YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) - Cardinal Mooney graduate and former Kansas University standout Ian Francis has signed a minor league contract with the Cincinnati Reds.

Last season with the Jayhawks, Francis appeared in 53 games, batting .253 with six home runs and 30 RBIs.

Prior to his time at Kansas, he played in 128 games over three seasons at Youngstown State.

He also spent time with the Mahoning Valley Scrappers during the 2025 season in the MLB Draft League.

With the Scrappers, he hit .265 with eight doubles and 14 RBIs with 10 runs scored in the second half of the campaign.

Francis was a three-year letter-winner at Cardinal Mooney High School, graduating from the school in 2021.

During his high school career, he was ranked as one of the top-100 prospects in the state of Ohio.

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