Future Watch: Wander Franco Rookie Baseball Cards, Rays – Wander Franco was signed by the Rays as an international free agent in 2017. They boasted about his speed, his fielding and his zest for the game. Many started to dub him a “can’t-miss prospect” and next star in the big leagues.
In 2018, he played for the Princeton Rays. He hit 10 doubles, seven triples, 11 home runs, and 57 RBI. He stole four bases and hit .351 in rookie ball. He then got a promotion.
In 2019, he started out with the Bowling Green Hot Rods. He hit .318 with six homers, 29 RBI, 16 doubles and five triples. He stole 14 bases as well. A great start for the prospect.
Later in 2019, he advanced to the Florida State League, a league known for producing stars. In his first 165 at-bats, he hit .327 with three home runs and 21 RBI, 11 doubles and one triple. At the age of 18, he’s close to making the jump already. Not many players are this good at this age.
Collectors can find his rookie card in 2019 Topps Chrome.
Here’s a look at his sweet swing and great speed:
According to his MLB.com Draft Profile
Franco’s robust production during his pro debut reflects his high offensive ceiling. He consistently impacts the baseball from both sides of the plate, showing a combination of bat speed, strong wrists/hands and elite bat-to-ball skills that leads some scouts to project him as a plus-plus hitter. He should offer above-average over-the-fence power, too, especially from the left side of the plate, from where he hit all but one of his home runs in 2018. Franco’s approach, much like his physical tools, is advanced beyond his years, and he receives raves for his ability to recognize spin and control the zone. ETA 2021.
This is a player that everybody’s in on already. That happens when you’re the #1 ranked prospect in baseball. Finding his best rookies is now the challenge.
Future Watch: Wander Franco Rookie Baseball Cards, Rays – Stats
Year | Age | AgeDif | Tm | Lg | Lev | Aff | G | PA | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | CS | BB | SO | BA | OBP | SLG | OPS | TB | GDP | HBP | SH | SF | IBB |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2018 | 17 | -3.3 | Princeton | APPY | Rk | TBR | 61 | 273 | 242 | 46 | 85 | 10 | 7 | 11 | 57 | 4 | 3 | 27 | 19 | .351 | .418 | .587 | 1.004 | 142 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 |
2019 | 18 | 2 Teams | 2 Lgs | A-A+ | TBR | 107 | 464 | 398 | 78 | 128 | 27 | 6 | 9 | 50 | 18 | 14 | 53 | 31 | .322 | .394 | .487 | .882 | 194 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 11 | 3 | |
2019 | 18 | -4.3 | Charlotte | FLOR | A+ | TBR | 45 | 192 | 165 | 36 | 54 | 11 | 1 | 3 | 21 | 4 | 5 | 23 | 11 | .327 | .401 | .461 | .862 | 76 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 |
2019 | 18 | -3.2 | Bowling Green | MIDW | A | TBR | 62 | 272 | 233 | 42 | 74 | 16 | 5 | 6 | 29 | 14 | 9 | 30 | 20 | .318 | .390 | .506 | .896 | 118 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 7 | 1 |
All Levels (2 Seasons) | 168 | 737 | 640 | 124 | 213 | 37 | 13 | 20 | 107 | 22 | 17 | 80 | 50 | .333 | .403 | .525 | .928 | 336 | 11 | 4 | 0 | 13 | 4 |
Future Watch: Wander Franco Rookie Baseball Cards, Rays – More Resources
Future Watch: Wander Franco Rookie Baseball Cards, Rays – Image Gallery
For more from Russ Cohen, follow him on Twitter @sportsology.
Russ Cohen is the author of several top-selling sports related books.
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