Left handed pitcher Jeff Francis appears to be on the short list to stardom. He is expected to be on Canada's starting rotation at the Olympics, especially after recently playing in the Future's Games at the All Star Game break in Houston in July. He pitched the opening inning for the World Team striking out two in a 1-2-3 inning. He was one of only two Canadians in the game along with Olympic teammate Justin Morneau.
Francis was recently promoted to the Colorado Rockies AAA affiliate after an impressive start to the season in AA. In his last start with AA Tulsa he pitched seven shutout innings striking out 14. His record with Tulsa was 13-1 with a 1.98 ERA. He was drafted by the Rockies ninth overall in the 2002 amateur draft.
Last year he finished 10-1 with a 1.06 ERA in his last 13 starts with the Visalia Oaks. Francis also pitched 15 shutout innings in two California League playoff victories. Over a stretch of two seasons he's posted an amazing 22-1 record in 28 games started.
Francis began putting up huge numbers at the University of British Columbia, where he caught the eye of scouts after posting a 12-3 record with a slim 0.92 ERA in nearly 100 innings pitched as a sophomore.
