Francoeur needs to take a hint or he’ll go nowhere in career
Let me start by saying that for as much as he was ridiculed and lampooned during his spectacular crash with the Braves — and later in his many miserable months as a New York Met — former hometown hero Jeff Francoeur is one of the nicest guys you’re ever going to meet. He’s one of the finest all-around athletes you’re going to find in baseball, or any pro sport.
But one day in the midst of Francoeur-mania here in Atlanta, when the lower profile of the Braves’ two whiz kids, Brian McCann, was just starting to ascend, hitting coach Terry Pendleton said something to me: “I think we’ve all been paying attention to the wrong guy.”
Francoeur, once projected to be a franchise staple in right field for the Braves, like Dale Murphy, was traded for the second time in 13 months Tuesday night when the Mets dealt him to the Texas Rangers. He is a perfect illustration of how talent, energy and effort doesn’t guarantee success. He was hitting only .237 with the Mets, after actually having a career rebound following the trade to New York in July of 2009 (hitting .311 after starting the year .250 with the Braves).
Francoeur is still young enough (26) and certainly talented enough to have a solid career. But he has two significant problems he needs to fix:
♦ 1.) He’s hard-headed. He’s immature. For as good a guy as he is, he had a difficult time taking advice from Braves teammates and coaches. He never learned patience. The result was him trying to battle out of a slump himself. He pressed. Daily. Baseball can afford a hitter four chances a night and 24 to 28 in a week to break out of a slump. But that’s also more opportunities to go borderline psycho if an athlete doesn’t handle situations correctly. Francoeur didn’t handle things correctly. He opted for psycho.
♦ 2.) Francoeur’s representation has been poor. Baseball players don’t have salary leverage early in their careers. They must take what teams give them and wait until arbitration rights come around. McCann and his agent did so without a peep. Then in 2007, the Braves gave him a six-year contract. Conversely, Francoeur received bad advice from his agent, Molly Fletcher. They were unhappy with the Braves’ annual offers. Braves’ management rolled their eyes.
Then a few weeks ago, when Francoeur was being platooned, Fletcher actually requested a trade from the Mets, telling the Newark Star-Ledger: “We want to play every day.”
You want to make your client look bad real quick? Request a trade when he’s in a 15-for-88 slump.
Francoeur’s career is dropping parts on the highway. It’s not what anybody envisioned when he appeared on the Sports Illustrated cover five years ago this week. But guys labeled, “The Natural,” generally have more than talent.
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175 comments Add your comment
bufbox
September 1st, 2010
10:43 am
who ur wife? … Coach Ballbreaker?
Jordan Darnell
September 1st, 2010
10:45 am
Just so u know he addressed those rumors about him wanting to be played or traded on TV on sportsnite NY and said it wasn’t true. Just another typical NY article to turn fans against him, it worked for some others not so well. I am a huge Franceour fan and followed him on the Mets daily ( always took a back seat to my braves tho) and will continue to do so with the Rangers,(thanks 2 direct Tv mlb package) I’m reading all these comments and was wondering if I should respond or not, as we are al entitled to our own opinions. I know the guy’s not perfect, but in each of the times I’ve met him he’s been really nice and always made time for the fans, he is a great guy who struggles at the plate, and I would be a fool to be blind to this. I wish him a successful career, and will remain a fan.
Love the Braves in NC
September 1st, 2010
10:46 am
Excellent article, Jeff, right on the money. I have always liked Francoeur – still do – but of the two GOOD reasons you stated above, #1 is probably foremost. He has to fix himself first then assess his representation.
Ted M
September 1st, 2010
10:50 am
Rangers Ballpark in Arlington is much better for hitters maybe that will help. Then again maybe that will encourage him to swing for the fences and he gets worse.
Ted M
September 1st, 2010
10:53 am
I wonder if JF’s red hot start this year delayed maturing as a patient hitter.
roja
September 1st, 2010
10:58 am
Best of luck Frenchy. You STILL make McClouth and Church look like A-ball players with your defense, your arm and, yes, even your bat!!!
Dan
September 1st, 2010
10:58 am
Tebow’s Tears – You’re right. I happen to know at least one of the ladies he fooled around with. He used to troll around Peachtree Tavern looking for more ladies.
roja
September 1st, 2010
10:59 am
Lest we forget, the Rangers have the best hitting coach in all of baseball…..
DP
September 1st, 2010
11:06 am
Please, enough about Francouer’s alleged talent and how he could hit major league pitching if he just adjusted his approach. How many thousands of at bats flailing at high fastballs and sliders in the dirt does it take before people realize that he’s not even a marginal major league hitter for a corner outfielder?
Ted M
September 1st, 2010
11:07 am
Hurdle was named the team’s hitting coach on Nov. 5, 2009…he will be just the Rangers’ second hitting coach in the last 16 seasons (1995-2010) and is the only new addition on the club’s 2010 staff.
not sure he’s the best?
vmguru
September 1st, 2010
11:08 am
For those of us old enough to remember, Francoeur unfortunately became another Brad Komminsk.
Les W. Moore
September 1st, 2010
11:09 am
Your appraisal of JF seems believable. So how does a coddled millionaire professional jock learn humility?
If he plays one or two more years in MLB, then he’ll be years ahead of his classmmates from Parkview. So if he loses, he’s already won.
John Russell
September 1st, 2010
11:14 am
Did anyone ever think by now that he simply does not have enough talent to play? Since when does Sports Illustrated prove correct when it comes to judging talent.
Francoeur-Nice guy that thought he was better than he was or ever will be. Over under in the show? I call it three years max and that includes a combined 300 games or less including the DH role however who needs a DH that strikes out with his stats.
He simply does not have major league talent. When does everyone FINALLY figure it out? Answer is after 2011 when he is outright released and then assigned to any designated team.
Where can you find that Braves contract then, Frenchy? I shed NO tears for him.
Lots of nice guys in the show and minors….Enough said.
McCann is class act and has the respect from EVERY ball player in both leagues. He is headed to the HOF and you won’t hear him complaining or with the Francoeur famous quotes that he is too good to be sent down. How bout being sent down to A ball now with Jose Conseco?
82Dawg
September 1st, 2010
11:14 am
Sounds like it is time for a new agent, that actually understands when to open their mouth and when not to.
Dr. Phil
September 1st, 2010
11:16 am
I don’t doubt that Francoeur is a good guy, and I wish him well. Just not with the Braves. No question that agents are parasites and do great harm to players’ reputations with the fans.
SickandTired
September 1st, 2010
11:16 am
So let me get this straight from the posters above….he should have played football, his agent is a jerk, he is stubborn and doesn’t work right, and he has no wienee and he’s trolling for women at Peachtree Tavern. My God, all this because he doesn’t have patience at the plate or is it just the other way around? He always seemed like a good kid n high school, he’s making more money than most of the people in this forum and he’s going to a contender. The only thing he can’t work on is that wienee thing but hopefully he’ll get past that too.
Stuart
September 1st, 2010
11:28 am
He needs to cut back on his free swinging at the plate… Needs more discipline and patience at the plate…
Coach
September 1st, 2010
11:29 am
GUys, not to say that he wasn’t an outstanding high school talent but have you seen how many scrubs there are playing high school sports?!?!?!?! More than half of any team isn’t going to play at the next level. Half of those kids are only playing because they happen to be the best option at that position.
There is an astronomical difference between even pitchers in A ball than your average high school pitcher. The fact that he had as much success as he did during those first couple of years is remarkable considering he swings the same not matter the pitch or the location.
The league has learned his tendencies at the plate and I would bet that he will continue to put up similar numbers until he changes pretty much everything about his approach/swing.
Delbert D.
September 1st, 2010
11:29 am
Clemson could still use him at safety.
Dr. Warren
September 1st, 2010
11:31 am
Seems it is a skills problem, not a talent problem.
reno
September 1st, 2010
11:33 am
As I posted over a year ago, I still believe that Francoeur has vision problems stemming from his minor league facial fracture/orbit injury. I contend that this has developed over time, with scarring or other progressive deterioration causing a diminution in his ability to “track the baseball” in flight. This is something that would not be picked up on routine eye examinations which only measure “static” visual acuity. What else explains his “stubborness” in his approach to hitting? He constantly “guesses,” (ie. makes decision to swing even before pitch is thrown) and as a result of this approach, Jeff has the highest “swing at first pitch” percentage in MLB. To explain this as persistent “stubborness” and “pride” is just plain foolishless. Nobody is this stubborn or this proud. Jeff is only 26. It is unthinkable that he has lost all of the natural athletic ability that he has been blessed with so early in his life. So again, I contend that it all comes down to the old baseball addage, “see ball, hit ball.” Francouer, sadly, can’t see the baseball in flight well enough to use the talent with which he is so abundantly blessed. It is a crying shame, to say the least.
ps. McClouth has similar problem. He can’t track the pitch in flight well enough to square it up on the barrel. (and that “one-handed” tennis swing of his is abominable!)
L R
September 1st, 2010
11:34 am
The best hitting instructor is here in Atlanta and he has been J. Heyward’s tutor since he was 15yrs old.. Not to mention D. Fowler, A. McClutchen and Kyle Parker’s too..C.J.Stewart can turn you around Jeff, just call him..
DoninTococca
September 1st, 2010
11:38 am
Just finished the Sandy Koulfax book and what a read. Jeff, please take some time to think some about what is going on and please … talk to a great baseball mind and person, Bobby Cox. He won’t stear you wrong and frankly, you can use it. It is NOT too late but NOW is the time to get yourself in line for a good career in a great sport.
DP
September 1st, 2010
11:47 am
Reno, that’s a nice rationalization, but the player who has had actual documented vision problems is McCann, and it hasn’t stopped him from being an outstanding major league hitter. In addition to their differences in ability to recognize pitches, look at McCann’s swing relative to Francouer’s. Francouer looks like he’s chopping wood.
Billy Ray Valentine
September 1st, 2010
11:48 am
the dude is done. won’t make adjustments, won’t learn to be patient, won’t even try something else.
After his contract is out, who is going to pay the $5million asking price that Molly Hatchet is going to ask for?
Why pay $5mill for a RF that hits .240, 11HRs, and drives in 60 runs?
you can get that production anywhere, and for much less.
Jeff Francoeur Baseball Academy…..coming soon to Lilburn.
Bets
September 1st, 2010
11:51 am
Go Frenchy!!!!!!
We still luv ya.
Wouldn’t it be ironic: Texas Rangers vs. Atlanta Braves world series?
You still want to bet against Jeff when he comes to bat?
Hope ur back in Atlanta some day. OR the YANKEES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We Drink This State
September 1st, 2010
11:51 am
The kid always had an ego the size of the state of Texas, so he’s where he belongs. All hat and no cattle.
Ted Striker
September 1st, 2010
11:52 am
Fletcher did a much better job repping John Smoltz during his playing career however not so sure she helped him as much toward the end.
An agent who touts herself as “the female Jerry McGuire” on her website comes across a little as someone who has an idea that maybe it’s more about her than her clients. Worldwide Wes isn’t even a sports agent — and athletes and others beat his door down just to get a connection.
Meanwhile, Molly Fletcher is hawking autographed copies of her book for $15.70
If I were Francoeur, I’d tell her to go into the kitchen and bake me some biscuits and then I’d fire her.
JEB
September 1st, 2010
11:56 am
Brian Jordan, after growing in football
turned around and went the Baseball
route.
Frenchy should consider the opposite
before it’s too late.
He could be GREAT there!
Pedro Cerrano
September 1st, 2010
11:56 am
I’d like to see the Fox SportsSouth “Up Close” segment again…just for laughs!
Just Saying...
September 1st, 2010
11:57 am
Reliable Schultz, saying what needs to be said.
Kapoonka
September 1st, 2010
12:00 pm
He lacks finesse and judgement. This guy has all the tools, but with no idea on how to use them he will continue to falter. He played himself with the Braves…..seems the same thing happened with the Mets. Perhaps his ego has shunk enough for him to absorb a little advice. He’s young enough to rebound, and I hope he will.
wayn-o
September 1st, 2010
12:01 pm
need a “like” button
Billy Ray Valentine
September 1st, 2010
12:05 pm
Bets,
Sure I would bet against a .237 free-swinger like Jeff every time.
There’s a reason he’s hitting .237, and it ain’t bad luck.
Keep luvin’ on him just cause he’s a hometown kid and a high school hero.
Eraserhead
September 1st, 2010
12:06 pm
Just compare Frenchy to Jason Heyward. Jason has a disciplined approach to the strike zone and Jeff is just a hacker. Heyward is a baseball player in every way while Francoeur is a football player trying to play baseball, much like Lombard.
Harvey
September 1st, 2010
12:09 pm
An overpaid prima donna, and just a flash-in-the-pan.
sad brotha
September 1st, 2010
12:12 pm
Excellent piece! Francoeur got a pass in the ATL due to his home-boy status. That same pass doesn’t follow one who is far away from home. He needed to fly the coop years ago and grow up. Being nice can prolong a career and this is proven with his anemic batting average. He’ll be out of baseball within two years.
Lou Brown
September 1st, 2010
12:14 pm
His maturity was an issue early in his career. It was not helped by the Braves rushing him to the majors in the middle of the 2005 season. He could have benefited from more seasoning and instruction in the minors, or possibly going the 2-sport route in college. As it now stands, he is damaged goods.
Will
September 1st, 2010
12:14 pm
Jeff:
I have talked to two reliable sources close to the Ranger organization this morning.
It appears the Rangers will most likely make no effort to keep Jeff beyond the end of this season.
It has been heartbreaking to see a nice kid like Jeff, an athlete with tremendous potential, come to the end of the road at such a young age.
Who would have EVER thought that Kyle Davies might last longer in the big leagues than our former golden boy from Parkview.
CarpetBagger
September 1st, 2010
12:14 pm
Millions wasted on a below-average player… and he is still playing? What idiots! H
Billy Ray Valentine
September 1st, 2010
12:15 pm
Maybe there are some Lassiter High School pitchers that pitch in the American League.
According to SportsSouth “Up Close” segment he was able to mash some high school pitching.
Long Time Braves Fan
September 1st, 2010
12:17 pm
Recently when Francoeur hit a game winning home run to lift the Mets to a win over the Braves he celebrated as if he had just won the World Series. He later told the press that running the bases he felt like he was “in the clouds” or something to that effect. Give me a break. That should give some insight to where his head is at. It’s not like the Braves mistreated and that was one of the few things he did this season to help his current team. To shove one shining moment in the face of the team that gave him his first chance only to be let down wss bush league. I give him two more years in MLB before he’s done.
Greg
September 1st, 2010
12:17 pm
Jeff Francouer is John Rocker without the racism.
Kentavo
September 1st, 2010
12:18 pm
Isn’t there an Irish pub in Savannah named Molly Fletcher’s?
Nick Mileti
September 1st, 2010
12:19 pm
Anybody remember the name Joe Charboneau?
This is a case of history repeating itself.
Billy Ray Valentine
September 1st, 2010
12:21 pm
Remember when Jeff was struggling here in Atlanta, and the Braves sent him back to AA to work on his swing.
It’s my understanding from talking with people within the organization that Jeff requested to go to AA because he knew that the pitching would be a little easier to handle, therefore making it easier for him to hit.
AAA pitching is not that much different than big league pitching, and at the time he wasn’t hitting big league pitching, so he wanted nothing to do with AAA pitching.
And if i do recall he did make a big stink about being sent down and how that was unfair of the Braves to send him down, after all, he’s The Natural.
Oh yeah Jeff…..that’s a real class act and a nice guy.
Pop Fisher
September 1st, 2010
12:26 pm
Undisciplined, Uncoachable, and soon to be Unemployed.
jsatt32
September 1st, 2010
12:29 pm
I don’t know Jeff personally, however, I have met him numerous times getting autographs and actually hung out with him and Brian McCann one night at Wild Bills when they were there for a concert and Brian’s bachelor party. Jeff is one of the most fan friendly players I have ever seen. He seems to be a good guy and come from a home where he was raised right by his parents!
We are in a time where if a player does not produce, they are not liked as a person. Fans need to learn to keep these two catagories seperate. I don’t hear fans bashing Heyward personally! I hope Jeff gets it together (in baseball) and lives up to the talent that everyone knows he has and is capable of producing!
gtmike
September 1st, 2010
12:31 pm
Jeff is not a nice guy except maybe to reporters. He’s a typical idiot jock in normal life.
All I'm Saying...
September 1st, 2010
12:32 pm
Baseball is about making adjustments. Pitchers test you when you first make it to the Bigs in terms of determining whether you can handle a major league fastball. Once you prove that you can (which Francoeur did), they then test you to see if you can handle the breaking pitch (which Francoeur did initially). After that, they then test you to see if they can get you to chase pitches out of the strike zone, basically trying to determine if you are a disciplined and smart batter. Francoeur continues to fail this test.
Frenchy bats like a football player: go hard at the first thing you see moving towards you. Don’t think about what happened your last at bat, what pitch came before, what the count is, or even who is pitching and their tendencies. And to top it all off we hear that he is stubborn i.e. I’ll do it my way. No wonder he has never improved as a hitter. .237 is about right for him. And what’s worse for him is that in the American League, he will see even more breaking balls out of the strike zone.
I don’t care who the hitting instructor is, if a player won’t take advice in the batting cage and/or won’t take advice with them from the batting cage to an actual plate appearance, then they have no chance at succeeding.
I say Frenchy should pull a reverse-Ankiel and become a pitcher to salvage his major league career. If he has trouble getting his fastball over then he should take up the knuckler as with that pitch, one can play until they are 50.
LET’S GO BRAVES!