Prospects in the Jeff Francoeur trade

Last night the Atlanta Braves traded veteran outfielder Jeff Francoeur to the Miami Marlins as part of a three-way transaction also involving the Texas Rangers. With Francoeur heading down to Florida, the Rangers sent shortstop prospect Dylan Moore to Atlanta, while the Marlins send catcher/first baseman Matt Foley to Atlanta. The Rangers also receive one international bonus slot from the Marlins and two from the Braves, worth a combined total of $860,000.

Here's a quick take on Foley and Moore, the two minor leaguers involved in the deal.

Matt Foley, C-1B: Foley was drafted by the Marlins in the 40th round in 2015 from Rhode Island College. He's barely played: just 13 games in the Gulf Coast League last year, followed by 12 more GCL games and two outings in the New York-Penn League this season. All told he has 58 professional at-bats, hitting .207/.319/.207 with eight walks and 20 strikeouts.

Foley is 6-4, 230, a right-handed hitter and thrower, born April 15, 1994. His best physical tool is supposed to be power, although he hasn't shown it yet in pro ball. He'll take a walk but his inability to make contact against low-level pitching is a huge red flag. At this point he is roster-filler for the Braves, although maybe something good can happen if he finds more at-bats.


Dylan Moore, SS: The Rangers drafted Moore in the seventh round in 2015 from the University of Central Florida. He opened 2016 with Hickory in the Low-A South Atlantic League, hitting .244/.372/.394 in 340 at-bats, while stealing 37 bases. Promoted earlier this month to High Desert, he's found the California League to be a very friendly place and is hitting .351/.400/.649 for the Mavericks in 74 at-bats. Overall he's combined for 14 homers, 40 steals, and a 59/89 BB/K in 414 at-bats this year.

Moore is 6-0, 185, a right-handed hitter born August 2nd, 1992. He's an older prospect for A-ball at age 24, but he has solid-average tools across the board and has flashed good secondary skills with speed, patience, and sparks of power. He's also a decent defensive shortstop who can hold his own at other spots: he's played every position except catcher (yes, he's pitched, too, he has a good arm).

Moore is a nice sleeper prospect and Braves fans should be pleased with his acquisition.