by Ben Johnson (@BenJohnsonTUL)6/5/2018 11:19:50 PM
posted in: News | 3,353 views
Baseball
scouts didn’t many chances to see Kohl Franklin in 2018. The Broken Arrow
senor was nursing a fractured foot while his Tiger teammates were making a run
to the Class 6A state tournament.
But was he
worried about his name being called during the Major League Baseball draft? Not
a chance.
“I was
sitting by the pool, and I started getting Snapchats from friends,” Franklin
said of his Tuesday afternoon. “I had a feeling I was the next pick, and sure
enough I got picked.”
Yep, it was
the Chicago Cubs that came calling in the sixth round. The 6-foot-4, 190-pound
right-handed pitcher became the 188th overall pick and the first Oklahoma high
school player off the board in this year’s draft.
“It was the
craziest feeling I’ve ever felt,” Franklin said. “I’ve never been so happy.”
There’s
little doubt he felt joy when he signed with Oklahoma during his senior season,
but Franklin told Skordle he would forego his time in Norman to start his
professional baseball career.”
The reason?
“The money,”
Franklin said, matter-of-factly. “I was never worried about where I was going
to get picked, as long as I got the number I was looking for.”
Franklin’s
slotted signing bonus value is an estimated $245,000.
Franklin,
whose fastball tops out around 93 mph, according to Prep Baseball Report, will
leave Broken Arrow holding fond memories of playing for coach Shannon Dobson
and assistant coach Mack Chambers.
“My
experience was awesome,” said Franklin, who also throws a curveball, changeup
and slider. “Coach Dob was always there to support me, and Coach Mack has
coached me for so long and he taught me m work ethic. I wouldn’t be where I am
without them.”
In the not too distant future, Franklin will find out where he’s headed to begin in the minor leagues for the Cubs. And he already has a few goals in mind.
“To put on weight since I’m still growing,” he said. “Also want to improve my curveball.”
