Jose Franco

Active

Cincinnati Reds · RP

Age 256' 2" · 257 lbsThrows Right

#734 Preseason

FBaseball Overview

This 25-year-old right-hander enters his first full MLB season with limited big-league experience, having posted a 5.40 ERA and 1.92 WHIP across 16.2 innings in early 2026 action. Franco's strikeout rate shows promise at 7.0 K/9, but his elevated ERA and WHIP suggest he's still developing command and consistency at the major-league level. As a young pitcher competing for a rotation or bullpen spot, he carries significant volatility and is best viewed as a speculative deep-league option rather than a reliable fantasy contributor in established leagues. His pedigree as a DSL Mid-Season All-Star indicates he has prospect pedigree, making him one to monitor if Louisville gives him extended playing time and he shows improved control moving forward.

MLB Pitching

Year	Team	G	GS	W	L	SV	ERA	WHIP	K	IP	BB
2026	Cincinnati Reds	10	0	1	0	0	4.43	1.72	15	20.1	16
Career	Totals	10	0	1	0	0	4.43	1.72	15	20.1	16

Source: MLB Stats API · Multi-team seasons show combined totals — click to expand

Minor League Pitching

Year	Team	G	GS	W	L	SV	ERA	WHIP	K	IP	BB
2019	DSL Reds	14	14	3	1	0	2.20	1.12	59	57.1	14
2021	Daytona Tortugas	19	11	2	5	0	6.71	1.56	77	59.0	42
2022	Daytona Tortugas	20	13	1	6	0	4.44	1.49	104	77.0	39
2024	2 teams▼	22	22	2	3	0	3.52	1.15	90	76.2	26
2025	2 teams▼	31	26	10	4	0	3.11	1.26	118	110	54
2026	2 teams▼	17	10	3	5	1	4.30	1.32	55	60.2	34
Career	Totals	123	96	21	24	1	3.94	1.31	503	440.2	209

Source: MLB Stats API · Multi-team seasons show combined totals — click to expand

Last Week / Last Month

Current season · MLB only

7 games

G	GS	IP	W-L	SV	ERA	WHIP	K	BB
7	0	14.2	1-0	0	4.91	1.57	11	11

30 games

G	GS	IP	W-L	SV	ERA	WHIP	K	BB
10	0	20.1	1-0	0	4.43	1.72	15	16

Game Log2026 MLB

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Advanced Stats2026 season · via Baseball Savant

Click for year to year changes

FB Velo95.1 mph

Avg Spin2325 rpm

Whiff %20.6%

K %16.3%

BB %16.3%

Hard Hit %35.0%

Barrel %10.0%

xERA5.23

xBA Against0.236

xSLG Against0.392

BA Against0.250

SLG Against0.461

What These Stats Mean

FB Velo — Average fastball velocity. Harder throwers generate more swings and misses, setting up every other pitch in their arsenal. Velocity is the foundation of strikeout upside.

Avg Spin — Average spin rate across all pitches. Higher spin creates more movement and makes pitches harder to square up — elite spinners run better strikeout and batting average against numbers.

Whiff % — Swings-and-misses per swing. The most direct measure of a pitcher's ability to miss bats and the best leading indicator of strikeout rate.

K % — Strikeout rate per batter faced. The core fantasy pitching stat — high K% means reliable strikeout totals that hold up even in shorter starts.

BB % — Walk rate per batter faced. The primary control metric. High BB% tanks ERA and WHIP and keeps baserunners on constantly. Elite starters typically run below 7%.

Hard Hit % — Percentage of batted balls hit 95 mph or harder against. Low hard-hit% means weak contact, protecting both ERA and the defense behind the pitcher.

Barrel % — Percentage of batted balls barreled against. The most direct home run predictor — low barrel% pitchers rarely give up long balls.

xERA — Expected ERA based on contact quality allowed, removing the effect of sequencing, luck, and defense. Better predictor of future ERA than ERA itself.

xBA Against — Expected batting average opponents should hit based on contact quality. A gap between xBA and actual BA indicates unsustainable luck in either direction.

xSLG Against — Expected slugging allowed based on contact quality. High xSLG against predicts future extra-base damage; low xSLG means the pitcher is genuinely suppressing power.

BA Against — Actual batting average opponents are hitting — a key WHIP component. Check xBA to see if the number is sustainable.

SLG Against — Actual slugging allowed. Captures hits, doubles, triples, and home runs — lower means the pitcher is limiting the power damage he gives up.

GB% — Ground ball rate. High GB% pitchers generate double plays, limit home runs, and keep the ball in the park — great for protecting ERA and WHIP ratios.

FB% — Fly ball rate. High FB% pitchers give up more air contact — dangerous when combined with high exit velocity, less so when contact is soft.

Loading player data...

Year

Team

ERA

WHIP

2026

Cincinnati Reds

4.43

1.72

20.1

Career

Totals

4.43

1.72

20.1

Year

Team

ERA

WHIP

2019

DSL Reds

2.20

1.12

57.1

2021

Daytona Tortugas

6.71

1.56

59.0

2022

Daytona Tortugas

4.44

1.49

104

77.0

2024

2 teams▼

3.52

1.15

76.2

2025

2 teams▼

3.11

1.26

118

110

2026

2 teams▼

4.30

1.32

60.2

Career

Totals

123

3.94

1.31

503

440.2

209

W-L

ERA

WHIP

14.2

1-0

4.91

1.57

W-L

ERA

WHIP

20.1

1-0

4.43

1.72