Baltimore Orioles: Orioles sign Juan Francisco to minor-league deal
The Baltimore Orioles keep on adding minor-league depth in camp. This time, they signed Juan Francisco to a minor-league deal with an invitation to Spring Training.
The Baltimore Orioles have plenty of room on their camp roster, which means they have every intention on finding players and adding depth to the organization.
The latest Orioles minor-league signing was Juan Francisco, who has an invitation to Spring Training.
Francisco hasn’t played in the Major Leagues since appearing in 106 games with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2014. Francisco hit 16 home runs but also struck out 116 times in 287 at-bats. Prior to the Blue Jays, Francisco spent time with the Cincinnati Reds, Atlanta Braves and the Milwaukee Brewers over a span of six seasons.
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Francisco had a tumultuous 2014 offseason which led to him not appearing on a Major League roster for two seasons. He was claimed by the Boston Red Sox in November 2014, and later signed as a free agent with the Tampa Bay Rays in January 2015. The Rays released him from the team three months later.
Since then, Francisco spent five games with the Yomiuri Giants in the Japan Central League and spent four games with the Tigres del Licey in the Dominican Winter League.
Francisco has made most of his starts at third base with first base following suit. He also made 21 starts in left field if you combine the minors and the Dominican Winter League.
Prior to signing Francisco, the Orioles also signed Chris Johnson to a contract this week, and added Johnny Giavotella and Robert Andino before the team arrived to Sarasota for Spring Training.
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Francisco used to be a switch-hitter but abandoned the concept in 2009. Francisco now hits purely from the left side.