Springfield, Mo. – The Double‑A Springfield Cardinals are counting on right‑hander Tanner Franklin to help extend their winning streak and secure a spot in the Texas League playoffs. The 6‑foot‑5, 225‑pound pitcher, who can touch 102 miles per hour on his fastball, is scheduled to start the home series against the San Antonio Missions on Aug. 24.
Franklin, a former relief pitcher at Jacksonville State and the University of Tennessee, was drafted in the Compensation Round B of the 2025 MLB draft (72nd overall). After a promotion to Springfield on Aug. 7, he struck out 20 batters in just 15 Double‑A innings, showing the durability needed for a starter. He has already logged 22 starts and 88 innings this season.
Recent performance
On Aug. 20, Franklin delivered his best Double‑A start to date, working six innings, allowing four hits and two runs while fanning eight batters in Little Rock. The outing came a day after his former college teammate, left‑hander Liam Doyle, posted a similar line for Springfield, underscoring the competitive spirit of the pitching staff.
Both Franklin and Doyle are listed among the Cardinals’ top five minor‑league prospects by MLB Pipeline. Doyle described their relationship as “uber‑competitive,” noting that they push each other to improve both on the mound and off it. “We’re both very aggressive and want to win,” Doyle said.
Pitching arsenal
Beyond his triple‑digit fastball, Franklin has added a sinker, curveball and sweeper to his repertoire. He said he rarely threw a breaking ball in college, relying mainly on a fastball and cutter. “If you had told me two years ago I’d be starting in the minors, I would have said you’re crazy,” he recalled.
Franklin’s bench coach, Danny Black, praised his competitive mindset, likening him to “the kid who plays good old country hardball.” Black said Franklin attacks hitters with confidence, calling him “a bulldog up there on the mountain.”
Local ties and outlook
A native of Jefferson City, Tennessee, Franklin enjoys the outdoors and has visited the nearby Bass Pro Shops almost daily since arriving in Springfield. He emphasized the mental shift required from bullpen work to starting, noting the need for pre‑game focus and stamina to go six or seven innings.
When asked about the team’s goals, Franklin said, “I absolutely want to go to the playoffs. I love playoff baseball and I’m ready to compete.” The Cardinals currently lead the Texas League North first‑half champion Tulsa by four games and sit eight games ahead of third‑place Wichita, with 18 games remaining.
Upcoming schedule
The Cardinals will host the San Antonio Missions for a six‑game series beginning Aug. 23, with games slated for 6:35 p.m. on weekdays and a 7:05 p.m. contest on Aug. 28. The series offers Franklin another chance to showcase his fastball and help the club clinch a postseason berth.
Original reporting: Springfield Daily Citizen — read the source article.
