Notre Dame Fighting Irish haul in talented speedster as latest rebuild step

While the 2024 season didn't go as planned, it's clear the Notre Dame Fighting Irish baseball team is trying its best to reload and get back into contention for a trip to Omaha. While he won't be on campus for a little while, their latest commit, Desmond Francis will definitely help that effort.

Notre Dame has prioritized its home state on the recruiting trail during Shawn Stiffler’s tenure in South Bend and that effort paid off late last week, when Francis committed to the team. 2026 Park Tudor (Ind.) outfielder Desmond Francis announced his verbal pledge to Notre Dame, becoming the eighth commitment in the class. Francis is the No. 156 player in the country, according to Prep Baseball.

The 5-foot-10, 170-pounder is just the second position player in the Notre Dame Fighting Irish 2026 haul. He joins top 250 infielder Hudson Brzustewicz.

Notre Dame Fighting Irish land speedster Desmond Francis

As a sophomore, Desmond Francis hit .493 in 85 at-bats while scoring 26 runs. In just 23 games, he showed that not only is he a top notch hitter, he's also a speed burner as he stole 14 bases.

While Francis is projected as only a position player at the college level, he does have the ability to pitch in the pinch. He finished last season with a record of 4-1, 2.03 ERA, 42 strikeouts, and just 16 walks in 31 innings pitched. 

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish baseball team now has 8 commits in the class and it looks like it's going to be one of the better in the ACC.