In 2007 and 2008, Franklin played for the USA Baseball Youth National Team, which played in Canada and Venezuela. Franklin attended Lake Brantley High School. He took two months off of baseball after his junior season to weight train. On April 16, 2009 Orlando Sentinel named Franklin the "Boy Athlete of the Week". Franklin was named the "Orlando Sentinel Baseball Player of the Year" in 2009 after he batted.538 with 11 home runs. During his time in high school, a professional baseball scout compared Franklin's skills to that of a "switch-hitting Michael Young".
Professional career
Minors
Franklin was drafted by the Seattle Mariners in the first round of the 2009 Major League Baseball Draft. Before being drafted, Franklin committed to play baseball at Auburn University. On August 16, 2009, the Mariners signed Franklin to a contract with a $1.28 million signing bonus. Franklin began his professional career in 2009, splitting the season between the rookie-league AZL Mariners of the Arizona League, and the Class-A Short-Season Everett AquaSox of the Northwest League. In the Arizona league, Franklin batted.302 with six runs, 13 hits, two doubles, one home run, and four runs batted in in 10 games. With the AquaSox, Franklin batted.400 with four runs, eight hits, two doubles, one triple, and two RBIs in six games. Before the 2010 season, Baseball America named Franklin the seventh-best prospect in the Mariners' organization. Franklin began the 2010 season with the Class-A Clinton LumberKings of the Midwest League. On April 11, Franklin hit two home runs in the same game. Also in that game, Franklin was a single shy of hitting for the cycle. With the LumberKings that year, Franklin has batted.281 with 89 runs, 144 hits, 22 doubles, seven triples, 23 home runs, 65 RBIs, and 25 stolen bases. He also played one game with the Double-A West Tenn Diamond Jaxx in 2010, getting two hits in three at-bats. His 2010 season with the LumberKings features prominently in the book Class A: Baseball in the Middle of Everywhere, by Lucas Mann. At the end of the season, Baseball American named him as the sixth best prospect in the Midwest League.
Seattle Mariners
Franklin made his major league debut for the Seattle Mariners on May 27, 2013. He recorded his first career hit on May 29, 2013. On May 30, 2013, Franklin hit his first two career home runs. He set a club record, being the quickest player to have a two-homer game in just his fourth game. The previous record was held by former Mariner Jose Cruz Jr. who had a two-homer game in his sixth game as a rookie in 1997. Franklin hit his first major-league grand slam on July 21, 2013, in the second inning versus Houston Astros pitcher Jordan Lyles.
Franklin was traded to the Los Angeles Angels on June 30, 2017. He elected free agency on November 6, 2017.
Second stint with the Brewers
On February 15, 2018, Franklin signed a minor league contract with the Milwaukee Brewers. Franklin was called up in early May but after two at bats, he missed the entire season with a quad injury. He elected free agency on October 23, 2018.
Pittsburgh Pirates
On February 6, 2019, Franklin signed a minor league deal with the Pirates. He was released on June 28, 2019.
Second stint with the Angels
On July 5, 2019, Franklin signed a minor league deal with the Los Angeles Angels and was assigned to the Triple-ASalt Lake Bees. He became a free agent following the 2019 season.
Scouting report
Jim Street, reporter for MLB.com, calls Franklin a "versatile" player who can play the infield, the outfield, and even pitch. Jonathan Mayo, also of MLB.com, said that Franklin has the potential for power, and also noted that " got wiry strength and decent speed". MLB.com rated Franklin a "solid defender" and his arm strength "average". Seattle Mariners' general managerJack Zduriencik and scouting director Tom McNamara were reportedly impressed by Franklin's dedication to the game of baseball. On January 25, 2011 MLB.com revealed their top 50 best prospects in baseball list, in which Franklin was listed as the 38th best prospect in Major League Baseball. With the Mariners, Franklin was a relative rarity among big league players in using a batting helmet with two ear flaps. Since joining the Rays he has started using a more conventional one-flap helmet.
