Bowden Francis Could Compete For No. 5 Rotation Spot
11 months agoToronto Blue Jays right-handed pitching prospect Bowden Francis, who came to Toronto in 2021 alongside Trevor Richards in the Rowdy Tellez trade, held his own in 2023 and posted a 1.73 ERA with 35 strikeouts and just eight walks in 36 1/3 innings in his first taste of the big leagues. His curveball is a legitimate plus pitch. Francis has earned a shot at starting again and could compete for the No. 5 starting-rotation spot in spring training. A trip to Triple-A Buffalo to begin the 2024 is most likely, but he'd be the next man up for the big-league rotation in that scenario. He could open the year as Toronto's bullpen swingman as well, which is a role he's grown comfortable with. Either way, Francis is going to pitch meaningful innings for the Jays in 2024
Source: MLB.com - Keegan Matheson
Source: MLB.com - Keegan Matheson