IN THE MIND OF JOSE FRANCO

[ScottH]

FROM THE DESK OF LES NESSMAN

TV On the Spot News Reporter (DUMB) Duluth Minnesota Broadcasting
On the Air Radio News Anchor (DUMR) Duluth Minnesota Radio
Sideline Reporter Duluth Warriors, PEBA Baseball
8-Time Winner of the Buckeye Newshawk Award
Winner of the Silver Sow Award
Winner of the Copper Cob Award

IN THE MIND OF JOSE FRANCO
Scouting Director—Duluth Warriors

Dig into the front office archives of the Duluth Warriors franchise and you find the hand of Jose Franco is the one constant in the organization during the post-covid era. Taking over as Scouting Director in 2021, Franco escaped the heat for a 65-win performance in his freshman season as Duluth was reorganizing. Coming off four consecutive winning seasons from 2016-2019, back-to-back losing seasons was quickly flipped on its head when Franco put his stamp on six consecutive .500+ seasons ('22-'27), with five playoff appearances including a PEBA title in 2026.

Constant turnover in the front office, decisions to sell talent and trade draft picks put the organization in a free-fall to the bottom half of the league making Franco out to be unqualified for his position by some pundits. Franco remains with the Warriors and is seen by owner Jason “Smokey” Bong as a vital cog in the gears that will move Duluth back to PEBA relevance.

“In this business you have to be honest with yourself when answering the question, ‘can we compete this season?’ Failure to be honest causes you to have a distorted view not only of your current roster but your prospects of winning in the following seasons. People above me make decisions based on information I give them. If my information is flawed, they make bad decisions and the fans grow tired of watching an inferior product on the field.”

People know that the veteran baseball man speaks the truth and Franco does not hold back when comparing overall PEBA talent with Duluth talent. “We have some fine PEBA players on our roster. When it comes to putting together a playoff team you must eliminate the ‘if’ players and replace them with players who can actually take you to the playoffs. What is an ‘if’ player? When you talk about a guy and the word ‘if’ is always in his description. If he stays healthy. If he can just get on base. If he can just get lefties out. Currently in the Duluth system the PEBA playoff experience totals 4 innings pitched and 92 games played by position players, 65 of them by Andy Sharp who has exercised a $28,000,000 player option for 2033.

“That’s it,” says Franco shaking his head. "When you consider we have drafted people like Barry Wallace and 

Guillermo Justavo plus, through various trades, had Acevez, Charron along with others, we have had some quality players. But not enough of them, and when we get them we need to add more of them. Hopes are high that with our current farm system and financial room for quick additions, we will soon be able to hold our heads high once more at the winter meetings.

We asked Franco for 15 PEBA players he views as top drawer when putting together a winning team. He was quick to point out that this is not a wish list and does not want to give the impression these are players Duluth is currently trying to acquire. “Just guys off the top of my head,” says Franco. “In no particular order.”

Alfredo Aranda—“The guy is 30 for 33 in post-season saves.” Pitching his entire 16-year career with Kentucky, the six-time All-Star has 13 seasons of at least 28 saves, topping out at 56 in 2026 (a single season record). Holder of career PEBA pitching records, K/9 12.4, Games 1151, saves 540. Aranda is currently 39 with one year (a player option) remaining on his Kentucky contract.

Greg Bowen— “Eleven years younger than Aranda but already holding a bigger salary.” At 6’7” 230, Bowen is a big presence out of the bullpen for Shin Seiki. With 24 playoff games under his belt, the big right-hander is already a veteran of the important games.                           

Matt Brown— “29 and already 8 seasons of PEBA baseball.” Another closer, Brown has seen the playoffs four times already and is a five time All-Star. With 195 regular season saves he might have a chance to reach Aranda but he could average 34 saves for the next 10 seasons and still be short of where Aranda is now. He is good though, with a 90% save rating Brown is signed with Hartford through 2037.

Bob Burns— “From 13 game winner as a starter to closing legend.” Following the 2026 season, Burns moved from starting pitcher to closer and has saved almost 93% of his opportunities while being traded three times, including during the last two seasons. Clear Lake holds a team option for Burns, who has been an All-Star every season (six times) since becoming a closer. He has pitched in three post-seasons.

Jose Gomez— “Three pieces of advice for parents. Teach your boy to throw left-handed. Teach him to throw a sinker. Teach him to throw a slider.” An All-Star four of the last five seasons, Gomez is now 31 and signed with San Juan through 2036. Nine seasons with San Juan, it took eight for Gomez to find the playoffs, but the Coqui have qualified the last two seasons.

Ricardo Perez— “He’s done ok for a Rule 5 pick.” A veteran of eleven seasons, all with Havana, Perez has made nine All-Star Games and pitched in 10 consecutive post-seasons. With 459 career saves and a save% of .943 he is under contract through 2037. Three times he has saved more games than he allowed hits.

Michael Vincent— “Who says two pitches are not enough.” Fastball, changeup has been enough to make Vincent a lot of money over his nine seasons with Kentucky. Pitching efficiently in the playoffs four different seasons, Vincent does not stay around long but when he is on the mound, he has become an important part of what is going on with the Thoroughbreds. Did you know that the Kentucky State men’s athletics programs spell it “Thorobreds” and the women are “Thorobrettes?” I have no idea why they use that spelling.

Enrique Vazquez— “Winner!” Six consecutive All-Star appearances and four Golden Arm Awards (so far), Vazquez is a top performer. Averaging 19 wins from 2027 through 2032, “Old Nick” is a regular season ace by every measure but has come up short in the post-season. After going 4-10 in seven straight playoff appearances with Havana, Vazquez was moved to West Virginia for the final year of his current contract, winning 22 games for the Alleghenies. He is currently 2-0 in 5 playoff starts for his new club.

Cheong-Sang Yun— “I don’t know what to say.” Second season in the league and this guy sets six single season pitching records. He did give up 37 home runs this season, 31 were solo and 6 with one man on. Amazing season and at 23 he should be around a long time. Not the same success in post-season but give him some time. 

Pat Watson— “Keep him healthy.” Three straight seasons hitting above .300 with 26 or more homers, Watson saw the field only half the time in 2032, hitting .264. His career injury report is 2 pages long. He is good for 8 WAR over a full season. Playing with Fargo in the playoffs three times, Watson is just as important defensively as he is with the bat, earning 2 All Leather Awards since 2024.

Luis Cedeno— “Needs another trophy case.” A 2022 Wunderkind, 2-time Royal Raker, 7-time All-Star, and 2-time Platinum Stick, what is not to like about Cedeno? A veteran of 12 PEBA campaigns and 4 post-seasons Cedeno played most of his career with Hartford before signing with San Antonio before the 2031 season. He has never hit .300 in a season but at 34 he can still put up some numbers. Like a 6.6 WAR in 2032.

Alejandro Lujan— “Needs a second house for his trophies.” Over the last seven seasons, Lujan has averaged 200 hits and just 21 strikeouts. Umm? That is good. Just one Royal Raker, seven All-Star games playing since 2022 Lujan has been in 73 playoff games. Oh, and he has 5 All-Leather Awards with a .982 career fielding percentage at 3B.

Tomas Martinez— “Will routinely contend for a batting title.” Making his debut in 2027, Martinez has been punishing baseballs since he entered the lineup for Neo-Tokyo. Now, after 5+ seasons he carries a .297/.353/.527 career slash line. Playing 51 post-season games in 4 playoffs, Martinez signed a one-year extension for the 2033 season. A 2029 Royal Raker, three All-Star games, and a 2032 SL League Championship MVP the big pay day is coming up soon. Did I forget to mention he steals 30 bags and averages 13 outfield assists per season. Yep, he does that.

Pablo Ortiz— “Even this guy’s mother wants to knock him down.” After 4 full seasons in PEBA, Ortiz has not made many friends, but he can really play the game. A 2029 Wunderkind the 26-year-old looks to be a 40-40 threat, already totaling 121 homers and 152 stolen bases. Winner of 2 All Leather Awards and 2 All-Star Games Ortiz played in 5 post-season games with the Codgers in 2030. He did sign a one-year extension for the 2033 season.

We asked for 15 but Franco has a reason for only giving 14. “I figure people will question my list and when the do I can say, ‘well who is the one guy you would add to the list?’ Any answer they give I can say, 'Yep that’s what I was thinking too.' Then we can all go away happy."

[Sandgnats]