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Tanner Franklin inks deal with St. Louis Cardinals

On3 imageby: Eric Cain07/20/25_Cainer
Tennessee pitcher Tanner Franklin MLB Draft
© Jake Crandall/ Montgomery Advertiser / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Tennessee right-handed pitcher Tanner Franklin was selected in the second round of the 2025 Major League Baseball Draft by the St. Louis Cardinals with the No. 72 overall pick a week ago Sunday. On Saturday, the hard-throwing righty made it official, signing his first professional contract.

The Jefferson County native signed at full-slot value for $1,145,900.00. He joins teammate Liam Doyle, who was selected by the organization as well with the fifth overall pick. Doyle has also signed since being drafted, inking for $7.25 million.

Franklin transferred in from Kennesaw State following his first two years of collegiate baseball and played his junior season with the hometown Vols.

He was heavily relied on out of the Tennessee bullpen in 2025, appearing in 27 games with one open while contributing a 4.89 ERA and a 1-2 record across 38.2 innings on the mound. The flamethrower struck out 52 batters and walked just nine, while opponents tallied a .268 batting average against him.

The pitcher was slated as the No. 124 draft prospect per MLB Pipeline and No. 122 by Baseball America ahead of draft weekend.

Tennessee in the 2025 MLB Draft

*Denotes has signed with organization

Round 1 (No. 5 overall) Liam Doyle – Cardinals*
Round 1 (No. 9 overall) Steele Hall (signee) – Reds*
Round 1 (No. 10 overall) Billy Carlson (signee) – White Sox
Round 1 (No. 13 overall) Gavin Kilen – Giants
Round 1 (No. 20 overall) Andrew Fischer – Brewers
Round 1 (No. 25 overall) Kruz Schoolcraft (signee) – Padres
Round 1 (No. 33 overall) Marcus Phillips – Red Sox
Round 2 (No. 52 overall) AJ Russell – Rangers
Round 2 (No. 64 overall) Dean Curley – Guardians
Round 2 (No. 72 overall) Tanner Franklin – Cardinals*
Round 3 (No. 105 overall) Nate Snead – Angels*
Round 5 (No. 149 overall) Matt Barr (JUCO) – Twins
Round 7 (No. 225 overall) Mason Estrada (portal) – Dodgers
Round 14 (No. 430 overall) Clay Edmondson (portal) – Padres
Round 15 (No. 456 overall) DJ Newman (portal) – Astros
Round 17 (No. 522 overall) Cannon Peebles – Guardians
Round 18 (No. 534 overall) Ethan Moore (signee) – Reds
Round 19 (No. 572 overall) Cameron Appenzeller (signee) – Mariners

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