University of California, Los Angeles, Athletics
Former Bruin Ben Francisco Earns Major League Promotion
June 20, 2007
CLEVELAND - Former UCLA baseball standout Ben Francisco has been called up to the Cleveland Indians for the second time this season. Francisco, who posted a .329 average in 61 games for the Buffalo Bisons (AAA), will replace injured Cleveland left fielder Dave Dellucci on the 25-man roster.
Francisco has been promoted to Cleveland's major-league club for the second time this season. The two-year UCLA baseball letterwinner was recalled from Buffalo and made his major league debut with the Indians on Tuesday, May 1.
In his one appearance with Cleveland on May 1, Francisco played in the ninth inning as a defensive replacement for outfielder Trot Nixon. The Indians defeated the Toronto Blue Jays, 12-4, that evening, and Francisco did not make a plate appearance.
In 61 games with the Buffalo Bisons this season, Francisco registered 18 doubles, six home runs, 34 RBI and a .390 on-base percentage. Earlier this season in spring training, he tallied a .293 average, collecting three home runs, two doubles, five RBI and seven runs in 21 contests.
Francisco recorded a .358 batting average with 12 home runs and 79 RBI as an outfielder at UCLA. Cleveland selected Francisco in the fifth round of the 2002 MLB Draft.
Including Francisco, 55 former UCLA baseball players have played in the major leagues.