Braves top prospect puts on rare power display in AA blowout

The 24-year-old finished the night 4-of-4 with three long balls, a single, a walk, two stolen bases and four RBI. Franklin has been on a tear over the last two days, going 7-of-8 with a double, four home runs and seven RBI. 

Selected 97th overall in the third round of the 2020 MLB Draft out of Michigan, Franklin made his professional debut with the Single-A Rome Braves in 2021. After an 88-hit season, Franklin jumped to AA in 2022 but had his season cut short by Tommy John surgery. But he's posted a productive minor league season thus far, showing the surgery hasn't slowed him down. 

An outfielder armed with power at the dish, Franklin is ranked as the 13th-best prospect and top outfielder in the Braves system, according to MLB.com. 

"He's seen time in all three outfield spots, but left seems to be the best spot if he were to settle into one outfield position as an everyday player," MLB.com's scouting report reads. "More than anything, he needs a full season of reps to show whether he can be a power-hitting run producer at the upper levels." 

Seeing action in 35 games, Franklin is second on the Braves in home runs (nine) and fifth in RBI (22), slashing .243/.308/.500 with 10 walks and five stolen bases. While Franklin has played sparingly this season, he has more than held his own and projects to one day occupy the outfield in Atlanta.