"No matter how good you are, you're going to lose one-third of your games. No matter how bad you are you're going to win one-third of your games. It's the other third that makes the difference." ~Tommy Lasorda
No not yet, his few extra BB's don't surprise me he was bound to improve to some extent he was just that horrible at accepting them. He'll surprise me if he spends more than a couple of months in the pros in his life, or completely changes his approach at least to an acceptable level. Even the worst hackers in MLB history have to walk and not K at a certain level and he has yet to do that at any stop in the minors and he still has to go up 2 levels and improve, not very likely when most guys numbers in those areas go the wrong way as they move up.
"You can't let praise or criticism get to you. It's a weakness to get caught up in either one."
--Woody Hayes
Prepare to be surprised.He'll surprise me if he spends more than a couple of months in the pros in his life
No. 10 JUAN FRANCISCO, 3B, REDS
Team: Triple-A Louisville (International)
Age: 22
Why He's Here: .435/.440/1.000 (10-for-23), 2 HR, 1 3B, 3 HR, 8 RBIs, 1 BB, 9SO
The Scoop: He still strikes out in buckets and he doesn't like to watch pitches. But it hasn't seemed to matter for the recently-promoted Francisco. The lefty-hitter has as much power as anyone in the minors, and in August he's been punishing pitchers in the Southern League, where he hit .404/.436/.712 in 13 games, and in the International League, where he's hit three more home runs to go with his .435 average. Francisco has struck out in all six of his Triple-A games, and there's still concerns about how his approach will play in the majors, but he has shown he can succeed at Double-A and Triple-A, when many swing-at-everything hitters flame out by Double-A.
http://www.baseballamerica.com/today...09/268728.html
JJ Cooper spent much of today's chat discussing Francisco. He encouraged readers to scrounge for a comparable player that had success in the majors after walking as little as Francisco.
The conclusion at the end of the chat?
Juan Francisco = Wily Mo Pena
I would trade him NOW while his value is at an all-time high. I think we may look back on this three years from now and wish we had done so. Hopefully WJ can take a page from WK's book and spin Francisco into a quality SP.
Go BLUE!!!
The missing link in Cooper's analysis and the "trade him now" analyis is that JF just turned 22 in June, is already doing well at AAA, and has two more minor league seasons if he needs them.
I don't see any focus in Cooper's analysis - or your conclusion - that takes into account the stage of Francisco's development.
I happen to disagree with the conclusion. I think JF is an unusually gifted talent who has achieved a great deal with an approach that is less than optimal. You guys are all essentially giving up on him at the age of 22, a young 22.
Put aside the hype for a minute. Look at Jay Bruce's approach this year. The upper cutting and all the pop flies. Look at his OBP. I don't see people writing him off. His approach has flaws too, but people give him the time he deserves.
The other point is that Francisco has steadily improved. His K rate went way down as he hit the higher levels. All the talk that he Ks a lot is untrue. For a power hitter, his K rate is not high. Yes, in his first AAA games he fanned quite a bit, but it's a brand new level for him.
I think Francisco will be far more valuable in a year. Either as one of AAA's dominant hitters, or as a raw member of the Reds with enormous potential. My only concern about him is defensive position.
Last edited by Kc61; 08-21-2009 at 05:40 PM.
Pablo Sandoval says Hi. From looking at the numbers Sandoval's walk rate is right in line with Cisco's. Pablo hit for higher average but Cisco has more power. A better comparison than Wily Mo in my opinion.The conclusion at the end of the chat?
Juan Francisco = Wily Mo Pena
If you have a losing record at Reds games, please stop going.
BAKER ALSO was asked about the soon-to-be crowded third base situation. If Scott Rolen is the man for the next couple of years, what’s to be done with top prospect Juan Francisco, promoted to Class AAA Louisville last week and not far from the bigs? Could Francisco be moved to left field?
“I don’t know, man,” said Baker. “I haven’t seen him enough. We worked him there some during spring training (left field) and (coach) Billy Hatcher worked with him. You know if a guy carries a big bat you’re going to find somewhere for him to play. We know he is going to be a good hitter, especially when he learns the strike zone. He’s still young (22).”
http://www.daytondailynews.com/blogs...cxtype=feedbot
I love that dusty baker has the idea that hes the greatest scout in the world. If he hasnt seen a player then no ones opinion matters.
For me the question that was posed by Cooper was "What major leaguer has had success as a player with a walk rate similiar to Cisco's." To me Sandoval has similiar walk rate to Juan but has found success at the MLB level. So it is possible to find a player with a low walk rate who has success in the major leagues. I do agree with your point in that contact is not Juan's strongest suit, where Pablo makes contact with almost everything he swings at.
If you have a losing record at Reds games, please stop going.
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