Update: Francoeur Seeing 20/20

by Tito42 on Aug 1, 2011 3:05 PM EDT

About a month ago, DanielSmith presented the notion that Francoeur appeared to be on pace to hit 20 HR and steal 20 bases this season.

The Frenchman really heated up at the end of the month, putting up 5 SB, but still only 3 HR for July. We are actually at the exact 2/3 mark through the season, so his current 14 HR & 18 SB projects out to 21 HR & 27 SB (and 93 RBI, and 45 walks, which would be a career high) using straight arithmetic.

Frenchy's career splits actually show a spike in HR in July before tailing back off for the remainder of the season. ZiPS projects it coming down to the wire with 20 HR and 22 SB (89 RBI, 42 BB). It's very possible that the expected career split will come back and sap Jeff's power in the dog days of summer.

via cache.daylife.com

Why does any of this matter? More than a dozen players join the fabled 20/20 club some years, you say? Matt Kemp is there already, and Curtis Granderson and Ryan Braun are one steal away with 1/3 of the games left on the slate?

Because it's exactly the sort of thing that the Royals management and media troupe will throw out there whenever asked about what Jeff brings to the ballclub. How much you wanna bet we'll hear Yost at some point describe Francoeur as a "real leader of this ball club who gave us 20 and 20 last year"?

I personally think he'll fall short and finish with something like 18 HR & 24 SB. However, if 20/20 is obtained, a contract extension is clearly in sight for Francoeur.

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And 20 outfield assists!

You may know me as NYRoyal.

by Scott McKinney on Aug 1, 2011 3:18 PM EDT reply actions

And an immeasurable number of smiles and puppy-holds.

Sign the man to a lifetime contract!!

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by Lum on Aug 1, 2011 3:21 PM EDT up reply actions

He's making the players around him better

He had a special nut-punching session with Melky and Gordon in spring training, and look at what kind of season they’ve had!

You may know me as NYRoyal.

by Scott McKinney on Aug 1, 2011 3:30 PM EDT up reply actions

If we asked real nice

Do you think he’s be willing to ball tap Hochevar for us?

by Pointed Stick on Aug 1, 2011 3:44 PM EDT up reply actions

I personally observed him nail MITCH

and his pitching in now lights out.

I'm waiting for my wave of talent to arrive.

by mitchfreakingmaier! on Aug 1, 2011 5:00 PM EDT up reply actions

Frenchy needs to punch himself in the nuts a few times, then.

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by Lum on Aug 1, 2011 3:48 PM EDT up reply actions

that is what nude BP is for

"Things could always be worse." - Buddy Bell

by buddyball on Aug 1, 2011 5:37 PM EDT up reply actions

Take after Mr. Judge

and take a Fastball to the nads during naked BP

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though I do love Royals Review
Follow me on Twitter if you want: Lum_SM

by Lum on Aug 1, 2011 6:13 PM EDT up reply actions

Not that Lee Judge was naked, which, ew

SBN's most random and mysterious lurker
though I do love Royals Review
Follow me on Twitter if you want: Lum_SM

by Lum on Aug 1, 2011 6:13 PM EDT up reply actions

and 20 nad knocks

"Things could always be worse." - Buddy Bell

by buddyball on Aug 1, 2011 5:38 PM EDT up reply actions

Frenchy leads MLB in outfield assists since 2005

And that’s with a couple of years not playing full time.

"LaPorta and Hafner gave Boom Boom a beating
Just three weeks later he was back on the mound
He gave up six runs in five innings at Kaufmann
And the blogs all demanded he should be sent back down" --Not Warren Zevon

by Juancho on Aug 3, 2011 9:54 AM EDT up reply actions

I just hope Frenchy, Melkman, Billy, and Hos all hit 20 HR

That way we can start printing up “Royals Way Rakers” posters. Those will surely be a cherished heirloom.

by Tito42 on Aug 1, 2011 4:14 PM EDT reply actions

Don't Forget Gordon

I used to be an A's fan until they left town and got good.

by philofthenorth on Aug 1, 2011 4:26 PM EDT up reply actions

Duh

Power up and down the lineup

by Tito42 on Aug 1, 2011 4:42 PM EDT up reply actions

He can't hit 20 HR!

He’s a leadoff man!

Jokes aside, anyone else get a bit worried every time Gordon gets an XBH that Yost might decide it’s time to move Gordon out of the leadoff spot again?

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by Matt Klaassen on Aug 1, 2011 4:45 PM EDT up reply actions

And every time he draws a walk, I worry that Moore will conclude that he’s really not the kind of aggressive hitter we need at a corner OF spot, so he should trade him for Wandy.

You may know me as NYRoyal.

by Scott McKinney on Aug 1, 2011 4:52 PM EDT up reply actions