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Ryan Franklin | Relief Pitcher

Team: St Louis Cardinals
Age / DOB:  (40) / 3/5/1973
Ht / Wt:  6'3' / 190
Bats / Throws: Right / Right
College: Seminole (OK) JC
Contract: view contract details
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Recent News

Ryan Franklin has retired from baseball and accepted a scouting position with the Cardinals.
The 38-year-old right-hander was released in late June following an implosion as closer early in the year and then weeks of limited used out of the bullpen. He finishes his 12-year career with a 4.14 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 84 saves while playing for the Mariners, Phillies, Reds and Cardinals. Wed, Dec 7, 2011 11:17:00 PM
Source: St. Louis Post-Dispatch

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Player News

Date:
Ryan Franklin - R - Cardinals

Ryan Franklin acknowledged Sunday that he is leaning toward retiring from professional baseball.

Franklin didn't bother seeking out another organization after the Cardinals released him in late June and doesn't sound any more interested in returning to the playing field here in October. "I know if it started tomorrow I'd be leaning toward staying around the house," said the 38-year-old right-hander. "It was pretty neat to be able to take my kids on their first day of school. My wife thought so, too."
Source: St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Mon, Oct 24, 2011 08:56:00 AM
Ryan Franklin - R - Cardinals

Cardinals released RHP Ryan Franklin.

Franklin began the season firmly entrenched as St. Louis' closer, but he blew a save on Opening Day and it's been all downhill since. The 38-year-old right-hander allowed nine home runs and 44 total hits in just 27 2/3 innings this season. He could decide to simply retire.
Wed, Jun 29, 2011 04:39:00 PM
Ryan Franklin - R - Cardinals

Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch writes that the Cardinals "may be closer to a decision" regarding struggling reliever Ryan Franklin.

Franklin gave up two runs on three hits (including a home run) over one-third of an inning on Tuesday night and now has an ugly 8.46 ERA over 27 2/3 innings this season. Cardinals manager Tony La Russa acknowledged considering "creative" alternatives to address the situation, so it's possible he could be placed on the disabled list or designated for assignment. According to Strauss, a decision is expected before the club leaves Thursday for Tampa Bay.
Source: St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Wed, Jun 29, 2011 09:25:00 AM
Ryan Franklin - R - Cardinals

Ryan Franklin got hit hard again on Tuesday, giving up two runs on three hits in only one-third of an inning.

Taking the mound to start the eighth inning with a 6-0 lead, Franklin got the first out on a hard shot to left field before surrendering a home run, a single, and an RBI double. And that was all Cardinals manager Tony La Russa needed to see. Opponents are now hitting 44-for-120 (.367) against Franklin this season, while the struggling reliever carries an 8.46 ERA and 1.84 WHIP. He has now surrendered 11 earned runs on 18 hits in his last six appearances.
Wed, Jun 29, 2011 03:13:00 AM
Ryan Franklin - R - Cardinals

Ryan Franklin thinks he fixed a mechanical flaw in an extended bullpen session Friday.

After watching some video, Franklin discovered that his leg kick was quicker in the past and he thinks slowing it down might have taken away some of his deception. "We're looking at a lot of reasons for what's going on," said Franklin. "There has to be some reason why I get hit like that. There's a reason. My stuff is as good as it's always been. It would be different if that was the case. I know there has got to be a reason." The owner of an 8.17 ERA and 1.86 WHIP this season, Franklin better right the ship in a hurry before he's designated for assignment.
Source: St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Sun, Jun 19, 2011 12:05:00 PM
Ryan Franklin - R - Cardinals

Ryan Franklin allowed two runs on three hits and a walk in two innings of work on Wednesday evening, taking the loss in St. Louis' 7-5, 11-inning setback against the Giants.

After throwing a perfect 10th, Franklin couldn't get it together in the 11th. The loss was his fourth in just 16 appearances, while his ERA and WHIP now rest at 7.52 and 1.72, respectively. In his semi-defense, Franklin did turn in a two-inning appearance on Tuesday, and had posted 4 2/3 scoreless innings coming into this evening. Be that as it may, the Cardinals are now 4-12 in games in which he has pitched this season.
Thu, Jun 2, 2011 12:36:00 AM
Ryan Franklin - R - Cardinals

Ryan Franklin picked up his first win since July 30, 2010, as he struck out the side in the eighth inning of the Cardinals' comeback win Tuesday.

His stuff has looked better of late, as he's now unscored upon over his last 4 2/3 innings. But, we can't overlook that 7.36 ERA and 1.69 WHIP yet. Franklin still has a ways to go to earn the Cardinals' and fantasy owners' confidence.
Tue, May 31, 2011 11:09:00 PM
Ryan Franklin - R - Cardinals

Ryan Franklin got lit up for seven hits and four runs in three innings of relief work in St. Louis' 11-4 loss to the Cubs on Wednesday.

When you own an 8.68 ERA and 1.93 WHIP, it's hard to make them worse, but that's exactly what Franklin did this evening, seeing his ERA balloon to 9.49 and WHIP to 2.03. Franklin's ineffectiveness has managed to cross over from absurd to just plain sad, and it's hard to believe we aren't witnessing the end of a career.
Thu, May 12, 2011 12:09:00 AM
Ryan Franklin - R - Cardinals

Cardinals GM John Mozeliak would like to see Ryan Franklin eventually get back into the mix of the team's closer by committee.

"It's evolved over the last couple weeks," Mozeliak said. "Whoever is available and whoever is hot. Still, we'd like to get Franklin into that mix... We have to make the opportunity available (to him). If you are in the snake-bitten mode the only way to get out of it is pitching." Franklin has been pitching in less stressful situations of late but hasn't really been faring any better. He might eventually get a shot at a stray save here and there down the line, but we don't anticipate it happening anytime soon, and he has almost no shot to be the primary ninth inning guy again.
Source: St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Sat, May 7, 2011 03:34:00 PM
Ryan Franklin - R - Cardinals

Cardinals manager Tony La Russa said Ryan Franklin will work through his problems in long relief for the time being.

"Somebody's got to fill that (long relief) role," La Russa said. "Right now, you're careful with the way you use him. That would be the idea: give him time to get sharper. That's the theory. Then you have to play out the reality of the game and who's available. I make no promises." Franklin lost his closer role on April 17 after his fourth blown save, but he hasn't been any better since then, giving up three runs over his last 2 1/3 innings. If he doesn't right the ship soon, the Cards might create a phantom injury and place him on the DL.
Source: St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Sat, Apr 30, 2011 11:59:00 AM
Ryan Franklin - R - Cardinals

Ryan Franklin allowed two hits and a walk in a 1 1/3-inning relief appearance Saturday.

Franklin has now surrendered seven earned runs in 7 2/3 frames this season. No matter the role and no matter the situation, he has consistently failed to get batters out. Mitchell Boggs' hold on the ninth inning just got a little stronger.
Related: Mitchell Boggs
Sat, Apr 23, 2011 08:04:00 PM
Ryan Franklin - R - Cardinals

Ryan Franklin gave up yet another homer while working two innings in middle relief Wednesday against the Nationals.

Laynce Nix hit the fourth homer off Franklin in 6 2/3 innings of work this season. It was, however, the only run Franklin gave up as he lowered his ERA from 11.57 to 9.45. He'll continue to work in middle relief for now.
Wed, Apr 20, 2011 05:38:00 PM
Ryan Franklin - R - Cardinals

Cardinals manager Tony La Russa indicated Tuesday that there would be a "role change" for Ryan Franklin.

The change might be a temporary one, but La Russa said they will treat him like a hitter who is struggling. In other words, they will look for alternatives while Franklin attempts to right himself. La Russa wouldn't say who would get the ball in a save situation, but Mitchell Boggs is the likely favorite. Jason Motte and Miguel Batista are worth consideration in deeper leagues.
Related: Miguel Batista, Mitchell Boggs, Jason Motte
Source: B.J. Rains on Twitter
Tue, Apr 19, 2011 05:18:00 PM
Ryan Franklin - R - Cardinals

Ryan Franklin blew his fourth save of the season in Sunday's 2-1 loss to the Dodgers, serving up a two-run walkoff homer to Matt Kemp.

Lefty specialist Trever Miller started the ninth inning and promptly gave up a double to Andre Ethier. Manager Tony La Russa then called for the embattled Franklin, who is now 1-of-5 on save chances and sports a 11.57 ERA. At this point, La Russa almost has to give someone else a chance. We expect Mitchell Boggs to get the first chance, with Jason Motte also worth a speculative add. For deep leaguers, 40-year-old Miguel Batista is a consideration.
Related: Miguel Batista, Mitchell Boggs, Jason Motte
Sun, Apr 17, 2011 07:04:00 PM

Depth Charts

Batters
PosRoleName
C1Yadier Molina
2Tony Cruz
1B1Allen Craig
2Matt Adams
2B1Matt Carpenter
2Daniel Descalso
SS1Pete Kozma
2Rafael Furcal
3B1David Freese
2Ty Wigginton
LF1Matt Holliday
CF1Jon Jay
2Shane Robinson
RF1Carlos Beltran
Starting Pitcher
PosRoleName
S1Adam Wainwright
2Jaime Garcia
3Jake Westbrook
4Lance Lynn
5Shelby Miller
6Chris Carpenter
7John Gast
Relief Pitcher
PosRoleName
R1Edward Mujica
2Trevor Rosenthal
3Randy Choate
4Carlos Martinez
5Joe Kelly
6Fernando Salas
7Seth Maness
8Mitchell Boggs
9Jason Motte