Position: LHP
Height: 6’1”
Weight: 170 lbs
Bats/Throws: L/L
Born: 09/25/1993
Country: Dominican Republic
Signed: International Free Agent, 2010 (Astros)
How Acquired: Minor League Free Agent
Bonus: N/A
40-man Roster: No
Rule 5 Eligible: Yes
Minor League Free Agency: 2024
Options Left: 3
Overview
There wasn’t a lot of information on Franzua when the Pirates signed him. He originally signed with the Astros out of the Dominican way back in 2010 and mostly struggled over three DSL seasons. The Astros released him after the 2013 season and he was out of organized ball until 2018. When he first signed, he threw in the upper-80s, occasionally reaching 90-91, with a good change. He may be throwing a good deal harder now. Franzua pitched in Japanese minor league baseball and eventually reached the majors there, where he had three good years and two injury-plagued ones. His fastball sits at 93-94 mph and he relies heavily on a change. He also throws a slider. The Pirates signed him to a minor league deal covering 2023-24.
2011-17
The Astros tried Franzua mostly as a starter over three years in the DSL. He wasn’t especially effective the first year, walking more than he struck out. In 2012 he had a very bad time as he couldn’t throw strikes at all. In 2013 he roughly got back to where he was in 2011 and the Astros released him. He pitched in the Japanese minors from 2014-17.
2018-22
Franzua reached the majors in Japan, pitching in relief. He had three strong seasons, steadily improving his control until it was quite good. He had K/9 figures in double figures all three years. The pandemic year was his best, with a 2.45 ERA in 19 saves. Injury problems intervened in 2021-22, as he totaled just 21.2 IP those two years. He wasn’t effective and had trouble throwing strikes.
2023
The Pirates signed Franzua to a minor league deal for 2023 and he opened the season on the 60-day injured list. He spent most of June rehabbing in the FCL and with Bradenton, then went to Altoona in early July. He didn’t pitch well with Bradenton and had a 7.08 ERA for the Curve. Opponents hit .289 against him, although his walk and K rates were good, 3.1 and 10.2 per nine innings, respectively. He was hurt by a high BABIP and low strand rate while in AA.
Apart from a couple of opener-type starts, Franzua spent 2024 in the Indianapolis bullpen. He wasn’t easy to hit, striking out 11.7 per nine innings, but his control held him back. He walked 5.7 per nine. He also had gopher ball problems, allowing one every five innings. He had a reverse platoon split.
Stats
TRANSACTIONS
September 23, 2010: Signed by the Houston Astros as an international free agent.
January 7, 2014: Released by the Houston Astros.
February 10, 2023: Signed as a minor league free agent by the Pittsburgh Pirates.