Kevin Franklin Stats & Scouting Report

Full name Kevin D. Franklin
Born 11/24/1994 in Cerritos, CA
Profile Ht.: 6'1" / Wt.: 220 / Bats: R / Throws: R
School Gahr
Drafted in the 2nd round (67th overall) by the Cincinnati Reds in 2013 (signed for $675,000).

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The 6-foot-2, 220-pound Franklin packs a punch. His righthanded raw power rates as a 60 or 65 on the 20-80 scouting scale, and it translates to games, as he hit .462 with eight home runs in 78 at-bats this spring. His ability to hit for average is more of a question mark. He has improved his set-up, going from a wide-open stance with a heel lift to a slightly open stance and a flat front foot, and he has shown better pitch recognition. He has a muscle-bound swing and will rack up strikeouts, but he does have hitting instincts and aptitude to use the whole field. He'll need to improve against breaking balls. Franklin is rather light on his feet for his size, and he has the athleticism to make occasional standout plays at third base, where his arm is an asset. He has trouble syncing up his upper body, causing his throws to sail at times, and his positioning and reads are questionable. Most scouts think he'll wind up at first base, but whoever drafts him will probably give him at least a shot at the hot corner. He's a well below-average runner, and scouts expect him to get heavier as he matures. Scouts love his makeup and enthusiasm, and a club could draft him around the fifth round and try to buy him out of his commitment to Arizona State.

Top Rankings

With power becoming harder and harder to find, the Reds were willing to pay a premium to land Franklin, one of the better prep power hitters in the 2013 draft. Despite hitting only one home run in his pro debut, Franklin has above-average power potential thanks to strength in his swing. AZL pitchers quickly discovered that he was helpless against fastballs just off the outer half or any breaking ball. Defensively, he moves pretty well for a 220-pounder, but he will have to work hard if he wants to stay at third. His hands are soft on the balls he gets to and his arm has above-average strength, though it lacks accuracy. He had 20 errors in 46 games. In another organization, Franklin most likely would end up at first base, but Joey Votto's presence means that, despite below-average speed, a corner-outfield position is the fallback option. Franklin probably will stay back in extended spring training before heading to Rookie-level Billings in 2014.

The 6-foot-2, 220-pound Franklin packs a punch. His righthanded raw power rates as a 60 or 65 on the 20-80 scouting scale, and it translates to games, as he hit .462 with eight home runs in 78 at-bats this spring. His ability to hit for average is more of a question mark. He has improved his set-up, going from a wide-open stance with a heel lift to a slightly open stance and a flat front foot, and he has shown better pitch recognition. He has a muscle-bound swing and will rack up strikeouts, but he does have hitting instincts and aptitude to use the whole field. He'll need to improve against breaking balls. Franklin is rather light on his feet for his size, and he has the athleticism to make occasional standout plays at third base, where his arm is an asset. He has trouble syncing up his upper body, causing his throws to sail at times, and his positioning and reads are questionable. Most scouts think he'll wind up at first base, but whoever drafts him will probably give him at least a shot at the hot corner. He's a well below-average runner, and scouts expect him to get heavier as he matures. Scouts love his makeup and enthusiasm, and a club could draft him around the fifth round and try to buy him out of his commitment to Arizona State.