Frenchy

Jeff Francoeur is hitting a whopping .150 this spring with his updated approach, and I couldn't be more encouraged. If you've heard anything about Braves in the last year, you've heard how Francoeur had a "terrible year and really needs a bounce-back season." As if he doesn't put enough pressure on himself, he can't go a single at-bat without the commentator mentioning how terrible last season was.

But it's been equally well-documented that he busted his ass all offseason trying to fix the issue. The result thus far, the aforementioned .150 average. But what's impressive? He's scored 4 runs on only 3 hits in 20 at bats. How? He's walking! Who's walking? Francoeur's walking. Jeff Francoeur? YES. Jeff Francoeur has drawn 4 walks in his 24 plate appearance: 17% of the time. If you followed the first 2.5 years of Francoeur's free swinging (don't call me Richards) career, you know he never walks.

What's better? He has 0 strikeouts. Does Jeff Francoeur's new approach not only involves a new stance but also new-found plate discipline? He says the new stance really allows him to see the ball better. In his first 24 appearances, it looks as though he's dead on. Don't worry nay-sayers... the hits will come.