P | Bats/Throws: R/R | 6' 5" 225 lbs | Age: 21
Draft: 2025 | Rd. CB-B, No. 72, St. Louis Cardinals | Tennessee
MLB Pipeline Rank
W L ERA G GS SV IP SO WHIP
2025 0 0 2.25 2 2 0 4 5 1.75
Career Minors 0 0 1.50 3 3 0 6 9 1.50
G W-L ERA IP SO WHIP
2025 2 0-0 2.25 4 5 1.75
Career Minors 3 0-0 1.50 6 9 1.50

Standard Minor League Pitching Statistics

SeasonTmLGLWLERAGGSSVIPHRERHRBBSOWHIP
2025 2 Teams Minors 0 0 1.50 3 3 0 6.0 4 1 1 0 5 9 1.50
2025 Palm Beach Cardinals FSL A 0 0 0.00 1 1 0 2.0 1 0 0 0 1 4 1.00
2025 Peoria Chiefs MID A+ 0 0 2.25 2 2 0 4.0 3 1 1 0 4 5 1.75

Scouting Report

2025

Scouting grades: Fastball: 70 | Cutter: 50 | Control: 50 | Overall: 40

Franklin walked roughly a batter per inning in two seasons at Kennesaw State and continued to do so as an All-Star last summer in the Cape Cod League. He pounded the zone with power stuff this year after transferring to Tennessee, though he had a somewhat limited Draft ceiling as a two-pitch reliever. The Cardinals -- intrigued by what Franklin could be when extended a bit more -- took him 72nd overall and signed him for full slot at $1,145,900. 

Franklin ranked among the NCAA Division I leaders in overall and in-zone swing-and-miss rate with his fastball, no real surprise considering it operates at 94-98 mph and reaches 102 with huge carry and some armside run. He also threw one of the hardest cutters in college baseball, averaging 90 mph with a peak of 93, though it didn’t miss nearly as many bats as his heater. He focused on his main two pitches, rarely showing a slider or changeup that both sit in the upper 80s.

The Volunteers helped Franklin tone down the effort in his delivery, enabling him to slice his walk rate to 6 percent in 2025, down from 20 percent during his sophomore season. But his command still leaves much to be desired, because he leaves way too many pitches over the fat part of the plate, and his cutter is especially vulnerable when he does. If he can fix that and find a usable third pitch, there’s an outside shot he could start as a pro, though his potential as a high-leverage relief arm is tantalizing.


Draft

Video scouting report »

Scouting grades: Fastball: 70 | Cutter: 50 | Control: 50 | Overall: 45

Franklin walked 21 percent of the hitters in he faced in two seasons at Kennesaw State and continued to do so as an all-star last summer in the Cape Cod League. He has pounded the zone with power stuff this year after transferring to Tennessee, though he has a somewhat limited Draft ceiling as a two-pitch reliever. He still lacks consistency, showing the ability to overwhelm hitters but also getting hit surprisingly hard at times.

Franklin ranks among the NCAA Division I leaders in overall and in-zone swing-and-miss rate with his fastball, no real surprise considering it operates at 94-98 mph and reaches 102 with huge carry and some armside run. He also throws one of the hardest cutters in college baseball, averaging 90 mph with a peak of 93, though it doesn't miss nearly as many bats as his heater. He focuses on his main two pitches, rarely showing a slider or changeup that both sit in the upper 80s.

The Volunteers have helped Franklin tone down the effort in his delivery, enabling him to slice his walk rate to 6 percent this year, down from 20 percent during his sophomore season. But his command still leaves much to be desired, because he leaves way too many pitches over the fat part of the plate, and his cutter is especially vulnerable when he does. If he can come up with a solid second offering, he might be a closer.


Transactions

Team Date Transaction
08/26/2025 RHP Tanner Franklin assigned to Peoria Chiefs from Palm Beach Cardinals.
08/26/2025 Peoria Chiefs activated RHP Tanner Franklin.
08/19/2025 RHP Tanner Franklin assigned to Palm Beach Cardinals from FCL Cardinals.
08/04/2025 FCL Cardinals activated RHP Tanner Franklin.
07/19/2025 St. Louis Cardinals signed RHP Tanner Franklin.
07/19/2025 RHP Tanner Franklin assigned to FCL Cardinals.
06/03/2025 RHP Tanner Franklin assigned to College Workout.
02/21/2025 RHP Tanner Franklin assigned to Tennessee Volunteers.
07/27/2024 RHP Tanner Franklin assigned to Cape Cod League East All-Stars.
04/02/2024 RHP Tanner Franklin assigned to Chatham Anglers.
06/29/2023 RHP Tanner Franklin assigned to Kingsport Axmen.