Frenchy follows Giambi's example... gets different results.

by JBinATL on Aug 13, 2008 5:54 PM EDT

After shaving off the beard, the "rally stache" just doesn't work the same way.

Frenchy sat out today's game against the Cubs after a 0-4 showing in the Desert that included 6 LOB's and a GIDP against the Snakes. I'm not trying to rip on Frenchy but maybe he needs more than a few spot sit out's to get the bat going again.

I was hopeful when he was sent to Mississippi he would have time to clear his head, retool, and get his act together. But Wren's bizarre decision making made that a futile effort. A good week on the bench and some time to unplug may do him some good.

But what do I know? I'm no hitting coach.

All I can say is, I wish Francoeur the best and hope for the return of the (almost) .300, 100+ RBI season real soon.

And I hope that mustache works out for him... the beard didn't.

~JB

This FanPost does not express the views or opinions of Talking Chop.

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For a second I thought you meant Frenchy was juicing.

Even .290 BA 100 RBI Frenchy wasn’t that good. He needs to stop swinging at pitches a foot above and below the strike zone if he wants to be anything better than average at best.

by VictorW on Aug 13, 2008 6:41 PM EDT reply actions

Oh, plate discipline

We hardly knew ye.

by mburris1 on Aug 13, 2008 7:31 PM EDT up reply actions

Bad Pitches

A few weeks ago my 4.5 yr old daughter and I are watching the Braves on television. Frenchy comes up (I think there was a runner on 2B) and he swings at a high pitch…strike 1. The catcher gets a little high in his crouch and recieves another high pitch..which frenchy promptly swings at and misses….strike 2! The catcher is now basically standing up behind the plate to recieve a 3rd high pitch…this time high enough to be slight below shoulder level…Frenchy ties himself into a big knot going after the third pitch…strike 3!

At this point I am speechless and about ready to twitch. But before I can say anything my 4.5 yr old daughter turns to me and asks “Daddy…why does he keep swinging at the ball? It is too high and he keeps missing.”

Now I am probably simplifying the pitch sequence somewhat for the sake of the story..as I think there was a slider mixed in there somewhere….but the fact that the catcher basically stood up…and the fact that my 4 yr old daughter saw the problem demonstrates the severity of the issue. This season is a wash. Franceuor is not helping the team nor himself right now. He needs to finish the season at AAA and get hot and really work on his swing. When the rosters expand let him come back up and finish the season on a strong note. I still believe he is a legit major leaguer but with every swing and miss at the shoulder high fastballs I see my faith slipping. Before he works himself into a rut beyond recovery…get him down the minors.

If the Braves are goign to have any hope of being successful in the next couple years he HAS to be a reasonably productive RF. I am not looking for .300/350 with 40 HRs and a 120 RBIs…as I think some of us were seeing three years ago. I would be happy with .270/.320 25 100 hitting out of the 6 hole.

So this being said..I plead with the powers that be..Bobby…Wren- my daughter can see it. Let Jeff get some help …and he can’t get it in Atlanta right now.

by calbers on Aug 15, 2008 9:47 PM EDT reply actions

AAA...

…season is over at the end of the month. Might as well tough it out for the rest of the season, he’d just get called up Sept 1st when the rosters expand anyways.

Revisit the Braves World Championship Year, all Season!

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by RainDelay on Aug 16, 2008 2:21 PM EDT up reply actions