Follow the Prospects: Christian Franklin, OF

[tomterp]

Born: 11/30/1999 in Overland Park, KS
Draft: 2021, Chicago Cubs, Round: 4, Overall Pick: 123
College: Arkansas
B/T: R/R
5'9", 195 lbs

Obtained from Cubs along with SS Ronny Cruz for pitcher Michael Soroka.  Was Cubs' 14th ranked prospect per MLB.com.

Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 45 | Run: 50 | Arm: 55 | Field: 50 | Overall: 45

MLB Pipeline says:

Franklin hits the ball hard and has a disciplined approach that helped him lead the Double-A Southern League in on-base percentage (.398) and walks (71) last year, but he also makes a lot of groundball contact and struggles with sliders and changeups, leading to inconsistent offensive production. He displays plus raw power in batting practice, yet doesn’t drive the ball in the air in games, and four of his five homers last year snuck out down the right-field line. His right-handed swing gets long and he'll miss some hittable pitches in the zone.

An average runner out of the batter's box but quicker underway, Franklin stole 34 bases in 41 attempts last season. He makes good reads and takes good routes in the outfield, where his range grades as average in center and solid on the corners. He played all three outfield spots in 2025 with a primary focus on center. His arm plays from anywhere, aiding his chances at being a fourth outfielder in his new organization.

https://www.mlb.com/player/christian-franklin-681047?stats=career-r-hitting-minors&year=2025

[JCA-CrystalCity]

If Call is dealt, then this guy might step into that role (short side platoon, defensive replacement, fill in)

[blue911]

Looks like an Adam Eaton wannabe

[tomterp]

Looks like an Adam Eaton wannabe

One could do worse.  If he sustains that .400-ish OBP, got a little Nick Johnson in him.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

longenhagen slots him at #8 in our system, behind Dickerson and King and ahead of Cavalli and Bennett.

https://www.fangraphs.com/prospects/the-board?org=&sortcol=3&sortdir=desc
His report:

Franklin has made steady progress the last two seasons as he's come off a torn patellar tendon. He's capable of playing all three outfield spots (he's plus in the corners), he doesn't give away at-bats, he hits the ball hard (though often on the ground), and he plays with great effort and motor. Because none of his tools are plus, Franklin is a classic tweener outfielder. He hits with his feet very close together, and his swing is handsy, geared for low-ball contact, and produces an extreme opposite field fly ball tendency. Though Franklin's hands are authoritative and his hard-hit rate (54%) is comfortably plus (it was 41% last year), he probably won't actually hit for much power with this swing, except against lefties.He's OBP-driven fourth outfielder who should play a role mashing lefties and upgrading the defense late in games.

Gives an ETA of 2025.

[HondoKillebrew]

One could do worse.  If he sustains that .400-ish OBP, got a little Nick Johnson in him.

So long as he doesn’t have Johnson’s bad luck with injuries. 

[tomterp]

So long as he doesn’t have Johnson’s bad luck with injuries.

No kidding.  What was that last one, stepping on home plate?   

[HondoKillebrew]

No kidding.  What was that last one, stepping on home plate?   

Poor guy. Couldn’t catch a break. (Just realized the subconscious, unfortunate double entendre there.)

[JCA-CrystalCity]

As we talk about the outfield depth, we probably should be putting this guy into the mix for action this year. i could easily see him and Hassell platooning  next to Crews in CF and right.  I much more interested in watching Franklin than Young at this point.

He has to be added to the 40 man this December. Maybe from a roster management standpoint  you hold him back as long as Young is on board, but I'd rather see this guy's skills.

Interesting to see how evaluations have changed between last offseason and the trade deadline. In the offseason, FG had him as a 35/50 hit tool but now has him as a 40/45. In terms of game power, they went from 35/40 to 35/45, and raw power from 50/50 to 55/55.  Running and field stayed at 50s.

Excellent return for Soroka even if it were just this guy. To get Cruz as well, that's a very nice job of targeting.

[nobleisthyname]

Age: 25
Team rank: 11
Current level: AAA

July recap (all with Cubs AAA)

PA

|

AVG

|

OBP

|

SLG

|

HR

|

SB

|

K%

|

BB%

|

ISO

|

OPS

|

wRC+

90

|

.284

|

.411

|

.500

|

3

|

3

|

21.1%

|

17.8%

|

.216

|

.911

|

137

Year-to-date
Games played at position
CF: 45
LF: 24
RF: 12
DH: 5

PA

|

AVG

|

OBP

|

SLG

|

HR

|

SB

|

K%

|

BB%

|

ISO

|

OPS

|

wRC+

390

|

.265

|

.393

|

.427

|

8

|

11

|

20.5%

|

16.2%

|

.162

|

.820

|

117

[imref]

Made his debut last night - 0-3, BB, K playing in LF

[nobleisthyname]

Fangraphs ranks him the best prospect the Nats received this deadline:

Lefty-mashing part-time outfielder, plus in the corners and playable in center.

https://blogs.fangraphs.com/ranking-the-mlb-prospects-traded-at-the-2025-deadline/

[Smithian]

He and Lile should swap places.

I look at Franklin as Lane Thomas or Alex Call, and there is real value in that outcome.

[welch]

 2-for-4, with 2 RBIs and 2 BBs.

https://www.milb.com/gameday/red-wings-vs-knights/2025/08/03/781622/final/box

[imref]

interesting to see that they have him leading off.

[IanRubbish]

4/4 BB/K at Rochester, 67/84 for the year

With a consistent OBP in the 390s at AA and AAA, he's earned a call up.  I'd like to see DeBartolo push it, but he might be walking carefully around ownership's desire to play the contracts of the vets.  If that weren't the case, Wood could take a rest or DH, Franklin could play CF with Hassell in LF and Crews in RF. 

[tomterp]

4/4 BB/K at Rochester, 67/84 for the year

With a consistent OBP in the 390s at AA and AAA, he's earned a call up.  I'd like to see DeBartolo push it, but he might be walking carefully around ownership's desire to play the contracts of the vets.  If that weren't the case, Wood could take a rest or DH, Franklin could play CF with Hassell in LF and Crews in RF.

Why wouldn't you play Crews in center?

[JCA-CrystalCity]

4/4 BB/K at Rochester, 67/84 for the year

With a consistent OBP in the 390s at AA and AAA, he's earned a call up.  I'd like to see DeBartolo push it, but he might be walking carefully around ownership's desire to play the contracts of the vets.  If that weren't the case, Wood could take a rest or DH, Franklin could play CF with Hassell in LF and Crews in RF. 

Why wouldn't you play Crews in center?

Franklin is supposed to be decent in the corners and passable in CF.  Crews gets very good jumps in CF and has the speed to play there. My preference would be Crews full-time in CF and a Hassell/ Franklin platoon in right if Wood stays in LF. I'd be open to Franklin fulltime in a corner if the Wood is moved out of left.

[Slateman]

Crews in CF. Franklin could be a nice platoon piece. Our new Alex Call.

[welch]

Why not Hassell in CF? Crews in RF, Wood in LF and DH? Franklin platooning in RF or LF. Young and Lile to bench or Rochester.

That is: Hassell or Crews in CF...which?

[imref]

Why not Hassell in CF? Crews in RF, Wood in LF and DH? Franklin platooning in RF or LF. Young and Lile to bench or Rochester.

That is: Hassell or Crews in CF...which?

I "think" Crews is the better CF. Not sure if there are enough metrics yet.

[Slateman]

Why not Hassell in CF? Crews in RF, Wood in LF and DH? Franklin platooning in RF or LF. Young and Lile to bench or Rochester.

That is: Hassell or Crews in CF...which?

Im good with either. Guess it depends on who you think is the better CFer.

Lile has hit well enough to stay on the big league club.

[imref]

#9 today

[IanRubbish]

.481 OBP since coming to Rochester with 4.0 P/PA and full season OBP at .399.  Also has stolen two bases as a Red Wing.  Not clear why Jacob Young is blocking him.

[Smithian]

He should be up in DC soon. He's done all he can in AAA. He played in the SEC, hit okay in AA last year, done well in AAA. Let him up to the majors and let's see what he is, for better or worse.