Thomas Francisco Named ECU Baseball as Director of Operations

( ECU Sports Information )

East Carolina baseball is bringing back one of its most consistent hitters of the last decade, as former standout Thomas Francisco has officially joined the coaching staff as the program’s Director of Baseball Operations, per an announcement from head coach Cliff Godwin on Monday.

Francisco, a 19th-round pick in the 2021 MLB Draft by the St. Louis Cardinals, spent three seasons in the organization before returning to ECU as a graduate assistant manager for the 2024 campaign. His promotion continues a steady rise through the coaching ranks and strengthens the Pirates’ tradition of reinvesting in alumni who understand the culture and expectations of the program.

As a player at ECU, Francisco earned Second-Team All-American Athletic Conference honors in 2021 and wrapped up his collegiate career with a .348 batting average (134-for-385), 18 home runs, and 81 RBI. He helped lead the Pirates to AAC regular season championships in 2019 and 2021, both years that also saw ECU win the NCAA Greenville Regional and earn a national seed.

Francisco’s senior season was his most productive. A Preseason All-AAC selection, he started all 61 games in 2021, splitting time between first base, left field, and designated hitter. He hit .354 second-best in the conference while racking up 87 hits, 13 home runs, 11 doubles, and 64 runs scored, matching current Miami Marlins infielder Connor Norby in runs and at-bats (264).

He rejoins a staff that features associate head coach Jeff Palumbo and pitching coach Austin Knight, adding further continuity to a program that has become one of the most respected in college baseball.