Francisco’s success no minor benefit

But he might get squeezed out of the Indians’ outfield.

WINTER HAVEN, Fla. (AP) — Indians outfielder Ben Francisco had a productive 2007 season and, so far, has impressed at this year’s spring training.

Despite all that, the Indians likely will keep just four outfielders on their regular season roster, and that means Francisco is facing a possible — maybe even likely — return to Triple-A Buffalo.

But the 26-year-old is keeping a smile on his face.

“I’ve always been the underdog in the minors,” Francisco said Saturday. “I’ve gotten used to it. I could let it frustrate me, but I look at it as every day I have a uniform on is another day I have a chance to prove myself.”

Drafted in the fifth round out of UCLA in 2002, Francisco has proven plenty in the minors: a .294 career average with 65 homers, 301 RBIs and 121 stolen bases.

He won the Triple-A International League batting title last year with a .318 mark, splitting time between Buffalo and Cleveland.

“Last year was rewarding,” he said. “I had success in Triple-A, then got to be with a winning team in the majors and go to the playoffs.”

In 25 games with the Indians, he hit .274 with three homers and 12 RBIs. He was with the ballclub in the postseason, but not on the active roster. He’s hitting .421 this spring, leading the team in hits (7) and total bases (12) with one homer and four RBIs.

What more does he have to do?

“Benny’s at the top of the list, but there are still parts of his game he needs to work on,” manager Eric Wedge said. “We want him to utilize his speed on the bases. We still want him to get more comfortable in left and right field. He’s most comfortable in center, but we have Grady Sizemore there.”

The Indians also have right fielder Franklin Gutierrez and the platoon of Jason Michaels and David Dellucci in left. Since he has two options left, it looks like Francisco’s ticket has already been punched for Buffalo.

“I’m not saying that he’s going back,” Wedge said. “But if he does, it’s important that he handle it appropriately. Look at how Gutierrez used his time in Triple-A last year. He attacked it.”

Francisco said he paid attention to the way Gutierrez played after being sent down a year ago. Gutierrez hit .341 in 30 games at Buffalo to earn a quick call to Cleveland and a starting role in the second half.

“Franklin and I are very close and I see how it happened for him,” Francisco said. “I don’t know if there’s anything more I can prove at Triple-A. But if I go back there, I’m going to try.”