Nick Franklin (baseball)

Nicholas Edward Franklin (born March 2, 1991) is an American professional baseball second baseman and outfielder who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Seattle Mariners in the first round, 27th pick overall, of the 2009 Major League Baseball Draft. He attended Lake Brantley High School where he won numerous awards, including being named the player of the year by the Orlando Sentinel in 2009. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Seattle Mariners, Tampa Bay Rays, Milwaukee Brewers, and Los Angeles Angels.

Nick Franklin
Franklin with the Seattle Mariners
Free agent
Second baseman / Outfielder
Born: (1991-03-02) March 2, 1991
Sanford, Florida, U.S.
Bats: Switch
Throws: Right
MLB debut
May 27, 2013, for the Seattle Mariners
MLB statistics
(through 2018 season)
Batting average.214
Home runs24
Runs batted in96
Teams
Medals
Men's baseball
Representing  United States
World Junior Baseball Championship
Silver medal – second place 2008 Edmonton Team

Amateur career

In 2007 and 2008, Franklin played for the USA Baseball Youth National Team, which played in Canada and Venezuela.[1] Franklin attended Lake Brantley High School. He took two months off of baseball after his junior season to weight train.[2] On April 16, 2009 Orlando Sentinel named Franklin the "Boy Athlete of the Week".[3] Franklin was named the "Orlando Sentinel Baseball Player of the Year" in 2009 after he batted .538 with 11 home runs.[4] During his time in high school, a professional baseball scout compared Franklin's skills to that of a "switch-hitting Michael Young".[5]

Professional career

Seattle Mariners

Franklin was drafted by the Seattle Mariners in the first round of the 2009 Major League Baseball Draft.[6] Before being drafted, Franklin committed to play baseball at Auburn University.[6] On August 16, 2009, the Mariners signed Franklin to a contract with a $1.28 million signing bonus.[7] Franklin began his professional career in 2009, splitting the season between the rookie-league AZL Mariners of the Arizona League, and the Class-A Short-Season Everett AquaSox of the Northwest League. In the Arizona league, Franklin batted .302 with six runs, 13 hits, two doubles, one home run, and four runs batted in (RBIs) in 10 games. With the AquaSox, Franklin batted .400 with four runs, eight hits, two doubles, one triple, and two RBIs in six games.

Before the 2010 season, Baseball America named Franklin the seventh-best prospect in the Mariners' organization.[8] Franklin began the 2010 season with the Class-A Clinton LumberKings of the Midwest League.[9] On April 11, Franklin hit two home runs in the same game.[10] Also in that game, Franklin was a single shy of hitting for the cycle.[10] With the LumberKings that year, Franklin has batted .281 with 89 runs, 144 hits, 22 doubles, seven triples, 23 home runs, 65 RBIs, and 25 stolen bases. He also played one game with the Double-A West Tenn Diamond Jaxx in 2010, getting two hits in three at-bats. His 2010 season with the LumberKings features prominently in the book Class A: Baseball in the Middle of Everywhere, by Lucas Mann.[11] At the end of the season, Baseball American named him as the sixth best prospect in the Midwest League.[12]

Franklin made his major league debut for the Seattle Mariners on May 27, 2013. He recorded his first career hit on May 29, 2013. On May 30, 2013, Franklin hit his first two career home runs. He set a club record, being the quickest player to have a two-homer game in just his fourth game. The previous record was held by former Mariner Jose Cruz Jr. who had a two-homer game in his sixth game as a rookie in 1997.

Franklin hit his first major-league grand slam on July 21, 2013, in the second inning versus Houston Astros pitcher Jordan Lyles.

Tampa Bay Rays

On July 31, 2014, Franklin was traded, along with left-hander Drew Smyly to the Tampa Bay Rays in a three team deal that sent David Price to the Detroit Tigers and Austin Jackson to the Seattle Mariners. Franklin finished the 2016 season with a .270 batting average. He was designated for assignment on April 1, 2017.

Milwaukee Brewers

Franklin was claimed off waivers by the Milwaukee Brewers on April 5, 2017.[13] On June 27, he was designated for assignment by the Brewers.

Los Angeles Angels

Franklin was traded to the Los Angeles Angels on June 30, 2017. He elected free agency on November 6, 2017.

Second stint with the Brewers

On February 15, 2018, Franklin signed a minor league contract with the Milwaukee Brewers.[14] Franklin was called up in early May but after two at bats, he missed the entire season with a quad injury. He elected free agency on October 23, 2018.

Pittsburgh Pirates

On February 6, 2019, Franklin signed a minor league deal with the Pirates. He was released on June 28, 2019.

Second stint with the Angels

On July 5, 2019, Franklin signed a minor league deal with the Los Angeles Angels and was assigned to the Triple-A Salt Lake Bees. He became a free agent on November 4, 2019.[15]

Kansas City Monarchs

On April 27, 2021, Frankin signed with the Kansas City Monarchs of the American Association of Professional Baseball. He appeared in just 4 games, going 4-for-14, before being placed on the inactive list.

Sioux City Explorers

On August 28, 2021, Franklin was traded to the Sioux City Explorers of the American Association of Professional Baseball for the reversionary rights to RHP Nick Belzer and future considerations.[16]

Kane County Cougars

On August 5, 2022, Franklin was traded to the Kane County Cougars of the American Association of Professional Baseball for 2 players to be named later and cash.[17] In 21 games for the Cougars, he hit .260/.370/.533 with 5 home runs and 19 RBI. On October 31, Franklin was released by the team.[18]

Scouting report

Jim Street, reporter for MLB.com, calls Franklin a "versatile" player who can play the infield, the outfield, and even pitch.[6] Jonathan Mayo, also of MLB.com, said that Franklin has the potential for power, and also noted that "[Franklin's] got wiry strength and decent speed".[19] MLB.com rated Franklin a "solid defender" and his arm strength "average".[20] Seattle Mariners' general manager Jack Zduriencik and scouting director Tom McNamara were reportedly impressed by Franklin's dedication to the game of baseball.[21] On January 25, 2011 MLB.com revealed their top 50 best prospects in baseball list, in which Franklin was listed as the 38th best prospect in Major League Baseball. With the Mariners, Franklin was a relative rarity among big league players in using a batting helmet with two ear flaps (others to use this sort of helmet include Shane Victorino and Shin-Soo Choo). Since joining the Rays he has started using a more conventional one-flap helmet.

References
  1. "Nick Franklin Stats, Bio, Photos, Highlights — MiLB.com". MiLB.com. Minor League Baseball. Retrieved June 2, 2010.
  2. Zach McCann (June 4, 2009). "Added muscle powers Lake Brantley's Nick Franklin to baseball Player of Year honors". Orlando Sentinel. Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved June 2, 2010.
  3. Zach McCann (April 16, 2009). "Boys athlete of the week: Nick Franklin, Lake Brantley baseball". Orlando Sentinel. Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved June 2, 2010.
  4. "Mariners sign first-round draft pick INF Nick Franklin". MLB.com. Major League Baseball. August 16, 2009. Retrieved June 2, 2010.
  5. Conor Glassey (June 2, 2009). "Borchering, Franklin, Johnson among Florida prospects on the rise". Baseball America. Time Inc. Retrieved June 2, 2010.
  6. Jim Street (June 10, 2009). "Mariners add offense in first round". MLB.com. Major League Baseball. Retrieved June 2, 2010.
  7. Tom Wyrwich (August 16, 2009). "Franklin signing official; still no word on top pick Ackley". The Seattle Times. The Seattle Times Company. Retrieved June 2, 2010.
  8. Matt Eddy (January 22, 2010). "Top 10 Prospects: Seattle Mariners". Baseball America. Baseball America. Retrieved June 2, 2010.
  9. "LumberKings Announce 2010 Opening Day Roster". OurSports Central. April 5, 2010. Retrieved June 2, 2010.
  10. "Franklin Homers Twice, Falls Just Short of Cycle". OurSports Central. April 11, 2010. Retrieved June 2, 2010.
  11. McAlpin, Heller (May 9, 2013). "Farm Team Saga 'Class A' Hits It Out Of The Park". NPR. Retrieved 29 January 2014.
  12. Callis, Jim (1 October 2010). "Midwest League Top 20 Prospects". Baseball American. Baseball American. Retrieved 2 October 2010.
  13. "Notes: Brewers claim Franklin, designate Blazek".
  14. Adams, Steve (February 15, 2018). "Brewers Sign Nick Franklin To Minor League Deal". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved February 15, 2018.
  15. Matt Eddy (November 7, 2019). "Minor League Free Agents 2019". Baseball America. Retrieved November 7, 2019.
  16. American Association Transactions
  17. "American Association of Professional Baseball - 2022 Transactions".
  18. "2022 Transactions". aabaseball.com. Retrieved June 29, 2023.
  19. Jonathan Mayo (May 26, 2009). "Draft Preview: Middle infielders". MLB.com. Major League Baseball. Retrieved June 2, 2010.
  20. "2009 Draft Reports: Nick Franklin". MLB.com. Major League Baseball. Retrieved June 2, 2010.
  21. Gregg Bell (June 9, 2009). "Mariners draft Ackley, then Fla. high school SS". The Seattle Times Company. Associated Press. Retrieved June 2, 2010.
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