Scouting Report

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

Franklin spent two years working out of the Kennesaw State bullpen and put himself on a semi-big stage in the Cape Cod League in the summer of 2024, but he walked around one batter per inning in both places. That changed when he transferred to Tennessee for 2025. He still pitched out of the Volunteers' bullpen but walked only nine in 38 2/3 innings while posting a 4.89 ERA and 52 strikeouts. The Cardinals found his stuff promising enough to take him 72nd overall and sign him for full slot at $1,145,900. Franklin got in three starts between Single-A and High-A after signing.

St. Louis intends to run Franklin out as a starter in the hopes that his stuff holds deeper into outings and makes him even more valuable on the bump. The 6-foot-5 right-hander showed a 94-98 mph four-seamer in Knoxville that got some of the best overall and in-zone whiff rates among all Division I heaters. The pitch can touch 102 but is especially untouchable because of its tremendous ride. It had an 18.5 inch induced vertical break during Franklin’s brief foray into the Florida State League. An 89-92 mph cutter was his most-used pitch beyond the fastball, but he’s shown the makings of a mid-80s sweeping slider and an upper-80s changeup.

Franklin toned down the effort in his delivery in his one spring as a Volunteer, causing his walk rate to fall to 6 percent, and that aids St. Louis’ hopes for him as a starter. He’ll need to show he can hold those gains over longer stretches and prove he can be more than a two-pitch hurler in the expanded role. Otherwise, the fastball alone could be dangerous if he slides back to relief.

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.

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
	03/05/2026	RHP Tanner Franklin assigned to St. Louis Cardinals Prospects.
	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	RHP Tanner Franklin assigned to FCL Cardinals.
	07/19/2025	St. Louis Cardinals signed RHP Tanner Franklin.
	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.