Nick Franklin One Game Scouting Report
Player
Nick Franklin (Nicholas Edward)
Position
4
Height
“6’1”
Weight
“195”
Team
Seattle Mariners
Bats
L
Throws
R
First-impression suggested nickname(s)
Li’l, Hercules Godsmash
Date scouted
5/30/2013
Swing
Quiet, from the left side. Quick, with quick wrists; little movement. Surprising pop. Simple swing allows him to wait longer to commit, which should aid both walks and batting average. Capable of turning on an inside pitch and driving it to right or up the middle. Swings as if he has a limit — no swings wasted. Good coverage, can go out of the zone if necessary. Plenty of contact. Makes the ball carry deeper than it looks like it ought to. Most batted balls turn into home runs. Good hand control leads to frequent barreling-up.
Baserunning
Rather joggy
Speed
Didn’t notice, probably fine
Defense
Batted balls don’t get by him if they’re within his range. Good to his right, good to his left, good straight on. A capable turner of double plays; doesn’t stop and watch shortstop partner, no matter how spectacular. Will underhand to first base even if runner’s approaching, implying confidence. Confidence backed by performance.
Weaknesses
Said to switch-hit but didn’t switch-hit — is a liar. Looks funny in a big helmet.
Overall
Likely superstar, probable Hall-of-Famer. “Dustin who?” Lying is a concern, but might also convey confidence, and it’s hard to overlook all of the home runs. Player is a constant dinger threat and can hit the ball out of any ballpark. Doesn’t make defensive mistakes. Mostly hits homers. Could/should be part of dangerous offensive core with Brendan Ryan, Endy Chavez. Shot to be greatest second baseman in baseball history. Shot to be greatest player.
Comp
Prime Jeff Kent, on the moon
Comments
18 Responses to “Nick Franklin One Game Scouting Report”
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My two favorite bits:
“Most batted balls turn into home runs”
“Rather joggy” (running style)
…”Mostly hits homers. Could/should be part of dangerous offensive core with Brendan Ryan, Endy Chavez.”
Bravo, Jeff, bravo (slow clap)
The Great Gazoo!
This is brilliant.
Also – Your writing has a different tone on the few and far between days when watching the Mariners actually makes you happy.
Left out the part where all of this is wasted because sabermetrics gets into his head and screws everything up.
But yeah, otherwise…
Very funny. Makes the season more enjoyable. Thanks for the report.
“doesn’t stop and watch shortstop partner, no matter how spectacular”
That’s why I couldn’t play 2B for the Mariners. Also, I run like Montero.
If he ends up half of Jeff Kent, that would still be considered a successful career.
And he’s funny-looking. That’s got to be worth something. The Wolverine facial hair, the HUGE hunk o’ chaw, the weirdly huge helmet, the tiny body…He’s like a cartoon. Only one which makes us laugh with delight, not moan with despair.
I love this post. Anything that can make a suffering M’s fan laugh is great, so thanks. I guess winning will always put us in a good mood, right?
These are the types of Jeff Sullivan posts that I’ve been missing this whole season.
“Lying is a concern”, my half-assed butt. Spoken like a old-fashioned scout with peaches in his ears. Every sabremetric hoohah knows that lying is good for you, and twice on Sundays.
The final comp had me dying. Jeff Kent, on the moon! Lol
Brilliant. My favorite line that no one has mentioned yet was “Most batted balls turn into home runs.”
The kid’s already got a big head from the look of his helmet. He has to be concussion proof.
This is amazing.
If anyone has played Mass Effect, re-read the post with Mordin’s voice in your head, and it’s even more awesomer.
Is it too early to come up with a nickname for Franklin? ‘Lil Hercules Godsmash is nice, but I think ‘The Flea’ fits him the best. He kins of looks like a flea.
I lol’d.
Glad you are around here to add some levity to this blog and season Jeff.