Nick Franklin optioned to minors by Seattle Mariners

The 2014 season has been a roller coaster ride for Seattle Mariners infielder (and now, outfielder) Nick Franklin, as he has been pulled back and forth from the minor leagues to Seattle on various occasions. However, his journey isn’t quite done, as the 23-year-old has been optioned back to Tacoma to make room for starting pitcher Erasmo Ramirez.

Franklin was once considered an elite prospect by various services, but he has really struggled while in the Majors, and his latest stint was no exception. After being recalled as an outfield option when veteran Corey Hart hit the disabled list, the switch-hitting Franklin struck out 21 times in just 17 games, and his .128 batting average since the call-up (with a season-long OPS of .362) was apparently deemed unacceptable for a player who was largely recalled for his offensive potential.

When the Mariners inked Robinson Cano to a massive contract in the off-season, the writing was on the wall for either Franklin or the team’s other middle infield prospect, Brad Miller, but Seattle quickly gravitated to Miller and they’ve decided to roll with him despite underwhelming production. That leaves Franklin on the outside looking in, and if he doesn’t hit at a decent level, the Mariners will have no reason to try to force him into duty in the outfield, especially when it would present difficulty at a position that he is unfamiliar with at this level.