Chicago Cubs Prospects: Mid-Season Top 30 Chicago Cubs Prospects (#30-21)
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Number 25
Kohl Franklin RHP
Age: 23 Years Old
Level: AA Tennessee Smokies
Joined the organization via: 6th Round Pick in 2018 MLB Draft
2023 Stats: 65.2 IP 4.66 ERA 71/33 K/BB
Franklin is a similar player to Hodge in my opinion. That being said, unlike Hodge, Franklin hasn’t pitched in a game that he didn’t start since 2018 in Rookie ball as an 18-year-old in his draft season.
That’s the difference between Franklin and Hodge and why Franklin appears higher on this list than Hodge: the Cubs still believe in Franklin as a starting pitching prospect and that is always going to be more valuable than a reliever. If Franklin continues to struggle with the walks the Cubs may change their minds and try to make a move, but for now, he’s impressed them enough to warrant a promotion this season and could be in Chicago by the end of the 2024 season.