Nippon Professional Baseball’s Yomiuri Giants have announced the signing of third baseman Juan Francisco to a one-year contract, The Japan Times reports. Francisco will receive 140 million yen (or roughly $1.17MM) in the deal.
Francisco hit .220/.291/.456 with 16 homers in 320 plate appearances with the Blue Jays last season, though most of that production came early in the season — Francisco posted a .961 OPS over his first 126 PA and just a .613 OPS in his other 194. He also struck out 116 times in 2014, and his 36.3% strikeout rate was the second-highest of any hitter in baseball with at least 300 PA.
This combination of power and strikeouts has defined Francisco’s career, as he has a .236/.297/.439 slash line, 48 homers and 375 strikeouts over his 1091 career PA with the Jays, Brewers, Braves and Reds. He was claimed off waivers by the Red Sox this offseason, non-tendered and then signed to a minor league deal by the Rays before opting out after he didn’t make their Major League roster.
I remember francisco absolutely raking until pitchers started throwing him breaking balls.
Sounds like Pedro Cerrano
That seems pretty unfair for a guy that’s never exceeded a 20% strikeout rate like Fransisco’s done pretty much his entire career. Fransisco nearly has a 35% career strikeout rate.
Who topped him in K-rate last year?
My guesses would be Ryan Howard or maybe Ike Davis? Only guesses though.
Nvm, definitely not Ike Davis.
zwerky was right. Singleton had 300 PA and his K-rate is higher.
Javier Baez.
He didn’t have 300 PA. He was my first guess too. Would have been higher than Singleton had he qualified.
Jon Singleton
Wily Mo 2.0
Dude is gonna mash over there
I thought the same after I read this. Dude will rake in Japan — perfect move for him.
LH Willy Mo Pena career in the making
As someone who saw Juan play last year in person, I can say that the dude has scary power. When he connects, every swing has a chance to be a no-doubt home run. Unfortunately, I can also say without a doubt that he has next to zero ability to not swing at things in the dirt. If he could ever get it together, he could be a really good player.
Slider, curve, curve, next batter.
I’m not sure you’d need to waste a 2nd curve. But the point still stands – If he connects, it might not land.
It’s almost sad when a major league hitter could be considered a waste of a curve. Anything off-speed will do the trick. You’re right though, moonshots-o-plenty on what he connects with. He’s the kinda guy people watch batting practice for.