Why Jason Heyward (baseball) isn’t Jeff Francoeur (football)
Jason Heyward rounds third after his Opening Day homer. (AJC photo by Phil Skinner)
Both were first-round draft picks from the Atlanta suburbs, both right fielders. Both hit home runs in their first big-league games, each against the Cubs. Both were given the Sports Illustrated treatment in the early days of their rookie seasons. But if you ask in the Braves’ clubhouse about further similarities between Jeff Francoeur and Jason Heyward, you won’t find many.
What you’ll hear instead is an admission of a key difference: That one was a football player, while the other is a baseball player.
The intent isn’t to belittle Francoeur, who had three good-to-excellent seasons as a Brave. He hit .300 as a rookie in 2005 and drove in more than 100 runs in 2006 and 2007. But when his early blush of success faded, it spawned a full-blown backlash fueled by a fundamental flaw: Francoeur swung at everything, and when in doubt he swung harder.
That was the football player in him. (Again, we must stipulate: Francoeur was a great high school football player.) A football player believes nothing can’t be fixed by sheer effort. It’s one of the reasons that oft-cited criticism of the Braves in postseason — that they weren’t “emotional enough” — was such a canard. Untrammeled emotion in baseball doesn’t make you Joe DiMaggio; it makes you an easy out.
Baseball is a game of skill and precision, not strength and mass. It’s noteworthy that Heyward, who grew up in a football state, never played the sport. (According to Jeff Passan of Yahoo! Sports, Heyward’s dad wouldn’t let him.) And here we come to the fundamental difference between the two: Francoeur, who’s a bright guy, always seemed to fall back on raw talent no matter how many coaches he consulted, while Heyward has fused a happier amalgam of ability and analysis.
Jeff Francoeur belts his debut homer. (AP photo)
I saw Francoeur in a playoff doubleheader at Parkview High. He swung at the first pitch five times. He went 1-for-7, the hit being a home run. We contrast this with Heyward, who while playing for Henry County High often left scouts disappointed because he walked too much. In his SI story, Tom Verducci quotes an unnamed Cleveland official — the Indians owned the 13th pick in the 2007 draft, one ahead of the Braves — as saying, “We didn’t see him swing the bat enough to feel comfortable taking him that high.”
It took Francoeur 128 big-league plate appearances to draw a walk; it took Heyward 16. In 70 games as a rookie, Francoeur walked 11 times; in 40 games, Heyward has walked 25 times. One was all exuberance (sometimes irrational); the other is patience personified.
As John Perrotto noted in Baseball Prospectus, when Heyward hit .103 over from Games 11 through 20 the Braves advised him “to be more aggressive early in the count and consider swinging at more first pitches.“ This from the same voices — Bobby Cox and Terry Pendleton — who could never convince Francoeur not to swing so early and so often.
Which only goes to show: A manager or a coach can talk until the cows come home, but it’s difficult for a player to change who he is. Yogi Berra swung at lousy pitches but was good enough to hit them. Ted Williams never had a 200-hit season — Ichiro Suzuki has never not had a 200-hit season — because he refused to swing at anything that wasn’t a strike. (Rule No. 1 in Williams’ “The Science of Hitting”: “Get a good pitch to hit.”)
What worked for Francoeur worked well enough for Sports Illustrated to dub him “The Natural,” but then it stopped working. He’s hitting .219 for the Mets, and his on-base percentage is a lamentable .278. As the ballpark bromide goes: Talent can get you to the majors, but talent alone won’t keep you there. You have to keep adjusting, keep thinking.
As well as Heyward plays the game, he thinks it even better. Last month he walked by Pendleton en route to the batting cage, and the hitting coach asked if, seeing as how Colorado lefthander was that day’s starter, Heyward would like a lefthander to throw to him. “No,” he said. “The last time I hit against a lefty [in BP], I went 0-for-3.”
Five hours later, Jason Heyward came to bat with two out in the ninth inning. He took the first four pitches. Then he won the game with an opposite-field single. Jeff Francoeur might well have won the same game — he had some big hits, let’s remember — but he wouldn’t have won it the same way.
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217 comments Add your comment
RHR
May 26th, 2010
12:16 pm
Francoeur, who’s a bright guy,
He is?
Bud Kilmer
May 26th, 2010
12:19 pm
Howard,
You’re so sure that Jeff would have made the NFL just because he could dominate in the gridiron in high school?
Talent at Brookwood, South Gwinnett and Berkmar isn’t exactly the same as talent in the ACC, and especially not talent like the NFL.
gtg437w
May 26th, 2010
12:19 pm
Jeff gave a lot to the franchise, mainly hope. He came in with McCann and brought a lot of young fans to the games- his jerseys sold everywhere even when he was in a slump… I was there at his first game when he hit the homer and got a standing ovation, talk about an inspirational time to be a braves fan and it’s amazing how quickly Atlanta “fans” forget, we really are the worst city for pro-sports. As for the J-Hey Kid, I wish him the best of luck, I’d love to see his success as a brave but want to wait to see his sophomore season before he’s proclaimed the savior of the braves franchise
thebest?
May 26th, 2010
12:20 pm
MB how many high school football players have you seen? I’m not trying to say that he was a bad football player but like you said since 1984 im pretty sure there have been a few better football players who were better than Jeff.
gobraves
May 26th, 2010
12:21 pm
Dawgdad,
Frenchy was a QB in HS, why would he be trying to play safety or LB? You dumb@$$
Tweets that mention Why Jason Heyward (baseball) isn't Jeff Francoeur (football) | Mark Bradley -- Topsy.com
May 26th, 2010
12:22 pm
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Mark Bradley, ajc sports editor. ajc sports editor said: Mark Bradley has a good column on why Braves RF Jason Heyward is no ex-Braves RF Jeff Francoeur re: baseball approach http://bit.ly/cXwRgC [...]
someone
May 26th, 2010
12:23 pm
MB you think Jeff is better football player than Rennie Curran?
someone
May 26th, 2010
12:24 pm
MB you think Jeff is better than lets say a Rennie Curran?
KJ
May 26th, 2010
12:25 pm
I had the opportunity to meet Jason Heyward when he was a junior in high school. He was a very respectful and humble despite all the attention being lavished on him at the dinner. He used sir and maam when addressing his elders. I think the other point of the article is that these are two fine people who are a credit to our society no matter what happens with their baseball careers.
Smoltzfan
May 26th, 2010
12:25 pm
Is it too late for an NFL audition? A la Brian Jordan, Deion Sanders?
Mark Bradley
May 26th, 2010
12:26 pm
Didn’t see Rennie Curran play in high school. But let me note that Francoeur not only played but worked essentially every down — as a junior, he had almost the same number of touchdown receptions as interceptions and averaged nearly one a game of each.
Thinker
May 26th, 2010
12:29 pm
You know, Frenchy’s still only 26. He can turn it around. Phil Niekro wasn’t even in the show at that age, and he’s in the HOF.
Bud Kilmer
May 26th, 2010
12:32 pm
Rod Perrymond, the Bailey brothers, Dwight Dasher, Brett Millican, Darius Walker.
the best ever might be a stretch.
Don’t let yourself get caught up in the local legend hype of French. You’re better than that.
He was a great high school player, in both sports, but I would be hard pressed to call him the greatest in either sport.
Just like Travelling Dawg stated, he was always more talented than other people, and talent got him that local lengend status. But when the big league stuff gets nasty and you see a filty slider night after night, that talent gets put to bed real quick. Which is why he’s hitting a hefty .219 rigth now. The talent of everyone else finally caught up to him.
It’s not like Lassiter High School where he gets a fastball down main street or a hanging high school breaking ball. (the stuff legends are made out of)
DP
May 26th, 2010
12:32 pm
gtg437w, Atlanta fans are the worst because they weighted 2-3 years of complete futility by Francouer more heavily than the thrill he provided with the home run in his first game? Should that home run have earned him a lifetime pass? How long do you think it would have taken the fans in Boston or New York to start booing him? I suspect we’ll find out soon about New York fans if they’re not booing him already.
Had Francouer not been a local white kid that the Braves wanted to market as the face of the franchise I suspect he’d have lost his everyday right field job a lot sooner. Yunel Escobar had a very good year last year. Do you think he will still be the Braves shortstop 2 years from now if his hitting stats are near the bottom for major league shortstops?
Bud Kilmer
May 26th, 2010
12:33 pm
hey Thinker….Niekro was a pitcher, and a knuckler-baller at that…he had a shelf life of 20 years.
French won’t be roaming any outfield at age 46 unless he’s playing in the North Metro Baptist softball league.
Mark Bradley
May 26th, 2010
12:34 pm
I saw Brett Millican, FYI. Against Forest Park in a playoff game.
And I did not say he was the greatest football player ever. I said he was the best I’ve seen in Georgia.
Tomahawk
May 26th, 2010
12:34 pm
“Baseball is a game of skill and precision, not strength and mass.” …….true statement…so does that mean we should give more credit to Barry Bonds?
Bud Kilmer
May 26th, 2010
12:34 pm
GoBraves…..you’re certain he was a QB in high school?
)
Cathy
May 26th, 2010
12:35 pm
I’ve often wondered if Francoeur would have fared better, playing for Clemson, for just the reason you mentioned. He’s always on the attack, which is fine for football. Not so much a plus when you need to generate runs. BTW, Francoeur’s a great guy, but he’s PAID to be a great baseball player. Hayward’s earned his position. He certainly deserves that All-Star bonus!
??????
May 26th, 2010
12:36 pm
“Why Jason Heyward (baseball) isn’t Jeff Francoeur (football)”
Heyward is black. Francoeur is white.
Mark Bradley
May 26th, 2010
12:36 pm
Pretty sure Francoeur was not a quarterback in high school. I believe Clint Sammons was the quarterback. I believe Clint Sammons also plays baseball.
Bud Kilmer
May 26th, 2010
12:37 pm
If 14 TD catches along with 15 INTs makes you the best you’ve ever seen in Georgia, then I would say you need to get out more.
Makes you great, but the best you’ve seen in Georgia?
Mark Bradley
May 26th, 2010
12:37 pm
Barry Bonds is kind of a case study: He was a great hitter when he was skinny.
Bud Kilmer
May 26th, 2010
12:39 pm
Was Clint Sammons the 2nd best quarterback you’ve ever seen?
I know he wasn’t a QB Mark, just wanted to make GoBraves look like an idiot, but I’m pretty sure he did that well enough on his own.
Smoltzfan
May 26th, 2010
12:40 pm
Hey Bud K, when’d the circus come to town? I didn’t see any trucks…..
PMC
May 26th, 2010
12:41 pm
What makes Francouer the best high school football player you have seen Mark?
There are hundreds of great football players in this state. I’m hard pressed to find a best.
Champ Bailey? Takeo Spikes… Charlie Ward… Eric Zeier…. that’s just a few why is Francouer better than them?
gwtvol85
May 26th, 2010
12:42 pm
Well written article, Mark. I use to watch Friday night football games on CSS — still do — occassionally and I remember watching Francouer play for Parkview. He was a natural at DB with his combination of speed and rangy athletic ability. His senior year opponents RARELY through in his direction. He received scholly offers from many schools and, as I recall, committed to play football for Clemson. However, the lure of MLB money called and he never suited up for the Tigers. I remember thinking as I watched several Parkview football games which were broadcast his senior year that he might be the best high school player I had ever seen. Yes, including everyone’s beloved Bulldog from Johnson Co. Francouer never seemed to be out of position and played with a fluid, under control style. So the insight that he is more of a football player with a bat and glove rather than the SI proclaimed “Natural”, is on point IMHO. He has loads of athletic ability. No one doubts that. But athletic ability is not always enough. Otherwise Tony Romo would win the U.S. Open.
Matt
May 26th, 2010
12:43 pm
did you expect him to turn down the biggest signing bonus since Andruw Jones?????? He’s a quality individual. Maybe he does go back to play football maybe he doesn’t. If his wife still lives in Gwinnet then maybe he’ll stay home and play for UGA!!!
Bud Kilmer
May 26th, 2010
12:43 pm
Hey SmoltzFan…take y our Dummy-O’s and follow your Dummy-O quarterback.
Oh yall got trick plays?
Your Dummy-O’s cant even run a simple draw play and yall’ve got trick plays. You’re the damn dumbest smart kid I’ve ever met.
Bud Kilmer
May 26th, 2010
12:45 pm
hey SmotlzFan….you know who the best high school football player I ever saw was?
Lance Harbor
Stat Man
May 26th, 2010
12:46 pm
SMOLTZ, WHAT ABOUT SMOLTZ?????
I don’t think I’ve seen anything about that pompus a$$ in the AJC for at least a week now…….
Mark
May 26th, 2010
12:47 pm
Ummmmmmmm GoBravesfan. Framcouer was not a QB. Maybe on certain plays but he was a S/WR.
Smoltzfan
May 26th, 2010
12:48 pm
Not anymore, he’s dragging his leg around like a gimp!
Bud Kilmer
May 26th, 2010
12:53 pm
Yeah I know. That was all Billy Bob’s fault. He’s real sorry.
But you know what, Jon Moxon did come in and do a heck of a job for the injured Lance Harbor.
Supes
May 26th, 2010
12:53 pm
Mark…
why do you need to resurrect the ghost of JEFF FRANCINE I’ll never know…just ENOUGH.
Move on EVERYONE, at the AJC and Braves fans. We are well rid of HIM.
He had a horrific season, then complained about getting sent down…and then by his own admission QUIT on the team, he said he wanted to be anywhere else but in RF for the Braves? What more do we need to know about this man? Nothing. He is a NY MET now…I don’t wish him bad things but I’m sure as hell glad he’s not on the Braves anymore. What was he with bases loaded that season when he got sent down…something like 2 for 30? Unreal.
Besides his poor attitude of entitlement when he got sent down was the last straw with me as a Braves fan.
Jason Heyward so far appears to have a much superior approach to the art of hitting and playing baseball in general.
Terrence Moore
May 26th, 2010
12:56 pm
why did my post get deleted???? i just got excited about them colord’s on the braves finally.
JTH
May 26th, 2010
1:00 pm
Heywards one-third of a season > Francouer’s 3+ years in terms of contributing to building a winning team and improving as a player..
Heywards career >>>>>>>>>>>> Francouers. That’s a prediction you dont have to be Nostradamus to make.
Woooooooooo!
May 26th, 2010
1:01 pm
Francoeur’s issues aren’t because of a football mentality. Pete Rose played with “sheer effort” more than anyone else, and he was certainly a baseball player. Valdimir Guerrero and Victor Martinez built careers on being very aggressive swingers. Heck, our own Brian Jordan’s success was often attributed to his football experience.
No, Francoeur’s problems aren’t because of a football mentality, it’s because he refused to accept coaching.
JASon
May 26th, 2010
1:02 pm
“Francoeur, who’s a bright guy”
I question this. Lets also not get carried away at the intelligence it takes to play this game: I give you Alex Rodriguez.
ScoreKeeper
May 26th, 2010
1:02 pm
Interesting argument, but I think it’s over-thinking, the football thing, I mean. … Maybe Francoeur was just a big strong kid with a quick bat who succeeded because of his aggressive style, but once pitchers figured him out, he had no answer physically or mentally. Judging the strike zone in a split second requires talent, too. If he’d become more patient, maybe he would’ve walked more and hit less. Not sure Francoeur had the talent to be patient and hit at the same time.
The other thing worth noting is that Francoeur was never as good as Heyward in the first place. Heyward is one of the 5-10 most productive hitters in the NL right now. IMO, Francoeur never had a ”excellent” season. If you’re getting on base only 33 percent of the time (French’s career high) and you’re an outfielder, you’d better hit 45 home runs or you’re not much better than average. Outfielders who play in all 162 games and can’t score more than 84 runs are average.
JTH
May 26th, 2010
1:09 pm
Am I banned from posting or something?
ScoreKeeper
May 26th, 2010
1:10 pm
fyi, Sammons was the QB on the 2000 Parkview team that started the 46-game winning streak. Sammons hit Francoeur with a 70-yard TD pass in the state championship game that year.
jeffrey d
May 26th, 2010
1:12 pm
Francoeur was and is a fine fellow.
But he was upset about being demoted, Mark. According to some people, that makes him the biggest jerk in the world.
DP
May 26th, 2010
1:14 pm
Among 184 major league position players with a qualifying number of at bats, Heyward is #7 in OPS at .992, Francouer is #155 at .653. In OBP, Heyward is #8 at .415 and Francouer is #169 at .278.
Brian from SC
May 26th, 2010
1:17 pm
While I think the football thing is a valid point, the main difference between the two is that Heyward is just flat out more talented, and always has been. Even when Francoeur was a hot prospect, I don’t think any objective scout would have put his offensive ceiling above someone like Reggie Sanders. Heyward, on the other hand…well we’re not quite sure he has a ceiling.
I continue to see the comparisons to Frenchy and Heyward, when really they are so different. I think we were all guilty when Jeff came up of conveniently ignoring the serious holes in his game, and the red flags that his minor league numbers threw up. He had star potential (and he was a star for a while), but never, ever did he have superstar potential. Heyward has HOF kind of potential, and I don’t think you could find any baseball person to disagree with that.
jeffrey d
May 26th, 2010
1:18 pm
If 14 TD catches along with 15 INTs makes you the best you’ve ever seen in Georgia, then I would say you need to get out more.
Bud Kilmer – Francoeur got 15 INTs as a receiver/defender? That’s pretty impressive.
jeffrey d
May 26th, 2010
1:19 pm
Terrence Moore – You spelled your name wrong
All I'm Saying Is...
May 26th, 2010
1:20 pm
Mark:
Good column. I agree with you.
In fact, I was typing similar things last year when Frenchy was with us. I stated that the worst thing that could happen did happen which is that Frenchy swung at the very first pitch he faced in 2009 and hit a home run as a result. I typed then that this home run would only confirm to Frenchy’s hard-headed self that his approach was fine.
Furthermore, I knew he would never make adjustments at the plate because he was not a student of the game and that he would never listen to any hitting instructor because he never thought he needed to or that they knew anything that he didn’t know, and last because he had the aggressive football player mentality and answer for everything: when in doubt, expend more effort (not necessarily use your mind and work smarter).
Long may Jason be a Brave!
LET’S GO BRAVES!
Bud Kilmer
May 26th, 2010
1:21 pm
Jeffrey D,
Being upset about being demoted doesn’t make you a jerk. How you handle it determines if you’re a jerk or not.
French refused to go to then Richmond (AAA) because he knew that AAA pitching is just about equal to major league pitching. And if he can’t hit major league pitching (which is why he got sent down) then he would possibly struggle at AAA as well. However, going to AA, he knew there would be a larger difference in the pitching from the bigs to AA.
And yes, him coming out in the media and being a cry-baby about the whole thing didn’t win him over with the fans.
He wasn’t hitting. He couldn’t see that because since he was 4 he has only been the most talented and the best player on the field, but when you get to the bigs, everyone used to be the best on the field in hgih school.
Bud Kilmer
May 26th, 2010
1:23 pm
Jeffrey D….imnpressive yes….greatest high school football player in georgia since 1984….I don’t know about that one.