STLtoday.com

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

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

ramfandan wrote: ↑29 Oct 2025 11:18 am 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

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!

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

Talkin' Baseball wrote: ↑29 Oct 2025 11:49 am 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.

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.