Nick Franklin, SS Seattle Mariners
3/2/1991
Height: 6’1″ Weight: 175
Nick Franklin was drafted by the Seattle Mariners in the 1st round of the 2009 draft. He signed for $1.28mm as the #27 overall pick and was sent to the Arizona League and then the Northwest for his first taste of pro ball that summer. He hit .302 and .400 respectively in his abbreviated appearances, but getting his feet wet let the Mariners start his 2010 season in the Midwest League .
Franklin made a name for himself in his full season debut raking the Midwest League to the tune of .281 with 22 doubles, 7 triples and 23 HR. His IsoP of .205 was very unexpected but the .281 AVG was in line with his luck on the season where he put up a .328 BABIP. He kicked in 25 SB as well. So overall it was a very successful season the boosted him into the upper level of Mariners prospects.
The hype and 2010 campaign put Franklin into our Top Prospect List entering 2011:
Nick Franklin, SS Mariners (Jacob Langston/Orlando Sentinel)
69. Nick Franklin SS SEA – Franklin has a big swing to go along with his above average speed. He has good power but will need to tame his strikeouts if he’s going to get the most out of his speed. Though even if he doesn’t become more of a hitter his power is legit and he will fill out more and keep a lot of that power. A legit 20/20 type middle infielder. Might need to move off of SS in time due to his arm. There a big pluses and some negatives to this skill set.
In a 2011 season that was interrupted by injuries and illnesses, Franklin still showed flashes of his 2010 talents. Let’s take a look at the bat and glove and see what he has as a top 100 prospect.
The Bat
Despite only playing a touch over a half of a season, Franklin, was able to drop his K rate from 21.4% to 18.9% while jumping up a level as a 20 year old in High-A Cal. He hit a respectable .275 and also boosted his walk rate from 8.7% in 2010 to 10.4% in 2011.
On the flip side, his IsoP dropped from the .205 level to .136 this season. I don’t see his power as being a issue in the future, so I’m not worried about the drop off this season and fully expect him to bounce back in the AFL and next season.
The Glove
Franklin is an average SS and that will be his highest level at the position. He’s doesn’t possess elite speed or range and his arm is really only average at this time. He’s going to add more weight to his frame as he matures and I think that will slow him enough to where SS won’t be an option for him. On the positive side of that scenario is the uptick in his power potential. He has enough glove to handle the transition to 2B or 3B in my opinion. OF? Absolutely. If he hits enough they will find a defensive home for him and he’s athletic to find make the transitions.
Our Instinct
As I just mentioned, I don’t think Franklin is a SS long term. But he may develop enough power to transition over to 3B and be a high end defender there. It’s not something that is readily spoken about. Most have him as a 2B transition and while that is a logical move, it’s not the most beneficial for the Mariners in the long run.
If he adds weight and becomes a 25+ HR type with SS actions at the hot corner he’ll fit very well with the Mariners. If not, then the Mariners will force the issue and try to keep him at SS and pair him with Ackley. Because that issue means that Franklin is blocked at 2B by a better hitter already.
Franklin is still young and there is development time that he is going to need before that decision needs to be made. He’ll start the 2012 season at Double-A and probably spend the whole season there. If a defensive transition needs to be made it should be started next year. His ETA is 2013 probably around midseason.
Check back soon as we profile many more Top MLB Prospects and also get our baseball geek on and take a look at some of the later draft picks from the 2011 draft that we think could be big names on the prospect radars in the near future. While you’re here, take a look at our on going series Touch’em All | Appalachian League and be a step ahead of the game. Thanks for checking Baseball Instinct. We’re working hard to bring you the best of the minor leagues and make the site the best experience it can be. So don’t hesitate to tell us what you would like to read about. Email us now at mailbag@baseballinstinct.com.
