Fun Frank Francisco Facts

Image courtesy of Daylife via AP

At times this season, Frank Francisco has been a really fun pitcher to watch. During the past few days for example, he has looked like the closer we had all hoped he would turn out to be.

And then there were other instances where Francisco has looked downright awful. With appearances on both ends of the spectrum, it’s been the Jekyll and Hyde season for Frank Francisco.

Even though it hasn’t been an open and shut year for Frankie, my gut tells me Alex Anthopoulos is going to try to bring him back in some capacity next year. The prospect of gaining a Type B draft pick is promising, but the Blue Jays could use the stability of a veteran reliever in that bullpen next year much more than the pick.

So in honour of Frank Francisco’s roller coaster season, I’ve comprised a list of Fun Frank Francisco Facts (FFFF’s for short) that may sway you to keep Frankie around, or let him walk as a free agent.

• Take away Francisco’s three worst outings (3 ER in 0.1 IP on May 20th, 3 ER in 0 IP on July 7th, and 2 ER in 0.1 IP on July 1st) and his ERA would only be 2.74.
• Just to show you how slim the margin of error is for closers in the AL East, take away Kevin Gregg’s three worst outings, and his ERA would only be 3.04.
• Francisco’s durability in back-to-back outings has some into question, as 6 of the 20 earned runs surrendered by Frank Francisco were when he came into the ballgame on zero days rest.
• Up until this season, Frankie had allowed 7 home runs off lefties in 183 games with the Rangers. This season alone, Francisco has given up 5 home runs to lefties in 22 games with the Blue Jays.
• Much like the Blue Jays themselves, the day/night splits for Francisco are astonishing. His ERA is 1.75 in 15 games during the day compared to 5.10 in 34 games at night.
• Of his 49 appearances, Frank Francisco has only posted a clean inning (no hits, runs or walks) 14 times. He has allowed at least one hit in 30 of his 49 appearances.
• Talk about all or nothing; the same team that has the most home runs this season off Francisco (3) has also struck out the most against him (14 SO’s): the Boston Red Sox.
• The batting order position that gives Frank Francisco the most trouble is the number three hitters who are hitting .409 off him. The next most troublesome batting order position? The number seven hitters who are hitting .381.