Jose Franco

Jose Franco has developed into one of the more intriguing power arms in the Reds’ upper-level pitching pipeline, pairing a late-blooming trajectory with a heavy, physical build that allows him to generate easy velocity. Signed out of Venezuela and slowed at times by injuries earlier in his career, he gained momentum with a strong run through Double-A and Triple-A, showing improved durability and the ability to carry his stuff deeper into outings. His 2025 season marked a significant step forward, as he logged over 100 innings with a mid-3.00s ERA while earning a spot on the organization’s 40-man roster, signaling growing confidence in his readiness for a major league look. The foundation of Franco’s arsenal is a fastball that can push toward high nineties, often overwhelming hitters when he establishes it early in counts. The pitch plays up thanks to his size and downhill plane, giving him a true bat-missing weapon even against advanced competition. His slider and changeup remain more inconsistent, flashing usable shapes but lacking the polish needed to consistently neutralize left-handed hitters. Continued progress with secondary differentiation and command will be key, as evaluators see the raw ingredients for more swing-and-miss if he can better sequence off the fastball rather than relying on pure velocity. Projection-wise, Franco sits at an interesting crossroads between starter and high-leverage reliever. The Reds have allowed him to build innings like a rotation piece, but the power profile and current pitch mix could ultimately translate to a late-inning role if refinement stalls. Even so, his resurgence after missing time earlier in his development has reshaped his trajectory, and the strides he made at the upper levels suggest he could push for meaningful big league innings in the near future if his strike throwing continues to trend in the right direction.