Jeff Francoeur
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| Atlanta Braves — No. 7 | |
| Rightfielder | |
| Bats: Right | Throws: Right |
| Major League Baseball debut | |
|---|---|
| July 7, 2005 for the Atlanta Braves | |
| Selected MLB statistics (through 2006) |
|
| Avg | .271 |
| RBI | 148 |
| HR | 43 |
| Former teams | |
Jeffrey Braden ("Jeff") Francoeur (born January 8, 1984 in Lilburn, Georgia), nicknamed "Frenchy", is a Major League Baseball player who currently plays for the Atlanta Braves of the National League.
Francoeur was selected by the Braves in the 1st round of the June 2002 free agent draft. Francoeur advanced steadily through the Braves minor league system playing for Danville (Rookie) in 2002, Rome (Low A) in 2003, Myrtle Beach (High A) and Greenville (former AA) in 2004, and Mississippi (current AA) in 2005. Francoeur was promoted to Atlanta on July 6, 2005. He was part of the group of rookie players nicknamed the "Baby Braves" that Atlanta called up from its minor league system during the 2005 season.
Francoeur made his Major League debut when he started in right field against the Chicago Cubs in the second game of a double header on July 7, 2005. In the bottom of the 8th inning he hit a 3-run home run to center field, his first Major League hit, and received a curtain call from the Braves faithful at Turner Field. After the game he was given the customary hazing of new players, having a shaving cream pie spread on his face by teammate Marcus Giles. His rookie campaign was highlighted by his spectacular offense and defense. Francoeur was 3rd among the Major Leagues in outfield assists, despite playing less than half the season. He also compiled 35 extra base hits, including 14 home runs. He finished 3rd in the National League Rookie of the Year voting, having the most second place votes.
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[edit] Career
Francoeur was a 2002 graduate of Parkview High School where he led Parkview to the Georgia State 5-A championship in baseball and was also a star football player at wide receiver and free safety, leading his high school team to two undefeated seasons in 2001 and 2002, which included back to back state championships. In his senior year of high school, Francoeur pulled in an amazing 15 interceptions on defense, while catching 14 touchdown passes on offense. Francoeur turned down a full football scholarship at Clemson University to pursue a career in baseball, even though he had already signed a Letter of Intent. Francoeur also received interest from Mississippi and Notre Dame.
Francoeur hit .443 with 55 HR and 164 RBI during his high school career at Parkview.
In 2004 Francoeur was named the top prospect in the Braves organization by Baseball America. He was a member of the Carolina League regular season and postseason All-Star team. In 2005, he was selected to play in the Major League Baseball Futures game before getting called up by Atlanta.
Francoeur finished the 2005 season batting .300/.336/.549 in 67 games. Francoeur also tallied 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 at bat. On defense, Francoeur is known for having a strong, accurate arm. He has also become a hometown favorite among Braves fans.
His rookie campaign was highlighted by his spectacular offense and defense. Francoeur was 3rd among the Major Leagues in outfield assists, despite playing less than half the season. He also compiled 35 extra base hits, including 14 home runs. He finished 3rd in the National League Rookie of the Year voting, having the most second place votes.
Francoeur, being somewhat gangly, had a workout regimen for the 2005 offseason which resulted in a gain of approximately 10 pounds of muscle. His plan was hamstrung when he acquired an infection near his eye from complications from his facial surgery in 2004. He was on a regimen of antibiotics for weeks to cure it.
Early in the 2006 season Jeff Francoeur signed on with Delta Air Lines to star in the company's new ad campaign, his first endorsement deal. (See Video)
On May 13, 2006, Francoeur hit a walk-off grand slam against the Washington Nationals, the first walkoff home run and first grandslam of his career. On Mother's Day, May 14, 2006, he was one of more than 50 hitters who brandished a pink bat to benefit the Breast Cancer Foundation.
When the 2006 season ended, Francoeur became just the fourth Brave to play in all 162 games of a season, joining Felix Millan, Dale Murphy and Andruw Jones.
Unfortunately, according to Baseball Prospectus and a list published in their book Baseball Between The Numbers: Why Everything You Know About The Game Is Wrong, Francoeur is the third player since 1972 to have 100 or more RBIs with a negative VORP (-1.0) in the same season. His 2006 campaign joins those of Tony Batista's 2004 season and Joe Carter's 1997 season on that dubious list.
[edit] World Baseball Classic
Along with Braves teammate Chipper Jones, Francoeur played on the USA team in the first ever World Baseball Classic. In six at bats, he hit a double and scored a run.
[edit] Trivia
On the strap of his left hand batting glove, Francoeur has the words "Joshua 1:9" written, obviously referencing the Bible verse. That verse reads: "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." Francouer is a vocal and outspoken born-again Christian.[1]
Francoeur was ejected for the first time in his career on July 16, 2006.
Francoeur's mother works at Trickum Middle School as a gifted math teacher, where Jeff went before graduating from Parkview. His brother, DJ, works at Parkview as an assistant baseball coach to the freshman team.
Francoeur became engaged to longtime girlfriend, Catie McCoy, on Sunday, September 10th, 2006. Francoeur has known his fiancé since the third grade.[2][3].
Francoeur no longer lives with teammate Brian McCann in Lawrenceville, Georgia. He moved into his own home in late 2006.
Some of Francoeur's fans are also known as "Francoeur's Franks". Perched in the right field seats at Braves home games, they are often seen holding signs with his likeness and or hot dogs and boisterously supporting their hero.
