.

Atlanta Braves (2005–2009)

Francoeur was promoted by Atlanta on July 6, 2005. He was part of a group of rookie players, nicknamed the "Baby Braves", that Atlanta called up from its minor league system during the2005 season.

Francoeur made his MLB debut the following day when he started in right field against theChicago Cubsin the second game of a double header. In the bottom of the eighth inning he hit a 3-run homer to center field, his first Major League hit. Francoeur is famous for his promise at the very beginning of his career: he made the cover of the edition of August 26, 2005 ofSports Illustrated,who dubbed him "The Natural" after he hit.360 with a 1.067 OPS in his first 37 games. Francoeur finished the season batting.300/.336/.549 in 67 games, with 14 home runs, and 44 RBIs. During his rookie season he garnered a reputation as a free swinging fastball hitter, with his first walk not coming until his 128th plate appearance. On defense, Francoeur became known for having a strong and accurate arm, finishing the season with 13 outfield assists (third overall in MLB) despite playing less than half the season. He finished third in the National LeagueRookie of the Yearvoting while garnering the most second place votes.

Francoeur hit.260 with 29 homers and 103 RBIs in his first full season in the majors. He also became just the fourth Brave to play in all 162 games of a season, joiningFélix Millán,Dale Murphy,andAndruw Jones.Francoeur was ejected for the first time in his career on July 16, 2006. On May 13, 2006, Francoeur hit a walk-offgrand slamoffChad Corderoof theWashington Nationals,the first walk-off home run and grand slam of his career.

In his second full season in2007,Francoeur batted.293, with 19 homers, and 105 RBIs. Francoeur also displayed talent on the defensive side of the field, leading the league in outfield assists with 19 while earning his first careerGold Glove.Francoeur played in all 162 games for the second consecutive season. He was ejected for the second time in his career on July 16, 2007, exactly one year to the day of his first ejection.

On April 12, 2008, Francoeur went 3 for 5 against theWashington Nationalsincluding two home runs and a career high seven RBIs. He compiled a streak of 370 consecutive games played before sitting out the second game of a doubleheader, on May 20, 2008.On May 22, 2008, Francoeur went 3 for 4 against theNew York Metswith an RBI triple, an RBI single, and a two-run home run, finishing a double short of a cycle.

After weeks of being mired in the worst slump of his career, Braves management optioned Francoeur to Double-A Mississippi on July 4, 2008, to work with his old hitting coachPhillip Wellmanand refine his swing away from the pressurized major league setting. Francoeur had posted a line of.234/.287/.374 to that point of the season.Francoeur was recalled on July 7, 2008, after only three days in the minors because of the rash of injuries suffered by the Braves, over the holiday weekend.His slump continued after his return to the majors; Francoeur posted a.234/.300/.324 line through September 10.

New York Mets (2009–2010)

On July 10, 2009, Francoeur was traded to the New York Mets for outfielderRyan Church.

Francoeur made his Mets debut on July 11, 2009, and notched two RBIs in his first at bat. He finished the day going 2–4 with two RBIs, a strikeout, and was caught stealing once. On July 20, Francoeur hit his first home run as a Met offWashington NationalspitcherLogan Kensing,during the ninth inning of that game.

On August 23, 2009, Francoeur became the second player in major league history (afterHomer Summain 1927) to hit into a game-endingunassisted triple play.He hit a line drive directly toEric Bruntlett,second baseman for thePhiladelphia Phillies.Francoeur re-signed with the Mets for2010.

After being the Mets' starting right fielder for the first half of the 2010 season, Francoeur was replaced byÁngel Pagánto make room for the return ofCarlos Beltránin the second half.

Texas Rangers (2010)

On August 31, 2010, Francoeur was traded by the Mets to the Texas Rangers for infielderJoaquín Árias.Francoeur was utilized primarily for defensive purposes on the 2010 AL Champions. In the2010 World Seriesagainst theSan Francisco Giantshe went hitless in 6 World Series at bats.

Kansas City Royals (2011–2013)

Francoeur during his tenure with theKansas City Royals in 2011

On December 8, 2010, Francoeur signed a one-year deal with the Kansas City Royals worth $2.5 million which included a mutual option for the 2012 season.

On August 18, 2011, Francoeur agreed to a two-year extension with the Royals worth $13.5 million. He was designated for assignment on June 30, 2013 after hitting.208/.249/.322 in 59 games with the Royals.

Jeff Francoeur, Brandon Snyder, Doug Sisson

San Francisco Giants (2013)

Francoeur was signed to a minor league contract by the Giants, on July 9, 2013. On July 13, his contract was purchased from theFresno Grizzlies.Francoeur was designated for assignment on August 20, and released on August 22. In 22 games for the Giants, he recorded 12 hits, 4 RBIs, batting only.194.

Cleveland Indians

Francoeur signed a minor league deal with theCleveland Indianson January 6, 2014. The organization released Francoeur on March 22, 2014.

San Diego Padres (2014)

Francoeur signed a minor league deal with the San Diego Padres, on March 26, 2014.He was assigned to the Triple-AEl Paso Chihuahuasand hit the first home run in team history on April 3, 2014. They considered converting him into a pitcher, and he spent part of his time in the minors pitching. However, they decided to keep him as an outfielder in the end.He was called up and was in the starting lineup on July 23.On August 11, Francoeur was designated for assignment.He cleared waivers and was outrighted back to the Chihuahuas. Francoeur elected free agency in October 2014.

In March 2014, after he was released by the Cleveland Indians, Francoeur signed with the San Diego Padres and was sent to theEl Paso Chihuahuasin Triple A.Francoeur's new teammates played an elaborate month-long prank on him by convincing him that pitcherJorge Reyeswas deaf.Reyes cooperated with the prank, maintaining the appearance of being deaf by not speaking or listening to music.Chihuahuas first baseman/outfielderCody Deckermade a short film about the prank.

Philadelphia Phillies (2015)

On November 13, 2014, Francoeur signed a minor league contract with the Philadelphia Phillies. On June 16, 2015, Francoeur was used as a relief pitcher in a 19–3 loss to theBaltimore Orioles,throwing the only scoreless inning of the game.However, he surrendered two runs in the next inning.In July, he began to have success both off the bench and in the starting lineup, including a stretch during which he hit three home runs in eight games. Although he expressed a desire to remain with the Phillies through the 2015 season and perhaps even beyond, his play indicated he might be moved near the trading deadline to bolster a contending team's outfield.However, he was not moved at the trade deadline. Ultimately, he finished the season with a.258 batting average, 13 home runs, and 45 RBIs.

Second stint with the Braves (2016)

On February 22, 2016, Francoeur agreed to a minor-league deal with the Braves, with an invitation to spring training.On March 29, the Braves purchased Francoeur's contract.

Miami Marlins (2016)

Francoeur was traded to the Miami Marlins on August 24, 2016, in a three-team deal that included the Texas Rangers. The Braves got minor league utility playerDylan Moorefrom the Rangers and minor league catcher Matt Foley from the Marlins.

Broadcasting career

On May 12, 2017, it was announced that Francoeur would become acolor analystfor select Atlanta Braves baseball games broadcast onFox Sports SouthandFox Sports Southeast.On November 29, 2018, the Braves announced that Jeff Francoeur would replaceJoe Simpsonas their lead television analyst.In September 2019, it was announced that he had been hired byTBSto work as an analyst for the network'sNL Wild Card Game,NLDS(Washingtonvs.Los AngelesalongsideErnie Johnson Jr.) andNational League Championship Series(NLCS)alongsideBrian AndersonandRon Darling.He repeated this role in 2020 for American League playoff games, as TBS had the AL contract that year.

International career

Along with former Braves teammateChipper Jones,Francoeur played on theUSA teamin the first everWorld Baseball Classic,in March 2006. In sixat bats,he hit adouble,and scored onerun.

Personal life

Francoeur comes from a family of teachers. His parents, David and Karen, are both retired teachers. Francoeur's father, who is of French-Canadian heritage, is fromSpringfield, Massachusetts;his mother is fromGreen Bay, Wisconsin.His sister Heather (Francoeur) Karvis used to teach English and co-coached the girls' basketball team atSt. Pius X Catholic High Schoolin Atlanta with Josh Geffner. She now teaches and coaches the varsity girls basketball team atThe Westminster Schoolsin Atlanta.His brother David Francoeur, Jr. teaches special education at Parkview High School in Lilburn, Georgia.In 2007, onSportSouththe "Big Braves Summer" promos, Francoeur revealed that his profession of choice (were he not a baseball player) would be coaching high schoolfootball.

While in third grade, he met his future wife, Catie McCoy. They started dating as seniors in high school, and married on November 3, 2007.Francoeur lived with teammateBrian McCanninLawrenceville, Georgiafor their first two years in the majors,and he had his own fan club atTurner Fieldcalled "Francoeur's Franks."

In 2007, Francoeur participated in a fundraiser for the Atlanta-based charity with his friend Carl SchusterDream House for Medically Fragile Childrenin whichDelta Air Linesdonated the value of 25,000SkyMiles(frequent flyer miles) for each home run hit by Francoeur during the season.

Francoeur is a vocal and outspokenborn-again Christian.On the strap of his left batting glove, Francoeur has the phrase "Joshua 1:9"written, referencing theBibleverse.

Francoeur now hosts a podcast called "Pure Athlete" that serves as a resource for youth sports coaches, parents, and athletes.

External links

• Career statistics and player information fromMLB,orESPN,orBaseball Reference,orFangraphs,orBaseball Reference (Minors),orRetrosheet