Michael Fransoso

MICHAEL FRANSOSO, SHORTSTOP
Born: July 27, 1990
Height: 6′ 0″
Weight: 175
Bats: Left
Throws: Right
Drafted: 27th Round, 809th Overall, 2013
How Acquired: Draft
College: University of Maine
Agent: N/A

WTM’S PIRATE PLAYER PROFILES

Fransoso has been a good hitter for the University of Maine over the last two years, putting up an OPS over .900 each year, with a slugging percentage over .500 thanks to some doubles power.  He also has good plate patience, with more walks than strikeouts total for the two years.  He may be an injury risk due to problems with his hip.  Fransoso had hip surgery in January 2011 to repair damage from a congenital condition that caused his hip bone to rub and tear cartilage in the hip.  That didn’t cost him any time, but he ended up having surgery again in August 2012 to repair some torn cartilage.  He’s a good hitter and if the injury doesn’t impact him over the long term, his bat could be interesting.  As a college senior, he signed quickly.

2013
A-:  253/359/320, 225 AB, 9 2B, 2 HR, 34 BB, 55 K, 14-20 SB

Fransoso alternated with Adam Frazier in the Jamestown middle infield, playing more at second.  He hit very well until August, then hit a huge slump.  After batting .309 with 28 walks and 25 Ks in June and July, he hit .169 with three walks and 27 Ks in August.  Thanks to his final-month struggles, he finished with a high K rate — one every four ABs — for a player with very modest power.  He didn’t have a huge platoon split; his OPS was .616 against LHPs and .697 against RHPs.

2014
A-:  269/356/385, 52 AB, 2 2B, 2 3B, 7 BB, 11 K, 1-2 SB
A:  242/358/392, 194 AB, 3 2B, 4 3B, 6 HR, 33 BB, 38 K, 5-8 SB

Fransoso opened the season as a utility infielder with West Virginia, but struggled in April, hitting just .135.  He started coming around from May 7-13, but got sent down to Jamestown anyway.  He spent part of June and July with the Jammers, playing second, third, short and both outfield corners, and hit well.  The Pirates eventually moved him back up to West Virginia and he continued to serve in a utility role, mostly playing the outfield corners with the team’s outfield still beset by injuries.  He didn’t hit for average with the Power, but drew a lot of walks and showed decent power.

2015
A+:  209/300/240, 196 AB, 4 2B, 1 3B, 23 BB, 30 K, 8-11 SB

Fransoso spent the season in a utility role with Bradenton, playing mostly second and the outfield corners.  His hitting fell off badly, although he maintained a good BB:K ratio.

Fransoso took a step backward in 2015, although at 24-25 he was old for the level.  He could be in a utility role anywhere around the middle levels of the system in 2016.

CONTRACT INFORMATION
2016: Minor league contract
PLAYER INFORMATION
Signing Bonus: N/A
MiLB Debut: 2013
MLB Debut:
MiLB FA Eligible: 2019
MLB FA Eligible:
Rule 5 Eligible: 2016
Added to 40-Man:
Options Remaining: 3
MLB Service Time: 0.000
TRANSACTIONS
June 8, 2013: Drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 27th round, 809th overall pick; signed on June 12.