By Jerry Del Priore
New York Mets minor leaguer J. J. Franco.
After the New York Mets signed infielder J.J. Franco in late July, the team shipped him to low-level Single-A Columbia to continue his 2017 campaign.
Since reporting to the Fireflies, Franco, son of Mets legend John Franco, is hitting .295 with three RBI and an OBP of .406 in 44 at-bats in 12 games.
Moreover, Franco is on a bit of tear with Columbia as of late, reaching base safely 13 times in his last five contests.
The Brooklyn native began the season in the Chicago White Sox system, playing with low-A Kannapolis and high-A Winston-Salem, batting .273 with four doubles and eight RBIs between the two stops.
The 38th round MLB draft pick of the Atlanta Braves in 2014, Franco played college ball at Brown University and shined on the diamond at Poly Prep High School in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn.
Note: Former Brooklyn Cyclone outfielder Jay Jabs clubbed his sixth home run of the year, in a 5-2 Fireflies’ defeat to the Charleston RiverDogs (NYY) Tuesday night at Spirt Communications Park.
