After moving around baseball for several years, Jeff Francoeur has managed to end up where he began.
Jeff Francoeur’s MLB career has gone through an interesting path. He was chosen by the Atlanta Braves in the first round of the 2002 draft. Francoeur quickly rose in the ranks of the Braves farm system, as he was named their top prospect in 2004 by Baseball America. He graced the cover of Sports Illustrated as “The Natural.” The right fielder debuted in 2005 against the Chicago Cubs, and his first hit was a memorable one.
“Frenchy” was third in NL Rookie of the Year voting, and continued to shine with the Braves. His fielding skills and his power had him dubbed as the next big thing. Injuries and a few slumps in 2008 slowed him down, and he never truly recovered. He was traded to the Mets in 2009 and had a productive few seasons with the team, becoming a fan favorite for his hustle. He then moved around a lot, playing for the Rangers, Royals, Giants, Indians, Padres and the Phillies. He was a man with loads of talent, but always looking for a permanent home.
It appears that his long journey has come full circle, as the Braves have brought him back on a minor league deal.
#Braves agree to terms on minor league contract with OF Jeff Francoeur with an invitation to attend Spring Training.
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) February 22, 2016
A Georgia boy at heart, Francoeur has an opportunity to return home and show he still belongs in the big leagues. That may be a little difficult as Atlanta has plenty of talent in the outfield, including Nick Markakis, Michael Bourn and Hector Olivera, among others.