Jeff Francis is a former Canadian professional baseball player who played as a pitcher in Major League Baseball (MLB) for over a decade. He was born on January 8, 1981, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Francis started playing baseball at a young age and was a standout player in high school. He then went on to play college baseball at the University of British Columbia, where he was named the Canadian Intercollegiate Baseball Player of the Year in 2002.
In 2002, Francis was drafted by the Colorado Rockies in the first round of the MLB draft. He quickly rose through the ranks of the Rockies' minor league system and made his MLB debut in 2004. Francis became a regular starter for the Rockies in 2005 and had a breakout season in 2006. He finished the season with a 13-11 record and a 4.16 ERA, helping the Rockies reach the playoffs for the first time in franchise history.
Francis continued to be a reliable starter for the Rockies over the next few seasons, but injuries began to take a toll on his performance. He missed the entire 2009 season due to shoulder surgery and struggled to regain his form in the following years. Francis left the Rockies after the 2010 season and signed with the Kansas City Royals.
Francis spent one season with the Royals before being traded to the Colorado Rockies in 2012. He had a solid season with the Rockies, finishing with a 6-7 record and a 5.58 ERA. Francis then signed with the Cincinnati Reds in 2013 but struggled with injuries and was released midway through the season.
After a brief stint with the New York Yankees in 2014, Francis signed with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2015. He made six starts for the Blue Jays but struggled with a 1-2 record and a 6.27 ERA. Francis was released by the Blue Jays in June 2015 and subsequently retired from professional baseball.
Throughout his career, Francis was known for his control and ability to keep hitters off balance with his changeup. He finished his career with a 72-82 record and a 4.97 ERA. Francis also represented Canada in international competition, including the 2006 and 2009 World Baseball Classic.
In retirement, Francis has remained involved in baseball as a coach and mentor. He has worked with young players in Canada and has also served as a pitching coach for the Canadian national team. Francis is also a member of the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame, having been inducted in 2019.
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