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Blue Jays 2024 Player Review: Bowden Francis broke out after the trade deadline

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Bowden Francis’ second half was historical and he positioned himself to be an important piece for the 2025 Toronto Blue Jays’ rotation.

Of any area the Blue Jays need to upgrade this off-season, starting pitching is the least of their concerns. While they may add a left-handed pitcher in the rotation, they have five solid starters, José Berríos, Chris Bassitt, Kevin Gausman, Yariel Rodríguez, and Bowden Francis under contract in 2025.

Moreover, while the bullpen took a massive step back in 2024 and their bats were lethargic at some points during the season, the starting rotation had a similar year to the 2023 season.

With that being said, let’s look at just how well Bowden Francis pitched last season.

Bowden Francis in 2024…

ERA: 3.30

Innings Pitched: 103.2

fWAR: 1

FIP: 4.36

Strikeouts: 92

Walks: 22

K%: 22.5%

BB%: 5.4%

WHIP: 0.93

Salary: $748,000

Francis made the rotation to begin the season but gave up 12 runs in 8.1 innings pitched for a 12.96 ERA and an 8.33 FIP. After his second game, the Jays returned him to the role he had in 2023, a bulk reliever out of the bullpen. His numbers improved drastically, as he had a 3.86 ERA and a 4.52 FIP in 30.1 innings pitched during this time, missing about a month and a half due to an injury.

After a two-week stint in Triple-A Buffalo, Francis re-joined the rotation to replace the recently traded Yusei Kikuchi, pitching 5.2 innings in a doubleheader game while giving up three earned runs. In his next start, Francis gave up two earned runs in 5.0 innings pitched, before starting one of the most dominating runs in recent history.

On August 12, Francis pitched seven innings against the Los Angeles Angels, striking out eight batters while giving up an earned run. In his next start, he pitched seven innings again, this time with seven runs with no runs allowed.

His best start of his career was on August 24, as he carried a no-hitter into the top of the ninth inning, striking out 12 batters while allowing three walks. However, a home run to lead off the top of the ninth broke up his no-hit bid.

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Francis was right back at it in his next start against the Boston Red Sox though, throwing a no-hitter into the bottom of the fifth inning, Francis struck out five while allowing one hit in seven innings pitched. His next start featured no attempt at a no-hitter, as he allowed three earned runs in six innings pitched.

But for the third time in four games, Francis flirted with the second no-hitter in Blue Jays history, once again carrying a no-hitter into the top of the ninth. Once again though, the top of the ninth was led off with a solo home run to break up Francis’ no-hit bid.

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Over his next two starts to end the season, Francis pitched 11 innings, giving up two earned runs while striking out 10. Throughout the 10 games (he pitched a third of an inning on August 4), Francis had a 1.80 ERA and a 3.78 FIP in 65 innings pitched, with a 24.7 K% and a 3.4 BB%.

Making the sample size smaller, Francis had a 1.33 ERA and a 3.41 FIP in 54 innings pitched from the first game against the Angels until the end of the season, striking out 25.5% of batters and walking 3.1% of batters.

All of this is to say that Francis essentially will begin the season in the rotation, barring any health issues. While this form of pitching isn’t sustainable, the Blue Jays have a pretty good pitcher in Francis.

Previously in this series…

As always, you can follow me on Twitter @Ryley_L_D.