Christian

Franklin

Franklin returns to Baltimore’s outfield mix after missing nearly three weeks with hand inflammation. The 26-year-old rookie has hit just 147 (5-for-34) with two steals in 16 games for the Orioles since being called up back in early August.

Franklin has been sidelined with hand inflammation for just under two weeks, so he may not need a long ramp-up; however, Mountcastle has been out with a fractured foot since April 11th because he also suffered an oblique strain at the end of July. He will be on a far longer return-to-play timeline and may struggle to make it back by the end of the regular season.

Franklin heads to the shelf with the Orioles bringing up Heston Kjerstad in addition to adding Luis Robert Jr. on a waiver claim. The 26-year-old rookie hit .147 (5-for-34) with two steals during a 16-game cameo after being called up last month.

This is a bit of a surprise. The 26-year-old Franklin is hitting .249/.375/.360 in Triple-A with six home runs and 17 steals. Meanwhile, Heston Kjerstad is hitting .276/.309/.431 with eight home runs in 59 games in Triple-A for the Orioles. If he wasn’t going to get an opportunity, you wonder if the Orioles could have found any takers for him at the deadline.

The 26-year-old Franklin had slipped to .249/.375/.360 in Triple-A this year after finishing at .290/.382/.427 at the same level last year. He lacks the power one wants from a left fielder and the glove required to play center regularly, but he wouldn’t embarrass himself as a major league reserve.

Bennett returned from Tommy John to post a 2.27 ERA in 18 starts and one relief appearance in the minors last season, and he was also one of the best pitchers in the AFL, finishing with a 4.50 ERA and a 25/5 K/BB in 20 innings. He might debut in the second half of next season. Franklin, who was acquired from the Cubs for Michael Soroka at the deadline, was also a pretty easy call here. Cornelio is more of a surprise, as neither his stuff nor command seems major league quality, but the Nationals have a lack of starting pitching depth and plenty of flexibility when it came to the 40-man roster. He might get a chance to compete for a spot in spring training.

Franklin has displayed strong plate skills this season at the Triple-A level, slashing .265/.393/.427 with eight homers and 11 steals in 390 plate appearances over 86 games. The 25-year-old outfielder is fairly close to making it to the big leagues at this stage of his development.

Franklin’s six at-bats produced five-hard hit balls ranging from 99.5 mph to 111.2 mph. The Cubs’ 2021 fourth-round pick isn’t really known for his power, but the strength is obviously there, and he’s been a little better at lifting the ball this year, with his groundball rate falling from 60 percent in Double-A last season to 49 percent in Triple-A. He’s currently hitting .255/.393/.394, and with his ability to play all three outfield spots, he’s tracking as a potentially useful fourth outfielder.