Meet the Milwaukee Brewers’ 7th Round Pick Bowden Francis

We continue our conversations with Brewers’ draftees. This time we interviewed seventh round pick Bowden Francis. Bowden is a big sinker baller who was expected to go a few rounds earlier than he went to the Brewers. He breaks down his draft day and who he is on the mound.

Brad Ford: Congrats on getting drafted! What was it like when you found out you were drafted?

Bowden Francis: It was awesome. I was kind of stressed out at first. It’s different getting a call and them telling you where you’re going to go and then it’s a different feeling when you actually get your name called and it’s certain.

Brad: What were you doing when you found out you were drafted?

Bowden: It was just me and my little brother Harrison. He got picked in the fourth, so we were just kind of watching after that waiting for me to get picked. Once I got picked we just celebrated together.

Brad: Did you know that the Brewers were interested in you?

Bowden: They were probably in the top 10. They weren’t even in the top five though. I started sliding, and they said they were going to get me in the sixth and it just kind of fell through. I texted Steve Smith, an area scout, and we kinda texted back and forth, and he was trying real hard to get me then all of a sudden in the seventh my name was called.

Brad: What’s the scouting report for Bowden Francis? What are the pitches you go to? What’s your velocity?

Bowden: I’m like a sinker kinda guy. I have a high three-quarter slot. I usually like to pitch inside a lot and get in on their hands. I like to throw a changeup a lot, and I throw a slider. My slider is 79-80, my changeup is 80-82, and the fastball is usually 90-93, I’ve touched a couple of fours, but I usually sit around 92.

Brad: What’s your go-to pitch in the arsenal? Is it the sinker?

Bowden: The sinker and then my slider is the out pitch.

Brad: Do you model yourself after anyone?

Bowden: I’ve heard (Derek) Lowe, but I like to watch Gerrit Cole a lot.

Brad: When you reach the big leagues, where do you see yourself? The starting rotation or the bullpen?

Bowden: I’d like to be in the top three starters.

Brad: What do you like to do in your downtime?

Bowden: I’ll watch Netflix here and there. Usually, I like to work out or play golf. I like to take it easy.

Brad: If you weren’t playing baseball, what else would be your dream job?

Bowden: If not playing, I’d like to a Division 1 coach or a scout. I’d want to stay around the game.