Lucas Franco: THSB Cover Player

 admin  |    Dec 18th, 2024

---

Lucas Franco is a 6-3 180 Senior Shortstop for the 19-6A Katy Cinco Ranch Cougars. He has signed with Texas Christian University.

High School Career
As a junior, Franco hit .417 with 11 2Bs, 3 3Bs, 29 RBIs, 41 Runs, 21 SBs, a .541 OBP and a .565 SLG. He was selected as a 19-6A 1st Team All-District 3B, a THSBCA 6A 1st Team All-State 3B, a TSWA 6A 2nd Team All-State 3B and was named to the 6A THSCA Super Elite Baseball Team.

In his sophomore season, Franco hit .345 with 13 2Bs, 3 3Bs, 5 HRs, 33 RBIs, 42 Runs, 13 SBs, a .473 OBP and a .646 SLG. He was named to the 19-6A All-District Team as a 1st Team 3B and to the TSWA 6A All-State Team as a 3rd Team 3B.

Other Baseball Recognition
2024 Perfect Game All-American Classic
2024 Rangers Area Code Team
2024 Five Tool #2 Player in Texas
2024 Perfect Game #4 Player in Texas
2024 Prep Baseball Report #15 Player in Texas
2023 Rangers Underclass Area Code Team
2023 USA Baseball National Team Development Program

Personal Notes
Age: 17
Siblings: 1 Older Brother
Current Favorite Group/Singer: Sam Barber
Go to Fast Food: Chick Fil A
Other Than Baseball: Golf
Favorite MLB Player: Francisco Lindor

Interview

Cinco Ranch has been 19-6A Co-Champions two years in a row. What has been the key to the team’s success?

Definitely our team chemistry. Our captains played a big role in picking up the younger guys. Even the bench players are always picking us up when we’re struggling. The team chemistry is big and then knowing your team always has your back have been the big factors the past two years.

Cinco Ranch graduated a core group last year. What do you think is going to be the challenges for you guys in 2025?

I think this year the challenge is definitely our varsity experience. We have three starters that are returning, I think. So there will be a whole bunch of new people on the team. We will need to get that experience in the early stages of the season, like the scrimmages and the tournament games. We will need to get ready when it comes time for district.

19-6A is a tough district. What is your perspective on how good the district is?

Yeah, you can’t take any team lightly. Even the teams who are struggling in district are still good enough that they can come back and bite you. It happened to Taylor last year. Morton Ranch didn’t have many wins but they came back and beat them and split the series. And then we’ve almost lost to Morton Ranch two years in a row, which could have really affected our record and the district championship. But there is definitely four or five really good teams in the district that you have to go after each week and lock in.

You have gone 4 rounds deep and 3 rounds deep in the playoffs the last two years. How is the atmosphere unique for the playoff games?

One you’re playing different teams you never played before and may not know much about them. But also the student sections are loud and there are more fans at the games. And the competition gets tougher each week. And we get to play in great ballparks. Last year we got to play on Constellation Field where the Space Cowboys play. It just kind of put it into perspective that it is a bigger stage now. But it’s definitely way more fun in the playoffs.

You played the third base the last two years. Talk about the move from third base to shortstop this year. How are you feeling about that?

It is pretty natural actually. I’ve played shortstop more than I’ve played 3rd base. So it was more of an adjustment going to third base the last couple of years. At third, it’s hit hard at you so you have to just wait and trust your hands. I’ve had to make a couple adjustments moving back to shortstop – making throws, working on the footwork, trying to get to every ball. But it hasn’t been too much of a struggle moving back. It has been pretty comfortable for me.

Why TCU?

The coaching staff. Saarloss. DiLaura. And Mosiello is back now. All those guys are really good. Their strength program with Coach Zach Dechant is a big thing for me. They are really good with player development, especially for a skinny kid like me. TCU is great spot for me to go to put on weight and to develop. And I love the culture that they build with the players. The campus is really small, which I love. It’s not a big campus. I don’t even think there’s more than 10,000 students there but that’s what I love about it.