Reds still high on Francisco: MLB.com reports while the Reds are counting on 3B Scott Rolen to bounce back in 2012 after dealing with shoulder problems in 2011, the team still isn't giving up on Juan Francisco. "I like Francisco a lot," manager Dusty Baker said. "He's going to play a lot. Anybody that plays behind Scotty is going to play. Last year, I was hoping Scotty would play 120 and I was counting on Francisco to pick up the other 40. Then Francisco got hurt and had a knee operation the same time Scotty got hurt. That kind of messed up my backup plan for Francisco. I'm a big Francisco fan." Francisco is out of options heading into 2012, so if he can stay healthy, then he is a viable alternative to Rolen. "He's still young, [24] years old," Baker said. "He's still learning a lot and he's teachable, which is big in this equation." (Updated 01/06/2012)
Injury Report
No information available at this time (Updated 2/12/12).
Fantasy Analysis
Francisco hit just .258 in 31 games last year for Cincinnati and has largely been unimpressive in his brief MLB career. But last September we saw the kind of potential he has in his bat. Francisco clubbed a 502-foot homer against the Cubs on Sept. 12, which is the second-longest homer hit at Great American Ball Park. Francisco even showed progress defensively, which had been an issue in the past. Francisco has solid offensive potential, but as long as Rolen remains the starter in Cincinnati, then Francisco can't help Fantasy owners as much. He remains more of a long-term Fantasy keeper and NL-only Fantasy reserve on Draft Day. (Updated 01/06/2012).
02/01/2012 11:35 2012 Fantasy outlooks: Cincinnati Reds
The Reds rebuilt a significant portion of their roster in the hopes of winning now. Our Al Melchior breaks down Cincinnati's Fantasy options for owners to consider on Draft Day.
Juan Francisco was part of the opening-day roster for the Reds last season but an early injury cost him a ton of playing time. He went 4 for 19 (.211) with two RBI through nine games before a calf strain landed him on the DL. He was kept in the minors, once activated, and did not return to the majors until after rosters expanded in September. But once Francisco was re-called, he shows some promise with the bat. He saw decent playing time at third base down the stretch and hit .270 with three homers and 13 RBI in 74 at-bats. The 24-year-old has shown some pop in his time in the minors and is expected to backup Scott Rolen at the hot corner this season. With the way Rolen has struggled to stay healthy at this point in his career, there is a good chance Francisco becomes a viable contributor in 2012. He would become more valuable in larger Fantasy formats if Rolen were to miss extended time but as of now, target Francisco more so in NL-only formats on Draft Day. He is still a keeper in long-term formats as well. (Updated 1/25/12)
Actual 
AccuScore Projections) Note: Points are rounded down.
