KU's new catcher hoping to add competitiveness, experience to Jayhawks' lineup

LAWRENCE (KSNT) - KU baseball graduated perhaps the Big 12's best catcher after the 2024 season.

Jake English was named first team all-conference after hitting .318 in his final year of college baseball. The Jayhawks took to the transfer portal to try and replace some of his hitting production, along with experience behind the plate.

KU picked up a commitment from Youngstown State transfer catcher Ian Francis on July 1. Francis played in 128 games over three years with the Penguins, starting 111 times. He hit .287 as a sophomore and .284 as a junior, driving in 44 runs in 2024. He comes to KU for his final year of eligibility.

"I definitely think I can get another jump in my skills just because Kansas [has] so many tools to help you develop and the coaching staff is great," Francis told 27 News.

That coaching staff was one of the main reasons he fell in love with KU. Francis, despite 388 at-bats in his college career, knows he'll have to earn a spot in the lineup with the Jayhawks.

"Their message to me was that I got to compete, no matter who is in competition with me," he said. "I think that they're going to help me develop the most they can and at the end of the day let the chips fall where they may. I'll compete and work hard every day to earn the starting job."

Francis views himself as a 'tough out' and prides himself on an ability to compete in the batters box without giving opposing pitchers anything easy. He also knows as a catcher his job is more than throwing out runners and getting hits. He considers knowing his pitchers and assisting them on the mound a key responsibility.

"That's one of my favorite parts of being a catcher, and the game in general," he said. "Whatever I can do to make my pitcher succeed the most... Just knowing him and what makes him good and what pitch is on for him that day."

Francis says he hasn't met any of his future teammates yet and the recruitment played out quickly. He saw the program progress in year two under head coach Dan Fitzgerald and is looking forward to playing in Lawrence.