Cardinals Prospect Tanner Franklin Completed Successful Season
The 22-year-old pitcher recorded 133 strikeouts across High-A and Double-A levels during the 2026 season.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Baseball
Live Poll
Do you trust your local team's current development of prospects to build a winning future?
St. Louis Cardinals prospect Tanner Franklin finished his 2026 campaign with a 3.94 ERA across 105 total innings. The organization's No. 6 overall prospect split time between High-A and Double-A Springfield.
Why it matters
Franklin is emerging as a key young arm for the Cardinals after being selected in the second round of the 2025 draft. His performance across 25 starts highlights his development potential as a starting pitcher.
Franklin recorded a 133-to-45 strikeout-to-walk ratio over 105 innings with a 13.7 percent swinging-strike rate. His cutter velocity reached a maximum of 97 mph while maintaining a .299 xwOBA throughout the season.
The players
Tanner Franklin
He is the St. Louis Cardinals' No. 6 overall prospect and a 2025 second-round draft pick.
St. Louis Cardinals
This Major League Baseball organization manages a minor league system that includes Franklin.
The details
Measuring 6'5'' and 240 pounds, the 22-year-old right-hander made 19 starts at High-A and six starts at Double-A. His ERA sat at 4.21 during his High-A tenure and improved to 3.34 at the Double-A level in Springfield.
Timeline
Tanner Franklin was selected in the second round of the 2025 draft.
During the 2026 season, Franklin pitched 105 innings for the Cardinals organization.
Franklin is scheduled to participate in 2027 Spring Training workouts.
Season Trajectory
Franklin's inclusion in the Baseball America rankings positions him as a rising figure within the St. Louis farm system. This performance trajectory suggests he could impact the franchise's rotation plans as he prepares for his next minor league progression or potential major league opportunities.
Franklin logged 32 1/3 innings at Double-A and 72 2/3 innings at High-A during 2026. These innings counts and strikeout metrics indicate he is positioned to compete for higher-level roster assignments following his 2027 Spring Training participation.
The takeaway
Franklin's successful 2026 campaign establishes him as a high-potential prospect to watch within the Cardinals' system. Fans should monitor his velocity and strikeout rates during the upcoming Spring Training to gauge his readiness for higher levels.
What happens next
Tanner Franklin is expected to participate in the Cardinals' 2027 Spring Training camp.
Further reading
Learn more about the organization's development program in the Baseball section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Sports Illustrated.
Live Poll
Do you trust your local team's current development of prospects to build a winning future?
