Bill Mitchell's Minor League Ramblings

Minor League Ramblings For the week of :
April 1, 2002

Minor League Ramblings is produced by Bill Mitchell for Minor League Watch.

Cubs find potential "diamond in the rough"
April 4, 2002

San Pedro de Macoris, a seaport city of 140,000 in the Dominican Republic, produces more professional baseball players per capita then any other city in the world. Cubs' outfielder Sammy Sosa, the city's most famous son, is just one of the many natives who have gone on to baseball stardom.

Alfredo Francisco may be one of the next.

The 17-year-old third baseman signed with the Cubs organization in February and began workouts with the other Chicago minor league players in March. Francisco's raw but readily apparent talent has since been drawing raves from baseball observers.

"You can tell that he's got tools," said Cubs' farm system manager and former major league player Carmelo Martinez. "First of all, he's got instincts. That's a good sign right there."

Martinez, who will probably be Francisco's first professional manager with the Cubs' rookie level Arizona League team, added, "He's raw ... he's got some pop. When he swings the ball jumps off his bat, and he plays some good defense. He runs well for a big guy. When he puts everything together, it's a good package."

At 6-3 and 180 pounds, Francisco already has the physical skills to play professional baseball. But he'll need many years of minor league seasoning before he'll even be considered for a big league job. His inexperience showed during spring training when he was given a few at bats in a high-A game, as he struggled against the more advanced pitchers.

Francisco acknowledged that he has much to learn about playing baseball at the professional level. Through an interpreter, the right-handed hitter said that his biggest adjustment would be in learning everything that he needs to learn and work on in the game. But he knew before leaving the Dominican Republic that it would be hard, and he prepared himself mentally for the experience ahead of him.

Alfredo Francisco Martinez isn't worried about Francisco making the adjustments to the professional game. "He's a good kid and a quiet kid," commented Martinez about Francisco's attitude. "He does his job. He's not afraid, especially when we do drills, to say whatever he's got to say to all the infielders."

Francisco is pleased with the instruction that he's receiving from the Cubs' coaches and managers. He had heard back in the Dominican Republic that players coming to the States didn't get a lot of help. He quickly found that to be inaccurate.

As for his goals for the 2002 season, Francisco replied, "The most important thing is don't get hurt and just have a solid season."

Francisco's next big test will be the extended spring training season, which starts next week. He'll then likely remain in Arizona for the rookie league season starting in late June.

A very small percentage of players starting their career at this level of baseball ever make it in the major leagues. But Alfredo Francisco's natural skills give him a better chance than most teenagers.

Martinez has seen many young players come through the Cubs' system, many of whom never live up to their expectations. But he's not worried about Francisco, remarking, "I think he's going to be OK."

--- Bill Mitchell