By Kate Patterson
Davis Franklin (‘25), a pitcher for the men’s baseball team, is transferring to Santa Clara University to pursue D1 baseball thanks to his success at Puget Sound. Part of Franklin’s success is owing to his Shohei Ohtani-like skill on the mound and at the plate. Franklin has maintained a career best 2.21 ERA in 2024, while simultaneously raking at the plate with a .398 batting average. We caught up with Franklin to learn about his dreams for the big leagues and his time at Puget Sound.
Q: Tell us about your plans for the fall. How did they come about?
A: So this fall I will be transferring to Santa Clara University to finish up my degree and to play for the baseball team there. The idea to transfer and pursue D1 baseball really came about this past summer. I had a fantastic experience playing in the West Coast League which has a lot of D1 players. It was great to be at that level of competition and I received encouragement from my teammates there to pursue a higher level. After a lot of thought and prayer I entered the transfer portal and Santa Clara was a great option. I am really excited for this next year.
Q: What inspired you to pursue playing baseball at a higher level?
A: Ever since I can remember I have dreamed of playing college baseball and eventually playing professionally. The move to Santa Clara is the next step in trying to achieve those dreams. Baseball has always been a huge part of my life and what I feel called to do, it’s what I want to do for the rest of my life. I’m so thankful for my family who has supported me and my love for baseball since day 1. They are the ones who have made it possible for me to get to this point.
Q: What do you think the relationship is between skill and attitude, in terms of how important each is to the outcome of a season?
A: Attitude is a huge part of what makes a great athlete. Skill is something that can be developed but the degree to which it is developed comes from having a great attitude. We say all the time that there are two things that you can always control: Attitude and effort. In a season there are always going to be ups and downs but being able to maintain a great attitude and put forth maximum effort every day is very important in determining the outcome of a season.
Q: How has your experience at Puget Sound contributed to your growth and to the opportunity to play baseball for Santa Clara University?
A: My experience at Puget Sound has been incredible. The baseball team and the culture that I entered my freshman year was one that was so welcoming and full of love. The guys on the team are people who I’ve grown so close to and that has really helped to aid my development. Having a group of guys who you know want to see you succeed and will push you to be great on and off the field is incredible and I am forever thankful for my time at UPS. While I am so excited to take this next step, there is a lot that I will miss about Puget Sound.
Q: Are there any other thoughts you want to share with the Puget Sound community near the end of your three years here?
A: Yes simply thank you for being a place for me to learn and to grow. I am so thankful for my professors for guiding my academic journey and helping me discover what I am passionate about. Thank you to my friends off the field for always being so caring, I am constantly blown away by your love and support. Thank you to Logger baseball and to my teammates for always being there for me. You truly are my brothers. My three years at Puget Sound have been a fantastic experience and I am forever grateful to the people who made it so. Go Loggers!