Jesse Franklin

The headliner of Michigan’s 2017 recruiting class, Franklin wasted no time putting his mark on the program. He led the team in home runs (10), slugging percentage (.588) and RBI (47) as a freshman and helped carry the Wolverines to the College World Series finals as a sophomore, earning an all-CWS selection. Franklin has performed when healthy, but his medical sheet has piled up over the years. He's dealt with labrum and hamstring issues and missed the entire 2020 season with a broken collarbone. Scouts like Franklin's all-around package of average tools and believe his work ethic and plus-plus baseball instincts will help him make the most of them. Franklin has a professional approach at the plate and doesn’t strike out frequently, though some evaluators have noted a wide stance can cause his swing to get too long, which causes issues timing up fastball velocity. When he’s able to let his hands work, Franklin flashes above-average power potential. A center fielder for Michigan, Franklin will likely be pushed to a corner outfield spot at the next level. He gets terrific reads off the bat and has an electric first step, but lacks the dynamic running ability that separates major league center fielders. He should be an above-average defender in a corner. While injuries have clouded Franklin’s draft status, those who have history with him believe he’s a high probability major leaguer in some capacity.