Jesse
Franklin

2020 DRAFT: One of the stars for the Wolverines during their runner-up finish in last year's CWS, Franklin is strong and athletic at 6-foot-2, 215 pounds. He suffered a separated shoulder during the off-season and missed the entire 2020 season. When healthy, he has two plus tools in his raw power and run speed. His power is generated more with shear strength and leverage than bat speed. After a tremendous freshman season for the Maize & Blue (.327/.379/.588 with 10 HR), he followed it up with a strong summer in the Cape (.302/.396/.417) and looked like a sure-fire Day One pick for 2020. However, he slumped a bit as a sophomore (.262/.388/.477) with his tilted, uphill swing path. His swing got long and loopy, contributing to his struggles with inside and elevated fastballs. He made strides last fall, adjusting his swing and setting up in the box with a more upright stance. While there was still length to the swing, the path was improved with less loop to the ball. Defensively, he moves well in center field, though he is likely to land in left field at the next level. He has very good closing speed, which helps make up for his occasional poor reads, and he shows near average arm strength. Currently, due to his injury and subsequent missing all of the 2020 season, Franklin is somewhat of a wild card for this year's draft. He profiles as an extra outfielder at the Major League level and likely selection after the third round.

11/10/19: Franklin has adjusted his swing from this summer in the Cape Cod League, as he set up in the box with a more upright stance. There’s still length to his swing, but it was improved swing path with less loop to the ball.

8/16/19: One of the stars for the Wolverines during their runner-up finish in this year’s CWS, Franklin is strong and athletic at 6-foot-2, 215 pounds. He has two plus-to-better tools in his raw power and run speed. He moves well in center field, though he is likely to land him in left field at the next level. He has very good closing speed, which helps make up for his occasional poor reads, and showed near average arm strength -- similar to what he showed during my look this spring. After a strong 2018 summer in the Cape (.302/. 396/.417) Franklin returned to produce a .281/.333/.380 line with wood this summer. His plus raw power is generated with more raw strength and leverage than bat speed. Due to his tilted, uphill swing path, his swing is long and loopy, contributing to his struggles with inside and elevated fastballs. To combat this weakness he must stand up a bit more at the plate and shorten his stride. After a tremendous freshman season for the Maize & Blue (.327/.379/.588 with 10 HR), Franklin looked like a sure-fire Day One pick. Currently, he profiles more to mid-Day Two, but with adjustments at the plate and a strong season of performance his rise back to Day One is not out of the question. (Seifert)

8/5/18: Broad shouldered, strong, athletic bodied first baseman. Spread stance. Rotational swing. Good bat strength. Really uses lower half in swing. Looking to lift the ball. Much swing/miss at fastballs in the zone and outer half. Above average runner underway. Solid defender with below average arm strength. (Seifert)