Chicago Cubs Determining Next Steps On Top 30 Pitching Prospect

One of the Chicago Cubs’ top pitching prospects needed a consult from one of the top arm surgeons in baseball on Tuesday.

Chicago Cubs pitching prospect Kohl Franklin went to Arlington, Texas, on Tuesday to visit Dr. Keith Meister, one of the game’s most prominent arm surgeons. He is also the team surgeon for the Texas Rangers.

The visit was reported by the Chicago Tribune. The Cubs are determining next steps for the right-hander.

Franklin made his Triple-A debut on Saturday, as Chicago promoted him from Double-A Tennessee. During the start, he left the game with right forearm discomfort, according to the Des Moines Register. After the game the Iowa Cubs placed the 24-year-old right-hander on the 7-day injured list.

The Broken Bow, Okla., native left the game after two innings in which he gave up no runs and two hits and struck out one.

Before arriving at Iowa, he made one start with Tennessee and threw four scoreless, hitless innings against Rocket City.

Franklin is the No. 28 prospect in the Cubs’ organization, according to MLB.com. His scouting report notes that he has four pitches, has a fastball that can touch 98 miles per hour but has control issues.

Selected in the sixth round of the 2018 MLB Draft, Franklin has steadily worked through the Cubs’ system, though COVID shut down minor league baseball in 2020 and he missed 2021 season after he was derailed by an oblique injury.

When he returned in 2022 he went 3-7 with a 6.88 ERA in 23 starts with South Bend.

Last year, with South Bend and Tennessee, he went 4-10 with a 5.40 ERA. But, he recorded a career-high 116 strikeouts against 50 walks.