Jeff Francoeur to Get Outfield Tryout

Francoeur awaiting spring audition

Jeff Francoeur still doesn't have his official invitation from the Braves for spring training. After John Schuerholz's recent comments, however, that's only a formality. "I guess what he said was my unofficial invite," the 20-year-old outfield prospect said Thursday after returning from a six-day family vacation in the Bahamas.

Just before he left, the 2002 first-round draft choice from Parkview High School read words from the Braves general manager that any minor leaguer craves. "Francoeur is real close to the major leagues," Schuerholz said. "We're going to give Jeff a chance to come to spring training and show us what he's got. He might excite a lot of people." "That was really nice to hear," said Francoeur, who has only played a few games above Class A. "All anybody can ask for is a chance to show what he can do. It looks like there might be an opportunity there and I'll do all I can to try to take advantage of it."

With spring training two months away, the Braves have holes in left and right field following the free agency departure of J.D. Drew, and the trades of Charles Thomas and Eli Marrero. At least one of the positions will be filled with the addition of a veteran through trade or free agency. The Braves, however, may turn to their farm system to fill the other. That's where Francoeur comes in. A five-tool player with unlimited potential, he was named the No. 3 prospect in the Arizona Fall League by Baseball America magazine. "I'll go to spring training with the idea of showing that I'm ready for the big leagues," said Francoeur, who will resume hitting in January and work out twice a week in Athens with the University of Georgia's baseball strength and conditioning coach. "To do anything else would be selling yourself short."

Francoeur and third baseman Andy Marte are the Braves' top hitting prospects. Marte, who had 23 homers in Class AA last season, has never played the outfield, but may get a look there in spring training. "We don't know if he can play it or not," Braves director of player personnel Dayton Moore said. "We'll work him out there in January and see how he looks."

The Braves' other young possibilities are Ryan Langerhans, who had a solid season in Class AAA, Billy McCarthy and Kelly Johnson. Dewayne Wise was claimed on waivers by Detroit and Adam Stern was taken by Boston in the Rule 5 draft. "It will be interesting to see what other moves the Braves make," Francoeur said. "They are real good about not letting anything leak out."

I hope he makes it. Given the budget limitations Schuerholz is operating under, it's critical that several young players up from the farm can make a contribution. That way, more of the budget can be allocated to re-signing proven stars and bringing in a key free agent or two. My strong preference would be to be able to spend the money on keeping guys like Javy Lopez and J.D. Drew rather than having to depend on having cheap free agents over-perform year after year.