Wander Franco: An In-Depth Look at the #1 Prospect in Baseball
Signed by the Tampa Bay Rays out of the Dominican Republic in 2017, Wander Franco comes from a baseball family. His father, Wander Sr. played Minor League ball in the 1990s, while his uncles are well-known Major Leaguers, Erick Aybar and Willy Aybar. His two brothers also had careers in the Minors – and most notably both are also named Wander Franco. It’s a good bet there was some confusion surrounding the three brothers all named Wander
When Wander Franco signed he was considered the top hitter and player in his International class, and so far he’s lived up to that and even more. He was constantly one of the most featuring players on bookies sites such as 10bet and Sports Interaction. We’ve across and read an 10bet review that explained very well how major and popular this brand is – which means that being constantly a betting subject on a site like that, surely means you’re worth something. In 2018 he made his pro debut in the Rookie Advanced Appalachian League and absolutely destroyed the competition – despite being the youngest player in a college-heavy short season league. He won the Appalachian League Player of the Year award and was considered the top prospect in the Appalachian League according to Baseball America at just age of 17. In 2019, he played in his first full season didn’t disappoint one bit. Franco showed scouts and evaluators everything necessary to finish 2019 as the top prospect in the minors, excelling across two levels, in the Low A Midwest League and the High A Florida State League.
Heading into 2020, Wander Franco is the unanimous #1 prospect in baseball according to Baseball America and MLB Pipeline. Let’s take a closer look.
Age: 19 Size: 5’10”, 189 Bats: S Throws: R ETA: 2020
Hitting: Wander Franco is perhaps one of the most amazing and impressive young hitters scouts have ever seen. He rarely strikes out, has an incredible eye, and makes consistently hard contact from both sides of the plate, and spreads the ball to all fields. Scouts project him as a plus-plus hitter that’s capable of having plus to plus-plus power. He’s physically gifted, as you don’t see a lot of teenagers built the way Wander Franco is, and he’s also a plus runner. He was the only player in the minors with 100 games played to have more than 50 walks and less than 40 strikeouts.
Fielding: If there is one knock on Wander Franco it’s that some scouts and evaluators question whether or not he will be a shortstop long term. Both of his brothers are third baseman and he has a plus arm that would allow him to play third base if he’s unable to make it as a shortstop. However, there are those who believe he can and will still make it as a shortstop. At times, due to his strong frame he might look somewhat stiff, and that’s more than likely why some might question his ability to stick at shortstop. From what I’ve seen he’s still very capable of being an above average defender at shortstop thanks to his good hands and strong arm. He moves well enough to play the position at the moment. Either way wherever he plays he has a chance to be an above average or better defender.
2020 and Beyond: Wander Franco might have gotten a nice long look in spring training, but pending the service-time implications of the COVID-19 work stoppage, he will more than likely start the season at AA with a chance to make it to the majors by the end of the season – if the Rays are contending, in whatever division they play in, and he’s playing at the level he’s shown so far as a pro. Franco is an incredibly rare talent that has the mindset and intangibles to succeed wherever he plays. He is an incredible competitor and excellent teammate who wants to win. He has a chance to have a similar impact offensively to that of Vladimir Guerrero Jr. but at a premium position. He should rank as a leader in multiple offensive categories with a chance to win a few MVP’s in his prime. Incredible, generational type talent.
MLB/Baseball America Rankings MLB #1 BA #1
Hit Streak: 12 (4/13-4/26) 18-45 (.400), with 5 doubles, a triple and 3 home runs
Best Game: 4/25/19 vs. Lansing 3-4, with 2 home runs and 3 RBI’s.
Splits: vs. RH: .336/.404/.517 vs. LH: .293/.375/.380 Fielding%: .968
