Bowden Francis The Front-Runner For Rotation Spot?
10 months agoMLB.com's Keegan Matheson suggests that right-hander Bowden Francis feels like the front-runner for the final rotation spot to open the year after posting a 1.73 ERA over 36 1/3 innings last year. "He added the splitter this year, which I think will be good against lefties to go with his heater and curveball," manager John Schneider said. "I think it's just about seeing what his stuff does. We tried to do this a bit last year as camp went on, trying to get him up to 50-60 pitches. His stuff is so good in short spurts, but can you harness that as you get your pitch count up?" Francis' main competition is Mitch White, but the team's No. 13 prospect, right-hander Chad Dallas, could be a dark-horse candidate. Of course, if Alek Manoah (shoulder) isn't ready for the start of the year, both Francis and White could be in the Opening Day rotation.
Source: MLB.com - Keegan Matheson
Source: MLB.com - Keegan Matheson