Cardinals P Tanner Franklin breakout player for 2026

[ramfandan]

Baseball America five days ago picked their 2026 breakout player for each MLB team . For the Cardinals , they selected hard throwing P Tanner Franklin , who was supplemental 2nd round pick last year.
Here is what BA said about the 6-5 , 225 fireball reliever who Cardinals will try to develop as a starter.

he Cardinals plan to develop Franklin as a starter, as he boasts a high-octane pitch mix featuring a four-seam fastball, cutter, changeup and slider. His four-seam fastball sat 95-97 mph this season, touching 101 at peak with good ride from a lower release height. His primary secondary is a hard, low-90s cutter with high spin rates and true cut-fastball shape. He tosses a changeup on a rare occasions, as well as a baby sweeper in the mid 80s, which some designate as a curveball.

With such an electric mix, it seems to be simply a matter of whether Franklin can stick as a starter as a professional. If he does, he could be one of the breakout names of 2026.

Franklin is currently ranked 15th in STL prospect list. Will be a player to keep an eye on this year in the minors. With Liam Doyle having a major league caliber fastball , Bloom is getting some young high velo into our system . Good to see ..Will keep our fingers crossed.

[Strummer Jones]

I would agree. VERY happy with that pick. Worse case scenario, he's probably a late inning reliever. Maybe a closer.

[Adam2]

High end reliver written all over him. solid pick at that spot. could ascend to a starting role, but all depends how the organization views him

[craviduce]

Baseball America five days ago picked their 2026 breakout player for each MLB team . For the Cardinals , they selected hard throwing P Tanner Franklin , who was supplemental 2nd round pick last year.
Here is what BA said about the 6-5 , 225 fireball reliever who Cardinals will try to develop as a starter.

he Cardinals plan to develop Franklin as a starter, as he boasts a high-octane pitch mix featuring a four-seam fastball, cutter, changeup and slider. His four-seam fastball sat 95-97 mph this season, touching 101 at peak with good ride from a lower release height. His primary secondary is a hard, low-90s cutter with high spin rates and true cut-fastball shape. He tosses a changeup on a rare occasions, as well as a baby sweeper in the mid 80s, which some designate as a curveball.

With such an electric mix, it seems to be simply a matter of whether Franklin can stick as a starter as a professional. If he does, he could be one of the breakout names of 2026.

Franklin is currently ranked 15th in STL prospect list. Will be a player to keep an eye on this year in the minors. With Liam Doyle having a major league caliber fastball , Bloom is getting some young high velo into our system . Good to see ..Will keep our fingers crossed.

I liked some of what I saw in his 4 brief starts. Control will be the issue going forward. He sat 95-96mph as a starter, I doubt we'll ever see the 101mph, unless he goes to the BP, which is a strong possibility. Either way, I liked the pick. Excited for his progress next year. Get those walks under control...that's my biggest issue. Lord knows we NEED RHP starters

[scoutyjones2]

Yeah, I'll wait till he's pitched more than 6 innings in the minors and 3 times as a starter in college.

Has all the possibility of a reliever

Yay!

[Talkin' Baseball]

He has a higher ceiling than a lot of our minor league pitchers. Interesting pick. Interesting player.

[Strummer Jones]

He has a higher ceiling than a lot of our minor league pitchers. Interesting pick. Interesting player.

Sure beats the pitchers we've been taking in the past few years. The "sits 91-92 but has pinpoint control" types.

[billybaseball]

I was surprised he signed tbh. I wonder if he had knowledge that the Vols coach was getting calls for MLB jobs. He would have been a top ten pick in 2026 if he had a good year starting. Cards definitely reached a bit for him just going on his experience level but talent is there in spades.