Jeff Francoeur

2013

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2012

Francoeur showed in 2011 that he still had plenty left in the tank as he hit .285/.329/.476 with 20 home runs and a career-high 22 stolen bases. Some of his success can be attributed to a .323 BABIP, which helped him post his highest batting average in four seasons, but he also had a spike in power, which makes sense for someone in their prime years (he'll be 28 years old this season). The stolen bases have more to do with manager Ned Yost than they do Francoeur as the entire Royals team was given the green light in 2011. Don't be fooled into thinking this is the beginning of a renaissance for Francoeur (his 80 percent contact rate is right in line with career norms) as he's more likely to revert back to his mean numbers and rates, than to post another career year in 2012.

2011

Francoeur gave Texas a right-handed option off the bench down the stretch after being acquired from the Mets. He remains an effective hitter in that limited role despite a continued decline from his early years in Atlanta, and he signed with the Royals as a free agent in the offseason. He'll be over-exposed in a full-time role if the Royals go down that path, and to make matters worse, he's no longer the plus-defender he was during his early years with the Braves either.

2010

Moving from Atlanta to New York was the elixir Francoeur needed to revive his floundering career. Francoeur doubled his power output after the trade, but still struggled to draw walks. He should open 2010 as the Mets' starting right fielder. Francoeur played the final month of the season with a torn ligament in his left thumb that required surgery on Nov. 2, but he should be 100 percent by spring training. He is eligible to become a free agent after the 2011 season.

2009

Francoeur's career is at a crossroads after a terrible season that saw him briefly sent to the minors as the Braves looked for any way to jump start his bat. Scouts have always raved about Francoeur as a five-tool player with unlimited upside, while stat-heads have bemoaned poor plate discipline and free-swinging ways. In 2009, the flaws in his game seemed to get the best of him as he swung at the first pitch the most of any hitter in the NL (43 percent) while again taking too few walks. However, the biggest problem may have been a very low rate of batting average on balls in play (.277), which was well below his career average (.306). The bigger worry may be a dramatic drop in power with a career-low 11 home runs. Still, the Braves say they have faith in him as the team's starting right fielder. But a slow start could have Atlanta looking at other options.

2008

Francoeur is a five-tool talent who will once again start in right field for the Braves. While Francoeur's home run total fell to 19 from 29 last season, there were some encouraging developments in his approach at the plate. He doubled his walk rate and coincidentally saw his batting average rise to a full-season career-high .293. Francoeur was one of the most notorious free swingers in baseball before last season, so his stats could take a large jump if he's truly turned the corner at being patient at the plate. Francoeur has good power so the home-run total should rebound, but don't expect many steals.

2007

After making a big splash as a rookie in 2005, Francoeur started slowly last season but rallied to finish with more than 100 RBI. "Frenchy" hit just .216/.230/.371 in April and there was talk he might be sent back to Triple-A. He rallied from that point, though, hitting .259/.308/.450 after the All-Star break and hit 29 home runs overall. Despite his strong homer and RBI totals, Francoeur had a meager .293 on base percentage. Scouts rave about Francoeur as a five-tool player with unlimited upside. Stat-heads look at his meager walk totals (just 23 walks in 651 plate appearances) and worry he won't live up to the hype. He'll start in right field for the Braves and provide 30-plus home run power, but his poor eye at the plate makes his batting average a large risk.

2006

Francoeur made a big splash in his rookie season as a hot start after his midseason call up from Double-A landed him on the cover of Sports Illustrated as the next young phenom. He tore up the league in his first two months by batting .348 with 10 homers and 31 RBI. He then came back down to earth the last two months, batting just .235 with four home runs. Scouts rave about Francoeur as a five-tool player with unlimited upside. Stat-heads look at his meager walk totals (just 11 walks in 268 plate appearances) and worry he won't live up to the hype. He'll start in right field for the Braves and will be counted on to produce big numbers at the plate this season.

2005

Francoeur is seen as Atlanta's top outfield prospect, with an all-around skill set that could translate well to fantasy value. He had a successful high Single-A campaign by hitting .293/.346/.508 but struggled in a 19-game call-up to Double-A Greenville. He'll get a look in spring training, but likely needs another year of seasoning in the minors before he gets a shot. He's a solid keeper prospect who'll contend for a starting job as early as 2006.

2004

Francoeur is an exceptional athlete who performed well against older competition at Low-A by hitting .281/.325/.445. Atlanta's 2002 first-round pick could rise quickly with another strong season and be a factor at the major league level in 2006.

2003

Atlanta's first-round draft pick in 2002. Baseball America rated him as the best athlete in the draft.