Conversation with the newly-signed St. Louis Cardinal, Thomas Francisco

Rewritten Article

Snagging Thomas Francisco in the 19th round! Here's a chat with our new Cardinal

The St. Louis Cardinals made a homerun move in the 19th round of this year's draft, snatching up promising slugger Thomas Francisco from East Carolina University. With a sweet-swinging bat and a smart head on his shoulders, Thomas could soon be a worthy addition to the Birds on the Bat!

We had a delightful natter with Thomas about joining the Cards, his hit-driven style, and his goals for the upcoming season. Check it out!

How were you feeling when you got drafted, and what was the experience like?

Picture this: I'd just come from my buddy's wedding and was catching up on some rest at my Florida abode when my phone rang. I knew I'd be selected, but I was still pretty thrilled when I discovered the Cardinals had claimed my bat for their squad. The draft was a zany affair this year, but landing with the Cards was a dream come true.

Did you have a decent idea about the Cardinals coming into the draft?

Growing up, my older bro was a hardcore Cardinals fanatic. Since he brainwashed me from an early age, the Cards were the only team I ever knew! As a result, I've developed a pretty decent understanding of the squad.

Ever been to St. Louis or Busch Stadium?

Never had the pleasure, but I'm super excited to get there one day! The Cards have their sights set on championship glory every season, so I can't wait to give it a whirl!

Any particular Cardinals legends you're dying to meet?

The Cards have a list of legends a mile long, so it's impossible to root for just one! I've already had the chance to work with a few, like Jose Oquendo, and I'm really looking forward to bumping into more pros in the days ahead.

I've heard that the Cards drafted another ECU hitter last season (Alec Burleson in the 70th round). Have you been in touch with him about joining forces in the pros?

I've certainly chatted with Burly a time or two! It's always nice to catch up and exchange a few insights about the organization and what it takes to make it in the big leagues. He's been on fire lately and racking up the runs, so here's to keeping the good times rolling!

So where are you at right now, and what are the plans for the summer now that you've signed on the dotted line?

At the moment, I'm holed up at the Spring Training complex, biding my time until the team assigns me to either the Palm Beach Low-A roster or the Florida Complex League (FCL). We're just waiting to see where I'll end up, but I cannot wait to get the action started!

Last year was a bit of a washout due to the pandemic- how did it affect you and your baseball career?

Oh boy, it was a strange time alright with so much uncertainty hanging over everything. It's not ideal for any player to have their season cut short, but I was fortunate enough to keep up my workouts with the help of my father and his high school connections. Glad to be back on the diamond now!

Having emerged from a strong college team like ECU, are there any moments that particularly stand out in your memory?

I absolutely loved my time at ECU! I teamed up with Coach Godwin for a memorable ride, including winning regionals for my freshman and junior seasons. Hosting those events is something special because it doesn't happen every year.

How would you describe your game?

I'm a hitter by nature, with a keen eye for the ball and a knack for putting power behind my swings. My walk-to-strikeout ratio is my strong suit, but I'm all about pushing for extra-base hits rather than tallying up strikeouts. On the defensive end, I'm versatile enough to cover multiple positions, but the Cards are starting me off at first base to begin with.

I want to give a big thanks to Thomas for chatting with us and extending all the best for his professional baseball journey! May he soon grace the hallowed grounds of Busch Stadium!

Thomas Francisco's draft to the St. Louis Cardinals in the 19th round marks a significant step towards his potential addition to the renowned MLB team, famously known as the 'Birds on the Bat.'
Over the years, Thomas Francisco developed an affinity for the Cardinals, mainly due to his older brother's unwavering fandom, making the team his dream destination during the draft.
In the upcoming season, Thomas Francisco, a promising slugger from East Carolina University, could build an average focused on hitting and contributing to the Cardinals' sports performance, particularly in baseball.
Thanks to the Cardinals drafting Thomas Francisco, he is now a step closer to performing at Busch Stadium, having idolized Cardinals legends like Jose Oquendo in his youth.