Frank Francisco - Fantasy News & Updates
Frank Francisco - Fantasy News & Updates
Position:
Status:
Previous 15 - Next 15
Follow MLB.com Fantasy on Twitter
Fantasy News
Fantasy Analysis
Francisco had some very bad injury luck in 2009, but generally delivered on his promise when he was healthy enough to do so. Francisco has converted a very respectable 25 of 29 save opportunities, struck out 57 in 49 1/3 innings, and posted a solid 1.11 WHIP. Over the course of a full, healthy season, Francisco could easily become a top-10 closer in 2010.
Francisco has had terrible injury luck this season, and was hit extremely hard in August -- he put up a 6.97 ERA in 10 1/3 innings -- but he seems to be pretty well locked-in in September. Francisco has allowed just five hits in 8 2/3 innings this month, and converted all five of his save opportunities.
Francisco was back on the board with his first save since Sept. 2. He had notched three straight scoreless appearances from Sept. 15-18, making the closer a worthy recipient of the Rangers' save opportunity on Saturday.
Francisco has been a busy closer the past two days, notching two saves in a doubleheader on Tuesday and cranking out another save Wednesday. His arm looks lively again, so there shouldn't be any worries about whether the righty has the stamina to finish the year as the primary ninth-inning man.
Francisco has bounced back nicely since his six-run shelling Aug. 14, converting all four save opportunities and yielding two earned runs over seven frames to lower his ERA to 3.55.
Francisco earned his first save since Aug. 17, a time frame that covers four outings. He looked outstanding by fanning the side, so owners shouldn't hold any reservations about whether Francisco can finish the year strong.
Francisco and C.J. Wilson have alternated closing and setup duties for the past few months, but that was mostly due to the former's various injuries and multiple trips to the disabled list. Barring a six run meltdown at the hands of the Red Sox on Aug. 14, the (seemingly) healthy Francisco has locked down his last three save chances with a 5/0 K/BB ratio during those contests and should finish the year as Texas's ninth-inning man of choice.
Francisco's latest outing was a far cry better than his last one, when the injury-plagued righty was tagged by the Red Sox for six earned runs in 2/3 of an inning on Aug. 14. With Francisco being given the vote of confidence by Rangers skipper Ron Washington, his ninth-inning role seems secure for now.
C.J. Wilson, who filled in for Francisco during his three stints on the DL this year, will go back into a setup role. Washington praised the work Wilson did in Francisco's absence. "Frankie is a one-inning guy and C.J. is a multiple innings guy," Washington said. "He just gives us more versatility. He's done an outstanding job. He really has." Francisco has 15 saves this year and Wilson has 14. Owners with Wilson would be wise to hold onto him, as he figures to get a few more save opportunities on occasions when Francisco has been overworked.
Frank Francisco pitched in the eighth and Wilson got the save opportunity for the second straight night, but the result wasn’t nearly as favorable this time around. Though Wilson called all four Oakland hits off him “lucky,” it wouldn’t be surprising to see Francisco work his way back into the stopper role soon.
Don't assume Francisco will immediately reclaim the closer job; manager Ron Washington gradually eased him back into the role after his last activation from the DL, and C.J. Wilson has done a fine job in the interim. Perhaps keeping Wilson in the role for now will force Francisco to buckle down and rediscover the form that made him nearly unhittable in the early stages of the season. Warner Madrigal, who posted a 9.31 ERA and a 2.38 WHIP over 9 2/3 innings, was sent down to Triple-A Oklahoma City to make room for Francisco.
Francisco will eventually regain his role as closer, most likely, but the Rangers do not plan to install him in that role immediately upon his return. Manager Ron Washington plans to ease him back. "I don't think you'll see him jump back into the closer's role," Washington said. "How can he jump back in, he's been out...21 days." C.J. Wilson will continue to close until Francisco gets his old job back.
Wilson has done a great job since inherting ninth-inning duties from the injured Frank Francisco, but with the Rangers' regular closer nearing a return, Wilson's days as fireman appear to be numbered. Still, it's not as if Francisco has been a paragon of good health this season, so you might want to keep Wilson around for a little while anyway, just in case.
Francisco will be re-evaluated after his outing to see if he is fully recovered from the bout of walking pneumonia that put him on the disabled list. He is scheduled to pitch one inning. If Francisco checks out with a clean bill of health, he could return immediately, sending C.J. Wilson back into his normal setup role.
Francisco, who hasn't pitched since July 10 because of a bout with walking pneumonia, came away from the throwing session feeling good, and said he's ready to pitch when the Rangers feel he's ready to do so. The big closer has saved 15 games with a 2.28 ERA this season.
Previous 15 - Next 15
