Nick Franklin (baseball)
A versatile infielder whose early promise as a top draft pick led to a journeyman MLB career defined by adaptability and a keen eye at the plate.
Born 1991 (age 35)·American baseball player·Birthday: March 2·Millennials
Biography
Nick Franklin arrived in professional baseball carrying the weight of a first-round pedigree, a switch-hitting shortstop with the tools to become a franchise fixture. His ascent was swift; after tearing through the minors, he debuted with the Seattle Mariners in 2013 and immediately showed pop, hitting a grand slam for his first major league hit. Yet, the story of his career became one of constant adjustment. Traded to Tampa Bay, he shifted between second base, shortstop, and the outfield, his bat sometimes struggling to find consistency against big-league pitching. Franklin's value, however, lay in his defensive flexibility and his disciplined approach, which often translated to a solid on-base percentage. His journey took him through four more organizations, a testament to the demand for a smart, versatile player who could fill gaps across the diamond. While he never became the perennial All-Star some projected, he carved out a solid seven-year major league tenure through sheer baseball intellect and utility.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Nick was born in 1991, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Nick Was Born
The biggest hits of 1991
#1 Movie
Terminator 2: Judgment Day
Best Picture
The Silence of the Lambs
#1 TV Show
Cheers
Nick's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1991Born
Soviet Union dissolves; World Wide Web goes public
Gas: $1.14/galHome: $82,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"(Everything I Do) I Do It for You" — Bryan AdamsBest Picture: The Silence of the Lambs
1996Started school
Dolly the sheep cloned
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $99,700Min wage: $4.75/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Macarena" — Los del RioBest Picture: The English Patient
2004Became a teenager
Indian Ocean tsunami kills over 230,000
Gas: $1.88/galHome: $157,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Yeah!" — UsherBest Picture: Million Dollar Baby
2007Could drive
iPhone released; Great Recession begins
Gas: $2.80/galHome: $172,600Min wage: $5.85/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Irreplaceable" — BeyonceBest Picture: No Country for Old Men
2009Could vote
Michael Jackson dies; Bitcoin created
Gas: $2.35/galHome: $148,500Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Boom Boom Pow" — The Black Eyed PeasBest Picture: The Hurt Locker
2012Turned 21
Curiosity rover lands on Mars; Sandy Hook shooting
Gas: $3.64/galHome: $143,200Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Somebody That I Used to Know" — GotyeBest Picture: Argo
2021Turned 30
January 6 Capitol breach; COVID vaccines roll out globally
Gas: $3.01/galHome: $298,900Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Levitating" — Dua LipaBest Picture: CODA
2026Age 35 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Hit a grand slam for his first Major League hit with the Seattle Mariners in 2013.
- Was selected in the first round (27th overall) of the 2009 MLB Draft by the Seattle Mariners.
- Played over 350 games across six seasons in Major League Baseball.
- Hit a career-high 11 home runs during the 2014 season split between Seattle and Tampa Bay.
Did You Know?
He was a high school teammate of fellow MLB player Chris Sale at Lake Brantley High School in Florida.
He was traded from the Mariners to the Rays in a three-team deal that involved star pitcher David Price.
In the minors, he was known for posting high walk rates, showcasing his patient hitting approach.
He officially announced his retirement from professional baseball in 2021.
“I just try to put together good at-bats and help the team win any way I can.”
