Right-handed pitcher Tanner Franklin, ranked as the No. 11 prospect in the Cardinals’ system by MLB Pipeline, has made a notable impression early in the 2026 season with High-A Peoria, according to an April 20 report.
Franklin’s performance matters because it highlights his rapid development and potential impact within the Cardinals organization after being drafted from the University of Tennessee. Early success at this level can be an indicator of future contributions to higher levels of professional baseball.
After being selected in the second round, 72nd overall, in the 2025 Draft, Franklin quickly demonstrated his abilities by striking out nine batters over six innings across Single-A Palm Beach and High-A Peoria last year. In his first two starts this season, he struck out sixteen of twenty-eight batters faced without allowing an earned run. His strikeout rate stands at nearly fifty percent—leading all pitchers at his level and ranking second across Minor League Baseball.
Franklin’s third start provided a different kind of test as he pitched into the fifth inning for the first time professionally. He allowed four hits and three earned runs but managed to set a personal record with sixty-six pitches thrown during that outing. The Cardinals are carefully managing his workload as they transition him from collegiate reliever to professional starter.
Observers note that Franklin’s fastball consistently reaches high velocities while both his slider and cutter have become effective swing-and-miss options. He has also introduced a changeup against left-handed hitters with positive results so far this year. While continuing to refine his command—a concern that contributed to him being drafted later than expected—his walk rate is now around league average for starting pitchers.
Franklin’s early dominance suggests he could become one of baseball’s most promising starting pitching prospects if these trends continue throughout the season.
