Tanner Franklin looks like a really good pick at #72
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Re: Tanner Franklin looks like a really good pick at #72
"the potential steal of the draft" got my attention.
"With the 72nd pick, the Cardinals selected Tanner Franklin, another pitcher from the University of Tennessee with a 70-grade fastball. Franklin was called the potential steal of the draft by MLB Network, as he boasts a fastball that reaches 102 MPH and has the tools to dream on a dynamic starter or reliever at the next level". - Josh Jacobs MSN
Re: Tanner Franklin looks like a really good pick at #72
He was mostly a reliever in college. Not sure we can afford to be drafting relievers this high in the draft - he could be a good one, but we still have more important holes to fill.
No 1b/3b power bats anywhere in the minors (Baker doesn't count). Very little if any MOTO bat corner OF prospects. Still short on TOR SPs.
Seems like a weird case of taking the best available instead of what we need. At some point trades need to happen.
No 1b/3b power bats anywhere in the minors (Baker doesn't count). Very little if any MOTO bat corner OF prospects. Still short on TOR SPs.
Seems like a weird case of taking the best available instead of what we need. At some point trades need to happen.
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HorseTrader
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Re: Tanner Franklin looks like a really good pick at #72
"For Franklin, it’s the big, burly fastball and starter potential perhaps hidden by a college relief role. His coach, Vitello called Franklin “what some people think might be the steal of the draft.”
“I think a big question is why didn’t Tanner start for us,” Vitello said. “I think he profiled as a reliever the moment he got on campus. He kept evolving and became this strike-thrower with an incredible high ceiling. We just kind of dream if for some reason he was back on our campus there is no doubt he would be a starter. There’s no doubt his off-speed pitches would develop at a high level and he’d probably be one of the best starters in the country.”
A 6-foot-5, big-bodied right-hander, Franklin was a transfer from Kennesaw State who made one start and 27 appearances and struck out 52 in 38 2/3 innings. As the season progressed, so did the length of his outings.
Franklin presents a project prospect who may reveal how quickly the Cardinals are catching up with the industry when it comes to pitching development. Franklin, 21, has a blowtorch fastball that hits 100 mph.
“About as easy as a 100-mph arm as you’re ever going to find,” Vitello said.
He has a cut fastball that he plays off the heat.
“It’s in an infant stage of development,” Vitello said.
He has a nascent breaking ball that he flashed late in the season.
“That got all the scouts talking,” Vitello said.
All clips from Goold's article. Shady, I said in an earlier thread that I think he may have a higher floor and ceiling then Doyle. That's mostly based on the clips above. There are guys here way more in tone with the prospects then me. A lot is going to depend on whether the new Cards system can really help him fully develop the cut fastball and breaking ball. If so, then he may become a very good starter. IF not, he fail. My guess is at worst he's a useful bullpen guy
“I think a big question is why didn’t Tanner start for us,” Vitello said. “I think he profiled as a reliever the moment he got on campus. He kept evolving and became this strike-thrower with an incredible high ceiling. We just kind of dream if for some reason he was back on our campus there is no doubt he would be a starter. There’s no doubt his off-speed pitches would develop at a high level and he’d probably be one of the best starters in the country.”
A 6-foot-5, big-bodied right-hander, Franklin was a transfer from Kennesaw State who made one start and 27 appearances and struck out 52 in 38 2/3 innings. As the season progressed, so did the length of his outings.
Franklin presents a project prospect who may reveal how quickly the Cardinals are catching up with the industry when it comes to pitching development. Franklin, 21, has a blowtorch fastball that hits 100 mph.
“About as easy as a 100-mph arm as you’re ever going to find,” Vitello said.
He has a cut fastball that he plays off the heat.
“It’s in an infant stage of development,” Vitello said.
He has a nascent breaking ball that he flashed late in the season.
“That got all the scouts talking,” Vitello said.
All clips from Goold's article. Shady, I said in an earlier thread that I think he may have a higher floor and ceiling then Doyle. That's mostly based on the clips above. There are guys here way more in tone with the prospects then me. A lot is going to depend on whether the new Cards system can really help him fully develop the cut fastball and breaking ball. If so, then he may become a very good starter. IF not, he fail. My guess is at worst he's a useful bullpen guy
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Clubmaker2
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Re: Tanner Franklin looks like a really good pick at #72
Gorman, Walker...enough 3bs for my book..... but yes, Mo was awful at taking what the cardinals have, and converting some of it into what they need. Thus a team with 4 catchers and 3 3Bs on the roster.Carp4Cy wrote: ↑14 Jul 2025 10:24 am He was mostly a reliever in college. Not sure we can afford to be drafting relievers this high in the draft - he could be a good one, but we still have more important holes to fill.
No 1b/3b power bats anywhere in the minors (Baker doesn't count). Very little if any MOTO bat corner OF prospects. Still short on TOR SPs.
Seems like a weird case of taking the best available instead of what we need. At some point trades need to happen.
Re: Tanner Franklin looks like a really good pick at #72
Franklin has exciting potential, no doubt. The Cardinals definitely added some flame-throwers.HorseTrader wrote: ↑14 Jul 2025 11:05 am "For Franklin, it’s the big, burly fastball and starter potential perhaps hidden by a college relief role. His coach, Vitello called Franklin “what some people think might be the steal of the draft.”
“I think a big question is why didn’t Tanner start for us,” Vitello said. “I think he profiled as a reliever the moment he got on campus. He kept evolving and became this strike-thrower with an incredible high ceiling. We just kind of dream if for some reason he was back on our campus there is no doubt he would be a starter. There’s no doubt his off-speed pitches would develop at a high level and he’d probably be one of the best starters in the country.”
A 6-foot-5, big-bodied right-hander, Franklin was a transfer from Kennesaw State who made one start and 27 appearances and struck out 52 in 38 2/3 innings. As the season progressed, so did the length of his outings.
Franklin presents a project prospect who may reveal how quickly the Cardinals are catching up with the industry when it comes to pitching development. Franklin, 21, has a blowtorch fastball that hits 100 mph.
“About as easy as a 100-mph arm as you’re ever going to find,” Vitello said.
He has a cut fastball that he plays off the heat.
“It’s in an infant stage of development,” Vitello said.
He has a nascent breaking ball that he flashed late in the season.
“That got all the scouts talking,” Vitello said.
All clips from Goold's article. Shady, I said in an earlier thread that I think he may have a higher floor and ceiling then Doyle. That's mostly based on the clips above. There are guys here way more in tone with the prospects then me. A lot is going to depend on whether the new Cards system can really help him fully develop the cut fastball and breaking ball. If so, then he may become a very good starter. IF not, he fail. My guess is at worst he's a useful bullpen guy
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Rojo Johnson
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Re: Tanner Franklin looks like a really good pick at #72
Dint ya know? He who dies with the most Milb catchers wins!Clubmaker2 wrote: ↑14 Jul 2025 11:09 amGorman, Walker...enough 3bs for my book..... but yes, Mo was awful at taking what the cardinals have, and converting some of it into what they need. Thus a team with 4 catchers and 3 3Bs on the roster.Carp4Cy wrote: ↑14 Jul 2025 10:24 am He was mostly a reliever in college. Not sure we can afford to be drafting relievers this high in the draft - he could be a good one, but we still have more important holes to fill.
No 1b/3b power bats anywhere in the minors (Baker doesn't count). Very little if any MOTO bat corner OF prospects. Still short on TOR SPs.
Seems like a weird case of taking the best available instead of what we need. At some point trades need to happen.