The 2023 DRaysBay Community Prospect List is a highly anticipated ranking of the top prospects in the Tampa Bay Rays organization. In this year’s edition, we unveil the No. 29 prospect in the system according to the DRaysBay community. This prospect has shown impressive skills on the mound and has been highly touted by scouts, but does he have what it takes to make it to the big leagues? Keep reading to find out more.
2023 DRaysBay Community Prospect List No. 29
The Tampa Bay Rays have one of the best farm systems in baseball, and there is a lot of excitement surrounding their prospects. The 2023 DRaysBay Community Prospect List No. 29 features a young player with a lot of potential.
Austin Franklin, RHP
Austin Franklin is a 21-year-old right-handed pitcher who was drafted by the Rays in the third round of the 2021 MLB Draft. He spent his first professional season at Low-A Charleston, where he posted a 3.21 ERA over 33.2 innings.
Franklin has a fastball that tops out at 96 mph and a slider that has good movement. He has a good feel for his changeup, and all of his pitches appear to be improving. Franklin is a strike-thrower who does a good job of keeping the ball down in the zone.
Scouting Report
Franklin’s fastball is his best pitch. It has good velocity and late movement, making it tough for hitters to barrel up. His slider is also a plus-pitch, with sharp break and good command. His changeup is still a work-in-progress, but it has the potential to be an average pitch.
Franklin is an athletic pitcher who repeats his mechanics well. He strides towards the plate with good posture and balance. Franklin has a quick arm, with a high three-quarters slot, which allows him to keep his fastball down in the zone.
He has a good understanding of how to sequence his pitches and how to attack hitters. He likes to work inside with his fastball, which helps him set up his slider away.
Franklin’s command is impressive, especially for a pitcher his age. He throws strikes consistently and rarely walks batters. His control, combined with his ability to keep the ball down in the zone, could make him a valuable back-end starter or successful reliever at the next level.
Potential
Franklin has the potential to be a solid starting pitcher in the major leagues. His fastball/slider combination gives him a chance to miss bats, and he has the command and control to limit walks and home runs.
His changeup is still a work-in-progress, but if he can improve it, it would give him another weapon and make him more effective against left-handed hitters. Franklin’s athleticism and advanced pitchability give him a realistic chance to pitch in the majors, but his upside will ultimately depend on how his stuff and command develop.
Conclusion
Austin Franklin is a young pitcher with a lot of potential. He has the stuff, command, and athleticism to succeed at the major league level. His fastball and slider are already effective pitches, and if he can continue to refine his changeup, he could become a solid starting pitcher. The Rays have a lot of talented pitching prospects, and Franklin has the potential to be one of the best.
