Description
Bowden Francis is a pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays. Francis played college baseball for Chipola Junior College and was drafted in the 7th Round of the 2017 MLB Draft by the Milwaukee Brewers.
Francis attended Chiles High School in Tallahassee, Florida. He went 9-3 with a 3.49 ERA and 75 strikeouts in 79 innings pitched for the Indians as a freshman. He was named first-team All-Panhandle Conference. Francis was a first-team All-Big Bend pitcher as a junior and a senior for Chiles, going 12-7 over two years with 1.29 ERA and 105 strikeouts in 142 innings pitched.
In 2017, Francis was named to the NJCAA Division I All-American Baseball team when he was 12-2 and recorded more than 79 strikeouts with only 20 walks and a 2.88 ERA. He played a huge role in leading Chipola College to a National Championship in the 2017 Alpine Bank Junior College Baseball World Series.
In 2019 with the Brewers Double-A Team Biloxi, Francis was 7-8 with a 3.99 ERA. He started 24 games for the Shuckers and logged 124 innings and registered an impressive 145 Strikeouts. Francis started the 2021 season with Biloxi and was 3-1 with a 3.86 ERA before being promoted to the Brewers Triple-A Team, the Nashville Sounds. He has pitched great for the Sounds through 3 games going 2-1 with a 2.12 ERA. He has also only allowed 7 Hits in 17 innings and struck out 20 batters. In 11 games between the two levels, Francis logged a 7–3 record and 3.62 ERA with 65 strikeouts in 59 2⁄3 innings pitched. The sky is the limit for the Rising Prospect!!!
On July 6th, 2021, Bowden Francis and Trevor Richards were traded to the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for Rowdy Tellez. On July 14th, 2021 the former Brewers prospect hurled five solid innings in his Blue Jays debut in Trenton as Buffalo beat Lehigh Valley, 9-2. The 25-year-old right-hander allowed just one earned run on four hits — all singles — while striking out four, walking three and firing 66 percent of his 82 pitches for strikes. On Monday, April 25th 2022, Francis was called up by the Toronto Blue Jays.
The 6-foot-5, 220-pounder incorporates meditation, breathing exercises and burning sage (herb) into his daily routine. While most big leaguers have their unique pregame rituals, Francis embraces meditation over rigid routine and zen over order. It’s an approach that’s endeared him to teammates and one he thinks will help him in the Blue Jays bullpen, or whatever role comes his way.
Francis has done yoga his entire baseball career, but after spending an offseason in Arizona the righty expanded his zen repertoire. On top of the ice baths and hitting the sauna, Francis worked with a breath coach and leaned into meditation during the 2020 minor league shutdown. Francis said it slows the game down for him and helps with his attention and awareness.
He began the 2023 season with Triple-A Buffalo, making four starts and recording a 3.45 ERA with 23 strikeouts in 15+2⁄3 innings pitched. On June 6th, 2023, Francis had his contract selected to the Toronto Blue Jays major league roster. In 20 relief outings for Toronto, he recorded a 1.73 ERA with 35 strikeouts across 36+1⁄3 innings pitched.
The featured Milwaukee Brewers 2021 Spring Training New Era 59FIFTY Hat was game worn by Bowden Francis in 2021 at the Milwaukee Brewers Alternate Site. He also wore this Hat at Milwaukee Brewers Spring Training. Alternate training sites were once again used in 2021 during the delay to the Minor League season as all 30 organizations sent Triple-A-caliber players to facilities in close proximity to the Major League parks in case an early-season callup is needed. Only players at the alternate sites are eligible to be called up to The Show — until the Minor League season began in May. The Brewers held full scrimmages and simulated games to get their players built up for the season with live game situations. Francis has signed the Hat and added ‘Game Used” in silver. The Hat shows good wear and was obtained directly from Bowden Francis!!!
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