The Padres have designated outfielder Jeff Francoeur for assignment to clear room for top prospect Rymer Liriano’s promotion, tweets Marty Caswell of 1090 radio in San Diego.
The 30-year-old Francoeur recently joined the Friars’ big league club after spending much of the season with Triple-A El Paso, but he collected just a pair of hits and three walks in 28 trips to the plate. Frenchy hasn’t produced in the Majors since a surprising 20-20 campaign for the Royals back in 2011 — an effort that was impressive enough to net him a two-year. $13.5MM deal to remain in Kansas City.
That contract proved to be a misstep for Kansas City GM Dayton Moore, however, as Francoeur has batted just .226/.269/.346 since that time and was designated for assignment midway through the contract’s second season. The former top prospect and Rookie of the Year candidate did enjoy a nice season with El Paso this year, as he batted a healthy .294/.325/.465 with 15 homers in 416 plate appearances.
Liriano, 23, is batting a robust .291/.362/.473 with 14 homers and 20 steals between Double-A and Triple-A this season. He ranked sixth on MLB.com’s midseason list of the Top 20 Padres prospects. MLB.com’s Jim Callis and Jonathan Mayo noted that Liriano has plenty of raw power and above-average speed, but he’ll need to refine his approach at the plate because of his propensity to swing and miss. His bat profiles well at any outfield position, according to the MLB.com duo.
Wherever he goes, I hope they continue to prank him in the clubhouse. Those pranks were awesome, and Francoeur seems like a fun dude.
Poor Frenchy. I sure wish there was a way to figure out what’s wrong with him. He had so much potential and had a nice 2006 season…Wonder what happened after that. He just never could put it together, and as many teams as he’s been on, I no longer see it as a hitting coach problem. Has to be a mental error somewhere.
His error is that he has a terrible eye at the plate and a free-swinging style and that he never corrected either of them.
My name is Jorge Reyes and I am not deaf.
No your name is Jack Miller
Hopefully he will get picked up by another team, that is not my Padres.
The Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks or the Orix Buffaloes might welcome his services…
Brian Sabean on line two, Mr. Francouer.
I’ve always been a big fan of Frenchy, nicest guy ever but he hasn’t been able to hit consistently in years. Shame. He gave me an autographed bat when he was a Royal
El Paso has loved Frenchy’s presence. He brings such an intangible joy to the game.
How on Earth did Dayton Moore make a trade for Josh Willingham with Francouer available!? I’m wondering if someone burnt someone else’s Christmas turkey last year.