Gwinnett's Jeff Francoeur Is Back With the Braves

LILBURN, GA -- One-time Atlanta Braves phenom Jeff Francoeur, a Gwinnett County native and Parkview HIgh School alum, has made his way back home.

Now considered a journeyman outfielder, ”Frenchy,” as he’s known to fans, parlayed a solid season with the Cincinnati Reds last year into an a minor-league contract offer from the Braves on Monday.

Despite the contract’s nature, Francoeur has been invited to Braves spring training and is expected to compete for a spot on the Major League roster.

“We are excited to bring Jeff back home and he will get every opportunity to make our club out of Spring Training,” Braves general manager John Coppolella said in a news release. “He brings a lot to us in terms of makeup and experience. But we signed him because he had a great year and we think he may be able to help us win in 2016.”

Francoeur was drafted in the first round by the Braves in 2002 and made his debut in the big leagues in 2005, homering in his Major League debut. He played with the Braves through 2009.

His hot start subjected him to a huge amount of hype. A month into his Major League career, he was dubbed “The Natural” on the cover of Sports Illustrated magazine.

He hit 14 homers in 70 games his rookie year and followed that campaign up with a 29-home run season in 2006. He won a Gold Glove in 2007, batting .293.

But, from there, he slumped. He was traded to the Mets in 2009 and, since then, has bounced to the Rangers, Royals, Giants, Padres and Phillies.

Last season, he batted a solid .258 with 13 home runs for the Phils.

Should Francoeur not make the Major League squad immediately, he could land even closer to home with the Braves Triple-A affiliate in Gwinnett.

(Photo via Wikimedia Commons)