Blue Jays Make Historic Announcement After Mariners Game

Originally posted on Athlon Sports
By Michael G. DeFrancisco | Last updated Apr 19, 2025 2:47 PM ET

The Toronto Blue Jays are off to a sensational start to the 2025 season. After Friday's win over the Seattle Mariners, they sit with a 12-8 record and are just a game back of the New York Yankees for first place in the American League East division.

The key to the Blue Jays' success this season has been their pitching. Toronto currently ranks fourth in all of Major League Baseball with a 3.24 ERA and second with a 1.06 WHIP. One young pitcher in particular has been a welcome surprise in Toronto this season, and in the process has etched his name in franchise history.

In an post on X, the Blue Jays announced that starting pitcher Bowden Francis has the second-best ERA in team history through a player's first 17 starts.

Francis lowered his season ERA to 3.13 with six innings of one-run ball against Seattle on Friday. Striking out five batters while walking just one, the right-hander picked up his second win of the season.

Lowest ERA in Franchise History through first 17 career starts:

Juan Guzmán (2.96)
Bowden Francis (2.97) pic.twitter.com/hGuXerjszh
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) April 19, 2025

Francis was a seventh-round pick by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 2017 draft out of Chipola College. The 28-year-old was sent over to Toronto alongside fellow prospect Trevor Richards in exchange for left-handed first baseman Rowdy Tellez.

Since making his debut in 2022, Bowden has excelled in Toronto. In 52 career games, he has a 2.91 ERA, 0.923 WHIP, and a 142 ERA+. The bulk of his playing time has come as a reliever out of the bullpen, but with 17 starts under his belt, it's safe to say he can hold his own as a starter as well.

Francis pitched incredibly on Friday, shutting down a streaking Mariners offense.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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