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Pitcher Tanner Franklin commits to Tennessee via transfer portal

On3 imageby: Eric Cain07/02/24_Cainer

Tennessee’s first commitment from the transfer portal comes from an East Tennessee product in right-handed pitcher Tanner Franklin.

The Jefferson County native made it official on Tuesday with an announcement on social media. The 6-foot-5, 240-pound pitcher played his first two seasons at Kennesaw State and entered the transfer portal with two years of eligibility remaining on June 17. Franklin is draft eligible next summer in 2025.   

Franklin compiled a 4-1 record with a 5.60 ERA over 21 appearances with one start in 2024. The sophomore completed 27.1 innings pitched with 43 strikeouts and 27 walks, while opponents were hitting .212 against the righty. He also logged five saves in the backend of the bullpen. In 2023 as a true freshman, Franklin owned an 8.18 ERA over 13 appearances with two starts and 11 innings pitched.  

This past spring, he tossed a season-best four innings of one-run baseball over 67 pitches with 11 strikeouts and three walks in a contest at Queens on April 20.  

“I mean, it’s something I’ve dreamed of since I was a kid. It still doesn’t feel real yet, but it’s a pretty cool opportunity to have. I’m so excited,” Franklin told Volquest.

Playing for the Chatham Anglers of the Cape Cod League this summer, top-assistant coach and recruiting coordinator Josh Elander was in attendance this past weekend and the two had a chance to catch up. The pitcher went ahead and committed to the staff on Saturday and projects to be a bullpen arm that could see high-leverage situations.

Franklin will bring a high-velocity arm with a fastball that sits 97-99 miles per hour. He also throws a cutter with a breaking curveball and chose the Vols over in-state foe Vanderbilt. As a senior with the Patriots (Jefferson County) in 2022, the righty won Mr. Tennessee Baseball with 101 strikeouts and an ERA of 0.95.  

The transfer portal opened June 3 and remains open until July 2. Seven players have now entered the transfer portal from Tennessee, a list that includes Matthew Dallas, Wyatt Evans, Daniel Parris, Derek Schaefer, Robin Villeneuve, Bradke Lohry and 2023 third baseman Zane Denton. Tennessee picked up a commitment from Junior College pitcher Thomas Crabtree before heading off to Omaha and Franklin becomes the first commitment out of the transfer portal from the 2024 cycle.