Francoeur is "country strong"

[CadensDad]

Francoeur reports 'country strong'

Jeff Francoeur added 17 pounds over the offseason and came to camp at 239, and it's obvious that he didn't gain that weight sitting on the couch eating pizza. The young right fielder is "ripped," as the players say, noticeably more muscular in his shoulders, neck and legs.

"He's country strong," said new Braves center fielder Mark Kotsay, an 11-year veteran. "One of his legs is bigger than both of mine."

Francoeur worked out all winter with trainer Chip Smith at the Competitive Edge Sports camp, which is designed for college football players preparing for the NFL scouting combine.

"I definitely wanted to add some power this offseason," said Francoeur, who raised his average from .260 in 2006 to .293 last season, but saw his homers drop from 29 to 19. "I really want to be able to hit 30 home runs; there's no reason I can't do that.

"I got stronger, and I feel great. I've noticed a difference in the ball jumping off my bat."

Let's see if that new 17 pounds of muscle can be translated into 17 more dingers or so

[Tarquin]

This guy to me is a major sleeper considering where hes going (Usually 90-110th pick). I think he will put Brad Hawpe numbers from last year 2 rounds behind where Hawpe is going.

[CadensDad]

This makes me feel better about my prediction for him
.289 31 114 93 7

[KoopaTroopa211]

That sound you're hearing is Francoeur taking a nice bump up everyone's draft sheets.

[CadensDad]

That sound you're hearing is Francoeur taking a nice bump up everyone's draft sheets.

good thing for me I've drafted 2 of my 4 leagues and he is a keeper in my other

[Bogey9906]

That sound you're hearing is Francoeur taking a nice bump up everyone's draft sheets.

The noise must be deafening from all of the draft bumps from off-season workouts: Spring Training Cliches.

[roninmedia]

Good thing I already took him in my auction league for $14. Let's see 30+ dingers this year, Jeff.

[swyck]

Hope those muscles don't get in the way of swinging the bat and hitting the ball. Strength is nice but this ain't football.

[bigh0rt]

Hope those muscles don't get in the way of swinging the bat and hitting the ball. Strength is nice but this ain't football.

Have you ever heard of that being the case? I can't recall any, off the top of my head.

[hybrid]

He can defiantly hit HR's, as he has shown in the past and he never had to get any bigger. All he had to do was hit for a lower avg., like he did before.