Welcome to the Show! Blue Jays promote former Chiles RHP Bowden Francis to big leagues
Bowden Francis fulfilled a childhood dream Monday when he earned his first big-league promotion.
He made history, too.
Francis – a power-pitching right-hander with the Toronto Blue Jays – is the first player from Chiles High to reach the majors. The school opened in 1999.
Francis, who turned 26 last week, joined the Blue Jays for their home series against the Boston Red Sox. He is expected to add rotation and bullpen depth.
“Getting drafted is one thing, but to actually make it to the big leagues? How many do that?,” Chiles coach Dick Steed said. “When you think about our area and the players drafted … it’s quite an accomplishment. We are proud of him, it’s pretty cool.”
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Steady climb up pro ladder
Francis, a 2015 Chiles graduate, has made steady strides in professional baseball since he was drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in the seventh-round of the 2017 MLB Draft out of Chipola College in Marianna.
Francis was traded in July 2021 from the Brewers to the Blue Jays, where he has played at Triple-A Buffalo for the past two seasons. He is 1-0 with a 4.33 ERA in three starts this season, striking out 17 in 15.1 innings and throwing six scoreless innings in his last start April 21.
Monday’s promotion reflects Bowden’s work ethic, talent and determination.
It’s not an easy journey either. Less than 0.5 percent of high school players will eventually be drafted by an MLB team.
Plus, it’s not every day when brothers are selected in the same professional draft on the same afternoon. Yet it happened in the Francis home in 2017, when Bowden and Harrison were drafted 90 minutes apart.
Harrison was selected in the fourth round (112th overall by the Arizona Diamondbacks) following his senior season at Chiles. Bowden followed when the Brewers selected him three rounds later.
“It’s amazing and I am so excited for him,” said Harrison, who was released by the Diamondbacks last season but also continues to chase his baseball dream in an Independent League - American Association of Professional Baseball. He leaves this weekend to join the Gary (Indiana) SouthShore RailCats.
“I had a good feeling it (promotion) would be coming, but until Bowden actually says the word. ... that was such a cool telephone call to get from him,' Harrison said. "To see the whole process – his discipline on and off the field – and the person he has become. I am so proud. He’s the best brother you could ask for.”
Changes body, embraces meditation
Francis boasts a low to mid-90s fastball that shows late life and a slider with downward slant.
The 6-foot-5, 220-pounder has also changed his body composition through diet and exercise. Additionally, two years ago he incorporated meditation, breathing exercises and burning sage (herb) into his daily routine. Francis said it slows the game down for him and helps with his attention and awareness. Even more importantly, fatherhood has also helped him stay grounded – Francis and his girlfriend have a 1-year-old boy.
“If this is the career they truly want – and it’s such a long road – you have to be committed 100 percent,” said Mike Francis, Bowden and Harrison’s father. “They’ve always stayed hungry, put in the hours. I am proud of them. I had a feeling Bowden might get called up, but I had no idea it would be this soon. It has been fun watching the Blue Jays on television the past couple nights.”
Chipola College coach Jeff Johnson was also thrilled for Francis, who went 12-2 with a 2.77 ERA and helped the Indians win the national title in 2017. Twenty former Chipola College players under Johnson have made it to the majors.
“He had potential and did a great job with his body, losing weight, working on his flexibility working on his mechanics,” Johnson said. “He probably worked as hard as any kid I’ve had who has made it to the big leagues.”
In addition to making baseball history out of Chiles, Francis was also part of a pitching-rich, All-Big Bend team in 2015.
Francis was a first-team, All-Big Bend selection with NFC’s Cole Sands (Triple-A with the Minnesota Twins), Lincoln’s Tyler Holton (Triple-A with the Arizona Diamondbacks) and NFC’s Cole Ragans (Double-A and former first-round selection with the Texas Rangers). Sands and Holton also pitched at Florida State. Francis signed with FSU out of Chipola College, but opted to turn professional.
In five minor-league seasons (2020 season was canceled due to the pandemic), Francis is 29-27 with a 4.22 ERA and 437 strikeouts in 428.2 innings.
“When Bowden first came to Chiles in the ninth grade, he was a big kid and you could see his potential,” Steed said. “He had some work to do and he did it, and really transformed himself over his high school career. It’s obvious he continues to work hard in all phases of his game. We are thrilled for Bowden and his family.”
Reach Jim Henry at jjhenry@tallahassee.com.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Welcome to the Show! Blue Jays promote former Chiles RHP Francis to majors
