Austin Franklin
Born:
10/02/1997 (Age: 26)
Bats:
Right
Throws: Right
Arm Slot:
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 215
Primary Position: RHSP
Seconday Position: -
Throws: Right
Arm Slot:
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 215
Primary Position: RHSP
Seconday Position: -
Acquisition Period:
3rd Rd., 2016 MLB First-Year Player Draft (TB)
Entry Point: High School
Options Used: N/A
Entry Point: High School
Options Used: N/A
Report Info
| Evaluator: | John Eshleman |
| Report Date: | July 20th, 2018 |
| Dates Seen: | May 29, 2018 |
| Level: | Class A |
| Affiliate: | Bowling Green Hot Rods |
| MLB Team: |
|
| On 40-Man Roster: | No |
Physical Description
Tall, muscular, and sturdy; some stiffness. Starter's frame, no projection.
Mechanical Notes
Low-effort, deliberate, SWU from 3/4; chest-leg raise, strong leg engagement, long stride, opens early, major spine tilt to clear arm, online to plate, slight head whack. Arm action: clean break, medium depth arm circle, good extension, late arm.
| MLB ETA | Present Role | Future Role | Role Description | Risk | 2021 | P | 45 | Swingman | High |
|---|
| Pitch | Present | Future | Sitting | Range | Comments |
| Fastball Value | |||||
| Overall Fastball Value | 40 | 50 | — | — | Velo and movement of better pitch, limited by command. Projects to improve consistency of delivery. |
| Velo and movement of better pitch, limited by command. Projects to improve consistency of delivery. | |||||
| Fastball Velocity | 55 | 55 | 92-93 | 91-95 | Gets on top of RHs from slot; lost a tick late in outing. |
| Fastball Velocity | |||||
| Fastball Movement | |||||
| Fastball Movement | 45 | 50 | — | — | Avg sink; some tail up in the zone but not enough to miss bats up there. Inconsistent plane; should improve with better repetition. |
| Avg sink; some tail up in the zone but not enough to miss bats up there. Inconsistent plane; should improve with better repetition. | |||||
| Fastball Command | |||||
| Fastball Command | 30 | 45 | — | — | Delivery timing was erratic, inconsistent hip rotation (timing of open) and plant foot, late release to sail armside. Has body, delivery to repeat and kept delivery together for flashes, better to gloveside when completing follow through. |
| Delivery timing was erratic, inconsistent hip rotation (timing of open) and plant foot, late release to sail armside. Has body, delivery to repeat and kept delivery together for flashes, better to gloveside when completing follow through. | |||||
| Curveball | |||||
| Curveball | 40 | 50 | 78-79 | 75-79 | Erratic; struggled w release point, backed up a handful. Flashed 12-6 w depth to miss bats below zone and in zone at bottom. Has feel, shape action to be average with repetition. |
| Erratic; struggled w release point, backed up a handful. Flashed 12-6 w depth to miss bats below zone and in zone at bottom. Has feel, shape action to be average with repetition. | |||||
| ChangeUp | |||||
| ChangeUp | 30 | 40 | 84 | 84-85 | Minimal use; didn't show comfort with it or throw with intent. Average fade. Quiet delivery and arm action suggest it should improve. Has fade. |
| Minimal use; didn't show comfort with it or throw with intent. Average fade. Quiet delivery and arm action suggest it should improve. Has fade. | |||||
| Control | |||||
| Control | 40 | 50 | — | — | Sailed FBs up and off edges; flashed ability to throw CB for strikes. Projected step forward with added consistency will improve FB location and keep walks to average. |
| Sailed FBs up and off edges; flashed ability to throw CB for strikes. Projected step forward with added consistency will improve FB location and keep walks to average. | |||||
| Attribute | Present | Future |
|---|---|---|
| Delivery | Average | Average |
| Athleticism | Average | Average |
| Pitchability | Average | Average |
| Mound Presence | Average | Average |
Overall Summary
Fits #6-7 starter role with utility to fill rotation or pen. Don't see the carry tool that allows him to turn lineups over consistently enough to be a true ML starting option for a contender.
