After signing contract, Franklin tours Safeco

Aug 17, 2009 (The News Tribune - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- SAF | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating -- For Nick Franklin, this summer has been an odd one. He's practiced baseball, thought about baseball and dreamed of baseball, but he hasn't actually played in any baseball games.

But that will change soon.

Franklin, who was selected with the 27th pick of the first round in this year's amateur draft by the Mariners, signed his contract with the team Saturday and will report to Peoria, Ariz., today.

"This summer was the only summer I've ever had off," he said. "It was a big break for my body and gave me a chance to rest up and be ready for rookie ball."

On Saturday, Franklin worked out with the Mariners before the game with the Yankees and then signed his contract. On Sunday, clad in a dark suit, he met with the local media, watched the game from the stands and received a loud ovation from the sold-out Safeco crowd when he was shown on the center-field scoreboard.

"It's great to be a part of this organization," he said. "There's no better place than Seattle."

Of course, actually returning to Seattle to play will require a long journey for the 18-year-old.

Franklin, a switch-hitting shortstop, led Lake Brantley High School to the 2008 Florida state championship. He hit .538 with 11 homers and was named the Orlando Sentinel's baseball player of the year in the spring.

"He's a confident kid, who just loves to play the game," Mariners scouting director Tom McNamara said. "We are thrilled to have him join the organization and start his journey toward the major leagues."

Franklin grew up idolizing Ken Griffey Jr., but has taken a liking to the Phillies' Chase Utley in recent years.

"He's just a great all-around player," Franklin said.

But Franklin still was pleased about the chance to chat with Griffey in the clubhouse.

"When I did, it was like we were long lost buds," Franklin said. "He treated me like one of the guys."

Top pick remains unsigned

While Franklin was doing the meet and greet Sunday, the Mariners' top pick, outfielder Dustin Ackley, remained unsigned. Seattle has until 9 p.m. today to reach an agreement or it will lose draft rights to Ackley, who would either go back to the University of North Carolina or play independent league baseball.

While general manager Jack Zduriencik has remained tight-lipped about negotiations between the team and Ackley's agent, Scott Boras, a high-ranking Mariners executive did say that the team was trying to get Ackley in for a physical as soon as possible, indicating a deal could be imminent.

Of the Mariners' top 13 draft picks, only Ackley and right-handed pitcher Tyler Blandford (fifth-round) remain unsigned.

Short hops

Michael Saunders was out of the lineup for the second straight day with a sore right shoulder. Saunders tweaked the shoulder a little diving back to first base on Friday night. The Mariners are being careful with the injury since Saunders had offseason surgery on the same shoulder. ... Carlos Silva will throw at least two more bullpen sessions followed by a simulated game. Silva threw a 40-pitch session on Saturday and Wakamatsu hopes the next one will be even more extended. ... Shortstop Jack Wilson, who missed the past four games, participated in running drills on Sunday and Wakamatsu hopes to have him back in the lineup no later than Wednesday, and is hoping for Tuesday.

To see more of The News Tribune, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to
http://www.TheNewsTribune.com. Copyright (c) 2009, The News Tribune, Tacoma,
Wash. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For reprints, email
tmsreprints@permissionsgroup.com, call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax
to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave.,
Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA.

More News:   Market Updates | Stock Alerts | All Trading News | Stock Index