Jesse Franklin Stats & Scouting Report

AB	807
AVG	.229
OBP	.318
SLG	.449
HR	42

Full name Jesse Owen Franklin V
Born 12/01/1998 in Seattle, WA
Profile Ht.: 6'1" / Wt.: 215 / Bats: L / Throws: L
School Michigan
Drafted in the 3rd round (97th overall) by the Atlanta Braves in 2020 (signed for $497,500).

View Draft Report

The headliner of Michigan’s 2017 recruiting class, Franklin wasted no time putting his mark on the program, leading the team in home runs (10), slugging (.588) and RBI (47) in 2018. His hitting dipped a bit as a sophomore, though he did increase his walk rate significantly, and he does have some track record hitting in the Cape Cod League, though a 2018 stint was more successful than 2019. Franklin’s medical sheet has piled up over the years, as he’s dealt with labrum issues, hamstring issues and didn’t play a game in the shortened 2020 season thanks to a broken collarbone. That leaves Franklin as a bit of an unknown, as scouts like his all-around package of average tools and believed in his work ethic and plus-plus baseball instincts to make the most of them. Franklin has a professional approach at the plate and doesn’t strike out frequently, though some evaluators have noted that a wide stance can cause his swing to get too lengthy, which causes issues timing up fastball velocity. When he’s able to let his hands work, Franklin has above-average power potential. A center fielder for Michigan, Franklin will likely be pushed to a corner outfield spot at the next level. He gets terrific reads and has an electric first step but lacks the dynamic running ability that separates major league center fielders. He should be an above-average defender in a corner. While a short season and injuries have clouded Franklin’s draft status, those who have a history with him believe he’s a high probability major leaguer in some capacity.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

BA Grade: 45/High

Track Record: Franklin signed with the Braves for $500,000 in the third round of the 2020 draft. As soon as Franklin makes his major league debut, Atlanta will be able to claim a 100% hit rate with their entire four-pick 2020 draft class, which also included lefthander Jared Shuster (1st) and righthanders Spencer Strider (4th) and Bryce Elder (5th). Injuries plagued Franklin in the past, and he dealt with a hamstring issue that sidelined him early in the 2023 season, but he homered 15 times and doubled 17 times in 94 games with Double-A Mississippi.

Scouting Report: Big power is the calling card with Franklin, and he possesses some of the biggest raw power and most consistently accessible in-game power in Atlanta’s system. He gets to most of his power on the inner third and to the pull side, but he has enough juice to homer to the opposite field and both his average exit velocity and 90th percentile marks in 2023 were above average for 24-year-old hitters. Franklin is a power-over-hit profile, who is challenged on the outer third and at the top of the zone with swing-and-miss tendencies that are amplified vs. secondary pitches, though he has done a nice job against velocity. Franklin is an average runner and solid defender in the outfield. He can play all three positions but profiles best in left given below-average arm strength.

The Future: Franklin offers lefthanded power and his defensive ability could make him a solid bench piece, platoon bat or fourth outfielder if he’s not able to hit enough for an everyday role.

Scouting Grades Hit: 40 | Power: 55 | Run: 50 | Field: 50 | Arm: 40
BA Grade/Risk: 45/High

Track Record: A third-round pick in 2020 who signed for $500,000, Franklin impressed in his 2021 debut season with the Braves when he led the system with 24 home runs while playing at High-A Rome. Franklin started the 2022 season at Double-A Mississippi but played just 15 games before his season ended with Tommy John surgery. The surgery adds to a reasonable injury history for Franklin, who also missed the 2020 season at Michigan with a broken collarbone.

Scouting Report: Franklin has some of the best raw power in Atlanta's system and in his first pro season he showed a tweaked setup and pull-oriented approach that yielded impressive in-game power. His exit velocity numbers were all solid in his 15-game sample at Double-A, where he hit .236/.333/.400 before his season ended in late April. Contact could prevent Franklin from being an average hitter in the big leagues--he has a 28% minor league strikeout rate-- but his swing decisions are solid, and he doesn't expand the zone at a particularly worrying rate. Franklin has continued to play in all three outfield positions, though he was mostly playing right field in 2022. Scouts believe he's more of a corner outfielder who can play center in a pinch--with left field being most likely thanks to fringy arm strength even before his Tommy John surgery.

The Future: Franklin should be ready early in 2023. He will get another chance to test his bat against upper-level pitching. He profiles as a lefty-hitting platoon power bat and fourth outfielder.

Scouting Grades: Hit: 40. Power: 60. Speed: 50. Fielding: 55. Arm: 40.
Track Record: After two solid seasons at Michigan that included a 2019 trip to the College World Series finals, Franklin didn’t get to play his junior season in 2020 after breaking his collarbone. The Braves still drafted him in the third round and signed him for $497,500. Franklin rewarded their faith in his pro debut at High-A Rome in 2021. He led the Braves system with 24 home runs and finished second with 188 total bases.

Scouting Report: Franklin has shown a contact-oriented, all-fields approach in the past, but the Braves wanted to let him cut loose and see how hard he could drive the ball in his pro debut. The change in approach revealed borderline plus-plus raw power in Franklin’s bat, and he is now the best power prospect in their system. Franklin now projects to hit for plus power in games, but the tradeoff came in his hitting ability. His approach change resulted in more chase swings and an increased strikeout rate, dropping him to a potential fringe-average hitter. Franklin is an instinctive defensive outfielder. He can fill in as a center fielder with his impressive first step and clean routes, but his average speed and fringy arm strength make him a better fit for left field. He is an efficient basestealer despite his average pure speed.

The Future: The Braves want to see Franklin continue to show this sort of power while improving his contact and walk rates. His best-case scenario is an everyday left fielder, although he is more likely to end up a lefty-hitting, platoon power bat.
TRACK RECORD: Franklin was the headliner of Michigan's 2017 recruiting class. He led the team in homers, slugging and RBIs as a freshman and carried the team to the College World Series finals as a sophomore. Franklin didn't play in 2020 due to a broken collarbone, but the Braves still drafted him in the third round and signed him for $497,500.

SCOUTING REPORT: Franklin has a solid all-around game and outstanding baseball instincts. He takes a professional approach at the plate and competes in the box, and Braves officials were happy with how he performed at the alternate training site after signing. He has solid power potential and hit double-digit home runs at Michigan in both of his full seasons. Franklin can play all three outfield positions. He's a slightly above-average runner with an excellent first step and takes good routes to the ball. A fringe-average arm might make him best suited for left field.

THE FUTURE: Franklin projects a solid contributor in the outfield. His pro debut awaits in 2021.

Draft Prospects

The headliner of Michigan’s 2017 recruiting class, Franklin wasted no time putting his mark on the program, leading the team in home runs (10), slugging (.588) and RBI (47) in 2018. His hitting dipped a bit as a sophomore, though he did increase his walk rate significantly, and he does have some track record hitting in the Cape Cod League, though a 2018 stint was more successful than 2019. Franklin’s medical sheet has piled up over the years, as he’s dealt with labrum issues, hamstring issues and didn’t play a game in the shortened 2020 season thanks to a broken collarbone. That leaves Franklin as a bit of an unknown, as scouts like his all-around package of average tools and believed in his work ethic and plus-plus baseball instincts to make the most of them. Franklin has a professional approach at the plate and doesn’t strike out frequently, though some evaluators have noted that a wide stance can cause his swing to get too lengthy, which causes issues timing up fastball velocity. When he’s able to let his hands work, Franklin has above-average power potential. A center fielder for Michigan, Franklin will likely be pushed to a corner outfield spot at the next level. He gets terrific reads and has an electric first step but lacks the dynamic running ability that separates major league center fielders. He should be an above-average defender in a corner. While a short season and injuries have clouded Franklin’s draft status, those who have a history with him believe he’s a high probability major leaguer in some capacity.
A three-sport athlete, Franklin played football and basketball at Seattle Prep--the same school that produced Wake Forest's Stuart Fairchild--and he's committed to Michigan to play baseball. He's raw, particularly as a hitter. Scouts have to be excited by other tools, and Franklin has them, including above-average speed (better in workouts) to go with a physical 6-foot-2, 200-pound frame. He has the physicality and strength to hit for power if he can improve his feel for hitting. Franklin batted .557 this spring, but he faced inferior competition and the swing and miss to his game alarms some scouts. Franklin needs reps at the plate and defensively, where he may fit best in left field.

Scouting Reports

BA Grade/Risk: 45/High

Track Record: A third-round pick in 2020 who signed for $500,000, Franklin impressed in his 2021 debut season with the Braves when he led the system with 24 home runs while playing at High-A Rome. Franklin started the 2022 season at Double-A Mississippi but played just 15 games before his season ended with Tommy John surgery. The surgery adds to a reasonable injury history for Franklin, who also missed the 2020 season at Michigan with a broken collarbone.

Scouting Report: Franklin has some of the best raw power in Atlanta's system and in his first pro season he showed a tweaked setup and pull-oriented approach that yielded impressive in-game power. His exit velocity numbers were all solid in his 15-game sample at Double-A, where he hit .236/.333/.400 before his season ended in late April. Contact could prevent Franklin from being an average hitter in the big leagues--he has a 28% minor league strikeout rate-- but his swing decisions are solid, and he doesn't expand the zone at a particularly worrying rate. Franklin has continued to play in all three outfield positions, though he was mostly playing right field in 2022. Scouts believe he's more of a corner outfielder who can play center in a pinch--with left field being most likely thanks to fringy arm strength even before his Tommy John surgery.

The Future: Franklin should be ready early in 2023. He will get another chance to test his bat against upper-level pitching. He profiles as a lefty-hitting platoon power bat and fourth outfielder.

Scouting Grades: Hit: 40. Power: 60. Speed: 50. Fielding: 55. Arm: 40.
BA Grade/Risk: 45/High

Track Record: A third-round pick in 2020 who signed for $500,000, Franklin impressed in his 2021 debut season with the Braves when he led the system with 24 home runs while playing at High-A Rome. Franklin started the 2022 season at Double-A Mississippi but played just 15 games before his season ended with Tommy John surgery. The surgery adds to a reasonable injury history for Franklin, who also missed the 2020 season at Michigan with a broken collarbone.

Scouting Report: Franklin has some of the best raw power in Atlanta's system and in his first pro season he showed a tweaked setup and pull-oriented approach that yielded impressive in-game power. His exit velocity numbers were all solid in his 15-game sample at Double-A, where he hit .236/.333/.400 before his season ended in late April. Contact could prevent Franklin from being an average hitter in the big leagues--he has a 28% minor league strikeout rate-- but his swing decisions are solid, and he doesn't expand the zone at a particularly worrying rate. Franklin has continued to play in all three outfield positions, though he was mostly playing right field in 2022. Scouts believe he's more of a corner outfielder who can play center in a pinch--with left field being most likely thanks to fringy arm strength even before his Tommy John surgery.

The Future: Franklin should be ready early in 2023. He will get another chance to test his bat against upper-level pitching. He profiles as a lefty-hitting platoon power bat and fourth outfielder.

Scouting Grades: Hit: 40. Power: 60. Speed: 50. Fielding: 55. Arm: 40.
BA Grade: 45/Medium

Track Record: After two solid seasons at Michigan that included a 2019 trip to the College World Series, Franklin didn&#39t get to play as a junior in 2020 thanks to a broken collarbone. The Braves still drafted him in the third round and he paid off that faith with an excellent 2021 debut.

Scouting Report: Franklin started the season slow, hitting just .200/.228/.253 in 19 games during May at High-A Rome. The Braves got him a bit more upright and let him adopt a more power and pull-oriented approach, which yielded a .256/.343/.593 line with 24 home runs and 20 doubles from June through the end of the season. Franklin had shown a professional, contact-oriented, all-fields approach in the past, but Atlanta wanted to let him cut loose and see how hard he could drive the ball this year. Turns out he can drive the ball quite far, and is now the best power hitting prospect in the system, with 65-grade raw power. That power-oriented approach resulted in more chases and a 28.3% strikeout rate, but Franklin also posted the 13th-best isolated slugging among qualified minor leaguers 22 or younger and led the Braves system in homers. Franklin is an instinctual defender who can fill in as a center fielder if necessary thanks to an impressive first step and route running, but his pure speed and arm strength make him a better fit for left. Despite being an average or a tick better runner, he steals bases with efficiency (19-for-23, 82.6%).

The Future: The Braves want to see Franklin continue showing this sort of power, while improving his contact and walk rates at the next level. His best case scenario is as an everyday left fielder, but his most likely future role is a lefty-hitting platoon power bat.

Tool Grades: Hit: 45. Power: 60. Speed: 50. Fielding: 55. Arm: 45.
Track Record: After two solid seasons at Michigan that included a 2019 trip to the College World Series finals, Franklin didn’t get to play his junior season in 2020 after breaking his collarbone. The Braves still drafted him in the third round and signed him for $497,500. Franklin rewarded their faith in his pro debut at High-A Rome in 2021. He led the Braves system with 24 home runs and finished second with 188 total bases.

Scouting Report: Franklin has shown a contact-oriented, all-fields approach in the past, but the Braves wanted to let him cut loose and see how hard he could drive the ball in his pro debut. The change in approach revealed borderline plus-plus raw power in Franklin’s bat, and he is now the best power prospect in their system. Franklin now projects to hit for plus power in games, but the tradeoff came in his hitting ability. His approach change resulted in more chase swings and an increased strikeout rate, dropping him to a potential fringe-average hitter. Franklin is an instinctive defensive outfielder. He can fill in as a center fielder with his impressive first step and clean routes, but his average speed and fringy arm strength make him a better fit for left field. He is an efficient basestealer despite his average pure speed.

The Future: The Braves want to see Franklin continue to show this sort of power while improving his contact and walk rates. His best-case scenario is an everyday left fielder, although he is more likely to end up a lefty-hitting, platoon power bat.
TRACK RECORD: Franklin was the headliner of Michigan's 2017 recruiting class. He led the team in homers, slugging and RBIs as a freshman and carried the team to the College World Series finals as a sophomore. Franklin didn't play in 2020 due to a broken collarbone, but the Braves still drafted him in the third round and signed him for $497,500.

SCOUTING REPORT: Franklin has a solid all-around game and outstanding baseball instincts. He takes a professional approach at the plate and competes in the box, and Braves officials were happy with how he performed at the alternate training site after signing. He has solid power potential and hit double-digit home runs at Michigan in both of his full seasons. Franklin can play all three outfield positions. He's a slightly above-average runner with an excellent first step and takes good routes to the ball. A fringe-average arm might make him best suited for left field.

THE FUTURE: Franklin projects a solid contributor in the outfield. His pro debut awaits in 2021.
TRACK RECORD: Franklin was the headliner of Michigan's 2017 recruiting class. He led the team in homers, slugging and RBIs as a freshman and carried the team to the College World Series finals as a sophomore. Franklin didn't play in 2020 due to a broken collarbone, but the Braves still drafted him in the third round and signed him for $497,500.

SCOUTING REPORT: Franklin has a solid all-around game and outstanding baseball instincts. He takes a professional approach at the plate and competes in the box, and Braves officials were happy with how he performed at the alternate training site after signing. He has solid power potential and hit double-digit home runs at Michigan in both of his full seasons. Franklin can play all three outfield positions. He's a slightly above-average runner with an excellent first step and takes good routes to the ball. A fringe-average arm might make him best suited for left field.

THE FUTURE: Franklin projects a solid contributor in the outfield. His pro debut awaits in 2021.
TRACK RECORD: Franklin was the headliner of Michigan's 2017 recruiting class. He led the team in homers, slugging and RBIs as a freshman and carried the team to the College World Series finals as a sophomore. Franklin didn't play in 2020 due to a broken collarbone, but the Braves still drafted him in the third round and signed him for $497,500.

SCOUTING REPORT: Franklin has a solid all-around game and outstanding baseball instincts. He takes a professional approach at the plate and competes in the box, and Braves officials were happy with how he performed at the alternate training site after signing. He has solid power potential and hit double-digit home runs at Michigan in both of his full seasons. Franklin can play all three outfield positions. He's a slightly above-average runner with an excellent first step and takes good routes to the ball. A fringe-average arm might make him best suited for left field.

THE FUTURE: Franklin projects a solid contributor in the outfield. His pro debut awaits in 2021.