Nick Franklin
USABiography of Nick Franklin
Nick Franklin is an American professional baseball player who plays as a shortstop for the Seattle Mariners in Major League Baseball (MLB). He was drafted in the first round with the 27th overall pick in the 2009 MLB Draft. Franklin is a switch-hitter, but primarily uses his right hand.
Early Life and Education
Nickolas "Nick" Franklin was born on March 2, 1991, in Longwood, Florida. He attended Lake Brantley High School, where he earned numerous awards and honors, including being named the "Player of the Year" by the Orlando Sentinel in 2009. As an amateur player, Franklin represented the USA Baseball Youth National Team in 2007 and 2008, competing in Canada and Venezuela. After his junior season, he took a two-month break from the game to focus on functional strength training.
Professional Career
Franklin was highly regarded by scouts during his high school years and was compared to standout baseball player Michael Young. He was drafted in the first round of the 2009 MLB Draft and signed a contract worth $1.28 million with the Seattle Mariners on August 16, 2009. He then joined the Mariners' minor league affiliates, playing for the AZL Mariners and Everett AquaSox. In his debut season, Franklin showcased his skills, recording impressive batting averages and contributing to his teams' success.
In the 2010 season, Franklin started with the Clinton LumberKings in Clinton, Iowa. He made a strong impact by hitting two home runs on April 11. Throughout the season, Franklin displayed his versatility by playing both in the infield and outfield positions, even pitching in some games. He also played for the Tenn Diamond Jaxx that year. His performance caught the attention of MLB.com reporters, who praised his potential for power and noted his endurance and decent speed.
Franklin's talents were recognized by Baseball America, which ranked him as the seventh most promising player in the Seattle Mariners organization before the start of the 2010 season. In January 2011, MLB.com listed Franklin as the 38th most promising player in their Top 50 Prospects list.
Off the Field
In addition to his dedication on the field, Franklin follows a strict diet and exercise routine. He starts his mornings with a 1500-calorie breakfast consisting of scrambled eggs and a high-calorie protein shake. By 10:30 am, Franklin consumes another 500-calorie shake, followed by a 1500-calorie lunch at noon. He drinks another 500-calorie shake at 2:00 pm, followed by a 250-calorie shake at 3:00 pm, and then another 500-calorie shake to sustain him until a 1500-calorie dinner. When he doesn't have time to prepare breakfast, Franklin often visits the fast-food restaurant Chick-fil-A, where he is frequently seen devouring chicken sandwiches before team workouts. Alongside his dietary habits, Franklin gradually increases his physical training to enhance his strength, although his primary focus remains on playing as a shortstop.
