A Quick Look At Juan Francisco

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Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

Like many others, I was upset and peeved that the Milwaukee Brewers chose first basemen Lyle Overbay and Mark Reynolds over Juan Francisco. Francisco outplayed them in spring training and was younger with bigger upside, but despite this, the Brewers released him.

Francisco was quickly scooped up by the Toronto Blue Jays and signed to a minor-league contract, a decision based largely on the fact that Jays’ third baseman Edwin Encarnacion called him after the Brewers released him and told him he wanted Francisco in Toronto.

In 12 games in Triple-A, Francisco hit .344 with two home runs and 11 RBIs. The Blue Jays promoted him to the Majors on April 18, and has been everything and more.

Through 17 games, Francisco owns a .311 batting average and has blasted five home runs. He’s slugging percentage is .623 with an OPS of 1.026. He’s also getting on base at a career rate — .403. And maybe more importantly, he has yet to commit an error.

Meanwhile in Milwaukee, Brewers’ first basemen have a combined .230 average with eight home runs. Their on-base percentage is a measly .308 and are only slugging .421. Additionally, they’ve committed four errors.

Did the Brewers mess up?