Friday Pebble Report: The Return of Francis

by Jeff Aberle on May 7, 2010 10:34 AM MDT in Pebble Report

Obviously, the big news of yesterday for the Rockies was the beginning of Jeff Francis (story linked in the Rockpile) and to a lesser extent Brad Hawpe's minor league rehab assignments. I'll cover both, though perhaps we have a source that saw Francis live and who can provide more detail.

Colorado Springs 8, Fresno 7

Chris Iannetta (2004 4th round) went 3-4 with a home run and 3 RBIs to lead the dvision-leading Sky Sox (15-12) to victory. Johnathan Herrera (Venezuela FA 2002), Matt Miller (2004 13th round), and Walter Schaeffer (2007 38th round) also had multi-hit games to pace the offense. Josh Muecke (MiLB 2010) made his first start of the year, giving up three runs on seven hit in 4.2 IP. Juan Rincon blew the save but got the win (1-1, 4.35).

Arkansas 4, Tulsa 2 F(16)

The story was Francis (2003 1st round), as I said above, who went 4.2 IP, giving up two runs on five hits and two walks, striking out three. Jeff had some trouble locating the zone, it would appear, as he threw only 42 of his 74 pitches for strikes. In other words, this wasn't an indication for me that he is ready to face big league hitters.

In terms of the actual game, all the Drillers (11-16, 6.5 GB) were able to manage on offense was a two-RBI double by Ryan Harvey (MiLB FA 2009) in the first inning. After that the Drillers had 15 more innings to score but couldn't do it. The Tulsa bullpen matched their Arkansas counterparts zero for zero until Cory Riordan (2007 6th round) gave up two runs in the 16th (on a Paul McAnulty home run), ultimately taking the loss (1-3, 5.17).

Rancho Cucamonga 10, Modesto 8

Modesto's offense came to life with the presence of Brad Hawpe (2000 11th round) in the lineup, but the pitching didn't rise to the occasion and the Nuts (15-10, 0.5 GB) fell. Hawpe went 1-4 with a RBI, while Jordan Pacheco (2007 9th round) continued to impress (he's batting .404 with a 1.061 OPS on the year) with a home run and a double. Unfortunately, Juan Nicasio (DR FA 2006) simply imploded, giving up seven runs on nine hits in 4.1 IP, striking out six and taking the loss (1-2, 5.01). I had high hopes for Nicasio coming into the year, but he has done nothing so far to justify them.

Asheville 6, Hickory 4

Wes Musick (2009 9th round) had a strong outing, going 6.2 IP and allowing only two runs on six hits, striking out four, to take the win (3-3, 5.81). The Tourists (10-17, 7.5 GB) got multi-hit efforts from Joseph Scott (2009 42nd round), Nathan Hines (2009 50th round), and Eliezer Mesa (DR FA 2006) -- who is hitting .361 -- while Sheng-An Kuo (Taiwan FA 2007) pitched 2.2 innings of two run relief, striking out seven of the eight men he retired to close the win out.

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Francis....

i was at the game last night and it reads worse on paper then it actually was…now in no way am i saying that he’s ready to face the Dodgers tomorrow or anybody in the majors for that matter…he was consistently down in the zone and really had more trouble locating his offspeed pitches other then anything else…the Home run in the top of the third was his own doing….walking the leadoff batter and leaving a fastball up in the zone…overall though…considering…i don’t think it was bad for a limit of 75 pitches…we’ll see how he responds and does on Tuesday with his next start against NWA.

by irishfever on May 7, 2010 11:08 AM MDT reply actions

From what I saw from the Gameday accounts, Francis still might need to work a little on lowering the ball count a little bit.

Early on it seemed like the ball/strike out count was closed to 50-50, but was able to get more strikes as the game progressed. Good news on the pickoff move, throwing out a runner early, but he did give up a homer to batter with a BA less than .170.

We’ll see how he does against NW Arkansas on Tuesday, then possibly continue on to a rehab assignment with the Sky Sox maybe by next weekend.

by CM85 on May 7, 2010 5:02 PM MDT up reply actions

not to make and excuse....

but the wind here in Oklahoma was blowing about 20 mph out to left field that night…so that HR…any other night would have been a fly out…it only landed about 3 rows up

by irishfever on May 8, 2010 1:48 PM MDT up reply actions

Sky Sox add Jason Hammel and Brad Hawpe for rehab assignments tonight in Sacramento.

Tim Redding was released by the Sky Sox.

by CM85 on May 7, 2010 5:04 PM MDT reply actions

A little too harsh on Nicasio

The ERA may not be where it needs to be, but he’s not walking anyone while striking out close to one an inning. He’s also not being hurt by the long ball, so he’s really just been a little hit unlucky so far. He’s basically had three good starts and three stinkers, so it isn’t like he’s fighting it every time out. The vitals still look fine, so it’s too early to write him off.

by David OhNo on May 7, 2010 5:54 PM MDT reply actions