Christian Franklin has quickly caught the attention of Washington Nationals fans since being introduced three weeks ago following his trade from the Chicago Cubs, where Washington acquired him and pitcher Jake Eder in exchange for Michael Soroka. Franklin’s well-rounded game and strong baseball IQ suggest this move could become one of the organization’s best recent acquisitions.
Now in his first year at Triple-A, Franklin has played just 12 games for Rochester but has impressed with his performance. At the time of the trade from Double-A Iowa, he posted solid batting metrics, including a .265 average, .393 on-base percentage, and .820 OPS. Throughout his minor league career, Franklin has consistently maintained an on-base percentage around 130 points higher than his batting average, with a career average of .264 and an OBP of .397.
After his first game batting sixth in Rochester’s lineup, manager Matt LeCroy quickly moved him to the leadoff spot, recognizing his ability to get on base and his speed. Since then, his numbers have improved further, with a .353 batting average, walks in 14% of his plate appearances, a stellar .463 OBP, and an elite 1.022 OPS. He has scored five runs, driven in 10 RBIs, stolen three bases in 4 attempts, and hit two home runs. Franklin’s success at the plate comes from his excellent use of the whole field and disciplined approach.
Defensively, Franklin’s speed helps him cover a lot of ground in the outfield. Recently, he made an impressive catch at left-center field to secure the final out of a game, making a challenging play look routine. He has also played center field, where his speed and ball-tracking ability stand out, and he possesses an above-average throwing arm with good accuracy, allowing him to handle all three outfield positions.
It would be wise for Washington to keep Franklin in Rochester for the rest of August. He could make a strong case for a September call-up if the Nationals include him in their outfield plans. Having observed prospects like Wood, Hassell, Lile, Crews, and Young in Rochester, Franklin would fit well with that group. Additionally, sending Jacob Young, who has limited Triple-A experience, to Rochester could help further develop his hitting. Washington has little to lose and much to gain by exploring what players like Christian Franklin can offer the organization.