Jeff Francis

Infobox MLB player
name = Jeff Francis

---

width = 300
caption =
team = Colorado Rockies
number = 26
position = Starting pitcher
birthdate = birth date and age|1981|1|8
birthplace = Vancouver, British Columbia
bats = Left
throws = Left
debutdate = August 25
debutyear = 2004
debutteam = Colorado Rockies
statyear = 2008
stat1label = Win-Loss
stat1value = 51-44
stat2label = Earned run average
stat2value = 4.74
stat3label = Strikeouts
stat3value = 536
teams =
*Colorado Rockies (by|2004-present)

Jeffrey William "Jeff" Francis (born January 8, 1981 in Vancouver, British Columbia) is a left-handed Major League Baseball pitcher for the Colorado Rockies. Growing up, he attended Burnsview Secondary School and North Delta Secondary School in North Delta, British Columbia, playing for the North Delta Blue Jays, of the British Columbia Premier Baseball League, the highest calibre junior league in Canada.

Francis made his major league debut on August 25, 2004, against the Atlanta Braves, losing the 8-1 decision. He pitched five innings, allowing six runs (on three home runs), walking one, while striking out eight hitters. He earned his first career victory on September 5, 2004, against the San Diego Padres at PETCO Park, tossing 5.1 scoreless innings in a 5-2 victory for the Rockies.

In 2004, Francis was named Minor League Player of the Year by both "Baseball America" and "USA Today", becoming the first player in Colorado Rockies organizational history to win either of the awards. He became the fourth different player to be honored in the same season by both publications, joining Andruw Jones (1995-1996), Rick Ankiel (1999), and Josh Beckett (2001). Combined between Tulsa (AA) and Colorado Springs (AAA), Francis went 16-3 with a 2.21 ERA and .194 average against in 24 starts. He struck out 196 batters in 154.2 innings pitched, for a ratio of 11.4 per nine innings. He had more strikeouts than hits (108) and walks (29) combined.

Francis was drafted by the Colorado Rockies in the 1st round (9th pick overall) of the 2002 amateur draft out of the University of British Columbia, where he was a physics major. He was signed by Greg Hopkins.

Jeff and his wife Allison Padfield were married on December 31, 2005 in London, Ontario. Francis played for Canada at the 2006 World Baseball Classic.

On September 23, 2006, Francis notched his 30th career win against the Atlanta Braves. In the process, he passed Brian Bohanon to become the winningest left-handed pitcher in Rockies history.

On November 22, 2006 Francis signed a 4-year deal worth $13.25 million, carrying an option for a 5th year at $7 million. Under MLB rules, the option year would be his first year eligible for free agency. The contract will allow the Rockies/Francis to avoid going to arbitration every year.

On October 3, 2007 Francis became the first Canadian starting pitcher to win a Major League Baseball postseason game by beating the Philadelphia Phillies. It was his first postseason appearance.

On October 24, 2007 Francis became the first Canadian starting pitcher to pitch in the World Series but struggled in lasting only four innings and allowing six runs. The Rockies went on to lose the game 13 - 1.

On, February 25, 2008 the Colorado Rockies named Francis as their 2008 Opening Day Starter on March 31. They also have named Francis their Spring Training opener against the Chicago White Sox on February 27, 2008.

Career Statistics as of 10/2/07

External links

*baseballstats |mlb=433585 |espn=6038 |br=f/francje01 |fangraphs=4684 |cube=F/Jeff-Francis
* [http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=francje01 Baseball Almanac Jeff Francis Page]
* [http://www.symmetrymagazine.org/cms/?pid=1000342 "A Magnus Force on the Mound" profile in "symmetry" magazine]