Pepperdine-bound senior pitcher Trevor Franklin continues to dominate following record-breaking season
Toeing the rubber on the mound at Mater Dei High School, Trevor Franklin knew his job was not an easy one. The Mira Costa pitcher had been in pressure-filled situations before, but nothing quite like this.
With an opposing runner on first base and no outs, the ace of the Mustang staff was asked o\to come into the game and preserve a slim 2-1 lead against the sixth-ranked team in the nation.
A groundout and two popouts later, Franklin and his teammates were on the field celebrating their victory over JSerra Catholic that gave Mira Costa the Southern Division championship of the prestigious Boras Classic.
“We had a chip on our shoulder and wanted to prove that we belonged in the tournament,” Franklin said. “We have close-knit team with a great group of guys. It was exciting to see how all our hard work has paid off.”
The win, which Mira Costa head coach Cassidy Olson considers the biggest ever for his baseball program, was another feather in the cap for Franklin during an illustrious high school career.
Franklin went on to pick up the win in a 7-4 victory over Northern champion Davis in the championship of the Boras Classic held May 7 at UC Berkeley.
The 6-foot-3, 215-pound right hander led Mira Costa to a share of the Bay League championship in 2015 setting a school record for wins with an 11-0 record. He was named Co-Pitcher of the Year in the Bay League finishing the season with a 1.12 ERA and 63 strikeouts with only 12 walks in 68 innings. As a left-handed hitter, he batted .322 with 13 RBI and five doubles.
Rawlings Perfect Game named Franklin to its 2016 California Region Honorable Mention team and 2014 and 2015 Underclass Honorable Mention squads.
This season, Franklin hurled a no hitter at Culver City on March 19. The humble senior spoke more about what the feat meant to his teammates and, in particular, his mother Jan.
“It was amazing going into Culver City and watching (pro prospect) Nolan Martinez pitch,” Franklin said. “With (catcher) Brett Davis behind the plate, it doesn’t get any better. It also helped lift my mom’s spirits. She’s a big Michigan State fan and was feeling low after the Spartans had just lost in the first round of the NCAA playoffs.”
Entering the final game of the regular season against Redondo, Franklin had a 7-1 record and 1.38 ERA.
Although winning the Boras Classic was memorable for Franklin, he said beating Redondo at home for share of Bay League title in 2015 is tops on his list.
“Redondo was a highly-touted team and we needed to sweep the Sea Hawks in the final two games of the regular season,” Franklin recalled. “The dogpile we had on the field after the win was a tremendous feeling.”
Despite being the ace of the Mustang’s pitching staff for three seasons, Franklin’s rise to stardom did not come easy but his hard work ethic and determination paid off.
“Trevor has meant everything to us,” Olson said. “He has really come on after suffering a rough 2014 when he and five other sophomore really took their lumps. I knew he’d be good, but never dreamed of how drastically he would improve statistically and in a leadership role. He’s also a pretty good hitter whom we use as a designated hitter.”
Franklin feels a large part of his success has come through maturity and the opportunity to work with talented pitching coaches.
“I feel the strength of my game is my competitiveness,” Franklin said. “It’s been fun to represent the South Bay in tournaments and I pride myself every time I take the field. There’s nothing like representing your school and knowing my teammates always have my back.”
Franklin said he wants to have fun and cherish his last two months of high school, hopefully finishing with a CIF championship ring.
“The strength of this team is its unity,” Franklin explained. “Although we are a senior-laden team, we also have three freshmen and three sophomores. The closeness of players of different ages is something I’ve never seen before. It’s an exciting time to be a Mustang and the future is great for Costa baseball.”
“I’m really admiring the young guys, particularly two freshmen. Chase Meidroth was a shortstop but is playing right field. Senior shortstop Will Proctor took him under his wing. And Merrick Baldo showed no fear pitching against JW North in the Boras tournament.”
The friendships among the senior class began prior to high school.
Most were members of the Manhattan Beach Little League Junior All-Star team that went to the World Series in Taylor, Mich. in 2012.
Franklin knows the importance of his role as a team leader and mentoring young players.
“When I was a sophomore, senior Cooper Griffith helped me the most,” Franklin said. “I admired how hard he worked at practice. I’ll forever appreciate his advice and friendship. I also learned a lot from last year’s senior players like Dylan Tyrer, Robert White and Luke McCauley.”
Between academics and athletics, Franklin has little free time but when he does, he enjoys spending it with his fellow Mustangs..
“I’m a social person. There’s nothing like going to the field then hanging out with teammates at their homes,” Franklin said. “We play fantasy sports and get very competitive. It’s fun getting together with the guys for each draft.”
One player Franklin likes to draft is his favorite pro baseball player — San Diego Padre pitcher James Shields.
“San Diego is a tough team to root for,” Franklin said. “Shields is known as Big Game James. I like the way he competes on every pitch. Each season he’ll have 200-plus strikeouts in 200-plus innings.”
Franklin began his baseball career when he was six years old playing in Manhattan Beach Little League. His father, Paul, later coached Trevor and other players in the community on the Manhattan Beach Heaters team.
Franklin also played Manhattan Beach Youth Basketball until 6th grade and competed in flag football before turning his focus to baseball. The decision was not a surprise having been a part of a baseball-loving family.
Trevor’s brother Ryan played for Mira Costa and is a senior first baseman at the University of Redlands.
“We had the usual sibling rivalry,” Trevor said. “We used spend hours playing Whiffle ball in the backyard. I can’t remember many times beating him.”
Mother Jan is Vice President and in charge of fundraising for Mira Costa’s Baseball Booster Club and Trevor will following in his dad’s footsteps as a member of Pepperdine’s baseball team.
Paul was a pitcher for the Waves from 1979 to 1981 and was a member of the Pepperdine baseball team which won 53 games and placed third at the College World Series in 1979.
Trevor will be joined at Pepperdine by Mustang teammate centerfielder Reese Alexiades.
When Franklin first committed to Pepperdine, Steve Rodriguez was the head coach and Don Strauss the Wave’s pitching coach but both left and went to Baylor. However, It didn’t sway his decision to attend the school where he attends to major in “something sports related, possibly sports administration.” His favorite high school subjects have been math and US history.
“I’m very impressed with new head coach Rick Hirtensteiner and assistant coaches Cooper Fouts and Rolando Garza,” Franklin said of the new regime at Pepperdine “I love the baseball program and the academics. Plus, the campus in Malibu can’t be beat.”
Hirtensteiner assessed his new recruits on the team’s website.
“Trevor Franklin is a tall right-handed pitcher who pounds the zone with low strikes,” Hirtensteiner said. “I love his ability to attack the hitter with quality pitches and force contact early during at-bats. Trevor has been very successful at the high school level and I expect him to continue his success when he arrives on the Pepperdine campus.”
Olson believes Franklin has a future as a top collegiate pitcher.
“He’s not overpowering and his fastball does not have great velocity but he has great determination and competitive attitude,” Olson said. “During my 15 years with the Mira Costa baseball program, statistically he has been the best during that time span. One scout told me he’s a high school coach’s dream — having three pitches he can consistently throw for strikes.”
Franklin said he feels lucky to have had a number of good coaches to help with his constant improvement on the mound.
“I love playing for Cassidy Olson,” Franklin said. “Like any coach or boss in life, there are times when you disagree but I believe Cass wants the best for all his players. I’ve had my ups and downs in my career but he has always stood by me. I have nothing but great things to say about him. He’s a winner.”
Franklin also gives credit to Redondo Beach resident Mike Garciaparra who, along with his father Ramon found the Garciaparra Baseball Group (GBG).
Mike and his brother, Nomar, were first-round selections in the Major League Baseball draft. Along with coaching with GBG, Mike is the Southern California area scout for the St,. Louis Cardinals and an instructor with USA Baseball.
Other Mira Costa players involved with GBG are Reese Alexiades, Zack Chan, Brett Davis, Blake Hammerstein and Will Proctor.
“Mike has had a profound impact on me and someone I consider a second father figure,” Franklin said. “The Manhattan Beach baseball community owes a lot to the Garciaparra family. Playing for GBG has given the opportunity to make great memories and acquaintances across the country.”
Franklin has also been influenced by Kelly Nicholson, former coach at Loyola Marymount University and current manager for the Orleans Firebirds of the Cape Cod League.
Above all, Franklin gives kudos to his parents.
“My parents instilled the importance of good grades and taught me that I will be defined by my actions on and off the field,” Franklin explained. ”I thank them for their fantastic ideals of being fair and treating people like you’d want to be treated.”
Franklin said he has no long term goals and is just focusing on getting his college degree. Until the, he is heeding the advice Olson gave his team prior to the Boras Classic.
“He told us that soon our careers will be over but the memories you make will last forever,” Franklin said. “I realize there will be a time when baseball runs out. I just I hope that that day is a long way off.”
