Noah Franco "truly honored" to be tabbed Big 12 Preseason Freshman of the Year

February 5, 2025

TCU baseball began spring workouts last week as the 2025 season approaches. A major piece of the team this year is the freshman class, rated as the No. 8 overall freshman class by D1 Baseball.

One of the big pieces in the class is two-way player Noah Franco, rated as the No. 7 overall player in the 2024 class. Franco is young, too, having reclassified from the 2025 class where he was the No. 1 overall player.

Tabbed as the Big 12 Preseason Freshman of the year, Franco has high expectations placed on him before ever having taken an at bat or thrown a pitch.

"I'm truly honored," Franco said. "But the work's not done. The season hasn't started and there's a lot of work to be put in for the team. We all have one goal and that's to win Omaha, so that's all we're working for day by day."

The tall lefty has a fastball that sits in the mid-90s and a bat that can make opposing arms pay for their mistakes. Franco is also a versatile defensive player, capable of manning either corner outfield spot or first base. His flexibility gives head coach Kirk Saarloos the ability to move him around depending upon the needs of the team. For Franco, the adjustment to college life has been a relatively easy one. The California native packed up and moved across the country at 14 years old to play for IMG Academy in Florida.

Franco's options for the next level were plentiful. He had offers from almost everyone who's anyone at the collegiate level, including LSU and Florida also vying for his services. The 2024 MLB Draft was also a possibility, but ultimately Franco's relationship with TCU's coaching staff and the private school aspect paid off for the Horned Frogs.

The re-addition of Bill Mosiello to the coaching staff has done nothing but bolster Franco's opinion of his decision, as the left-handed bat has already been hard at work with TCU's hitting coach to simplify his approach at the plate"We're really just simplifying everything," Franco said. "Not trying to do too much and not trying to press. At the end of the day, everyone is talented here. It's just knowing you have talent, just go out there and have fun.

Now, Franco has high expectations for his team and his freshman class.

"It's a great group of guys," Franco said. "Just looking at it, it's going to be really fun. Just knowing it's going to be exciting for my years here at TCU, and just knowing the legacy you have to leave with you and your peers."

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