Wander Franco

Ranked as the top international prospect eligible to sign in 2017 by Baseball America and MLB.com…is the nephew of former Major League infielders Willy Aybar and Erick Aybar…has two older brothers, both also named Wander…his father, also named Wander, was a professional player in the White Sox system.

2023

Earned his first career All-Star Game selection, setting career highs in nearly all offensive categories, including doubles (23), triples (sux), home runs (17), RBI (58), runs (65) and steals (30)...His 30 SB were tied for third most among AL shortstops behind KC Bobby Witt Jr. (49SB) and BAL Jorge Mateo (32SB)…his 5.5 bWAR ranked third among MLB shortstops (min. 75% of G at SS) behind TEX Corey Seager (6.9) and NYM Francisco Lindor (6.0)...His 17 HR were the second most by a shortstop in Rays history (min. 75% of G at SS), trailing only Willy Adames’ 20 in 2019...His 28 steals were tied with FLA Édgar Rentería (1998) and PHI Jimmy Rollins (2001) for the second most by any player age 22 or younger before the All-Star break in the Wild Card era (since 1995), trailing only Carl Crawford in 2004 (38SB)...Joined Carl Crawford (2006 & 2010) as the only players in Rays history to record 10+ HR and 25+ SB before the All-Star break...Hit safely in 17 straight home games from Sept. 22, 2022–April 9, 2023, marking the sixth-longest home hitting streak in Rays history, including the longest since Wilson Ramos’ 20-game run from April 14–June 12, 2018...On March 30 vs. DET, became the second-youngest player in Rays history to homer on Opening Day at 22 years, 29 days old, trailing only Carl Crawford (21 years, 238 days on March 31, 2003 vs. BOS)…also became the first shortstop in club history to homer on Opening Day...Became the fourth player in club history to record multiple hits in each of the Rays first three games in a season (Quinton McCracken, 1998; John Flaherty, 2000; B.J. Upton, 2007)...Homered in back-to-back games from April 5-7, accomplishing the feat for the first time in his career...On April 12 vs. BOS, recorded a career-high three doubles…the three extra-base hits also set a career high...On April 24 vs. HOU, matched a career-high with four hits (also Sept. 6, 2021 at BOS)...Swiped four bases over three games from May 9-11, his first time recording at least one stolen base in three straight games in his career… turned the trick again from May 24-26 and May 29–June 3...Hit safely in 11 straight games from May 24–June 7, batting .452 (16-for-48) with five doubles…marked the second-longest hitting streak of his career behind a 13-game run from Sept. 14-27, 2022...On Aug. 11 vs. CLE, recorded his first career walk-off plate appearance, a solo homer off Nick Sandlin...On Aug. 14, was placed on the restricted list by mutual agreement between the Rays and Franco...On Aug. 22, was placed on administrative leave through the remainder of the season by mutual agreement between MLB and MLBPA...On Nov. 4, per MLB’s offseason rules, was reinstated to the Rays 40-man roster.

2022

Limited to 83 games (80 starts) due to multiple injuries…was on the injured list from May 31– June 25 (right quadriceps strain) and July 10–Sept. 8 (right wrist discomfort)…underwent surgery on July 12 for a right hook of hamate fracture, performed by Dr. Doug Carlan in St. Petersburg...Struck out in 9.6 pct. (33 of 344) of his plate appearances, third in the Majors behind MIN Luis Arraez (7.1 pct.) and CLE Steven Kwan (9.4 pct.)… struck out in 7.2 pct. (7 of 97) of his plate appearances after returning from his wrist injury Reached base in 18 of his last 19 games of the season, batting .328/.403/.493 (22-for-67) with 6 2B, 1 3B, one HR, seven RBI and nine BB…hit safely in a career-high 13 consecutive games from Sep. 14-27...Reached 100 career hits at 21 years, 49 days old and passed Delmon Young (21.267) as the youngest Rays player to do so...Made the first Opening Day roster of his career… born March 1, 2001, was the youngest player to make a 2022 Opening Day roster...On Opening Day vs. BAL, singled in the first, third and eighth innings and finished 3-for-4…at 21 years, 38 days, became the youngest player in franchise history with three hits (or more) on Opening Day and the youngest in the majors since CHC Starlin Castro (21.008) in 2011 vs. PIT…became the second shortstop in club history to record three hits (or more) on Opening Day, joining Chris Gomez (three) on April 2, 2002 vs. DET...Went 6-for-11 in the season-opening series including three hits on Opening Day and three hits in the series finale…became the third Ray to have a pair of three-hit efforts within the club’s first three games of a season, joining Steve Cox (two) in 2001 and Quinton McCracken (two) in 1998…among players age-21 or younger, was the third in AL history with two three-hit games in his team’s first three games of a season, joining two Hall of Famers in MIL-AL Paul Molitor in 1978 and DET Ty Cobb in 1908...Went 11-for-20 through five games including four multi-hit games and three three-hit games…the 11 hits were the second-most through five games of a season in club history behind Quinton McCracken (12) in 1998…among all Major Leaguers age-21 or younger, the 11 hits tied for second through five games since Baseball Reference data is available (1901) behind CLE Joe Vosmik (12) in 1931...Became the first Rays player with at least five multi-hit efforts within the first eight games of a season since Evan Longoria (five) in 2009...On April 19 at CHC, hit a two-run homer in the third inning, doubled in the fifth and singled in the ninth…at 21 years, 49 days, became the youngest player to homer at Wrigley Field since WSH Juan Soto (20.302) on Aug. 23, 2019 and the youngest AL player since interleague play began in 1997…including postseason, was the second AL player age-21 or younger to homer at Wrigley Field, joining PHI Jimmie Foxx in Games 1-2 of the 1929 World Series…according to Stats LLC, became the 10th-youngest player to homer in his first career game at Wrigley Field… was the youngest to do so since Mel Hall on Sept. 13, 1981 vs. MTL and the youngest visitor since ATL Bob Horner on Aug. 14, 1978...On April 22 vs. BOS, hit solo homers off Michael Wacha in the first and fifth innings for his first career multi-HR game…at 21 years, 53 days, became the youngest player in club history with a multi-HR game, passing Delmon Young (21.245) on May 17, 2007 vs. TEX…was the youngest in Tropicana Field history with a multi-HR game, passing TOR Bo Bichette (21.184) on Sept. 5, 2019… became the third-youngest in major league history with a multi-HR game against the Red Sox, trailing DET Al Kaline (20.185) on June 22, 1955 at Fenway Park and NYY Mickey Mantle (20.296) on Aug. 11, 1952 at Yankee Stadium… was the fifth AL shortstop with a multi-HR game before his 22nd birthday, joining SEA Alex Rodriguez (three), HOU Carlos Correa (three), TOR Bo Bichette (two) and BOS Hal Janvrin (one)...On May 11 at OAK, appeared in the 100th game of his Major League career…his 73 runs were the most in Rays history through 100 games, 119 hits ranked 2nd behind Rocco Baldelli (124) and 27 2B tied for second behind Jorge Cantú (31)...On May 30 at TEX, suffered a right quadriceps strain after rounding first base on a one-out single in the ninth inning and was lifted for a pinch-runner and placed on the 10-day IL the next day...On Sept. 9 at NYY, reinstated from the 10-day IL (right hook of hamate fracture) after missing 51 games…doubled on the first pitch he saw in the first inning and came around to score the game’s first run…hit a two-run double in the fourth and singled in the sixth, tying his season high with three hits...On Sept. 22 vs. TOR, hit a RBI single in the second inning and two-run double in the fourth…the three RBI matched his career high from his Major League debut on June 22, 2021 vs. BOS...On Oct 3 at BOS, homered in the first inning and tripled in the ninth, becoming the first Ray to homer and triple in a game since Joey Wendle on Sept. 11, 2021 at DET…the homer was his first since July 2 at TOR (G1), going 30 games and 106 AB in between…at 21 years, 216 days, was the youngest player in the Majors to homer and triple in a game at Fenway Park since BOS Dwight Evans (20.322) on Sept. 20, 1972 vs. BAL (G2)....Started both games of the AL Wild Card Series at CLE at shortstop and went 1-for-9 with a Game 2 single in the 14th inning.

2021

Twenty-year-old rookie was selected from Triple-A Durham on June 22 and remained in the majors for the rest of the season…missed 12 games in September with right hamstring tightness...Finished third in the AL Rookie of the Year race behind teammate Randy Arozarena and HOU Luis Garcia…received two first-place votes...From July 25–Sept. 29, his 43-game on-base streak tied CIN Frank Robinson in 1956 for the longest in major league history among players age 20 or younger, and passed NYY Mickey Mantle (36) in 1951-52 for the longest in AL history…regardless of age, his streak was third-longest among rookies in AL history behind SEA Alvin Davis (47) in 1984 and NYY Charlie Keller (44) in 1939…had 55 hits and 48 swings-and-misses during the streak...His on-base streak was a Rays rookie record, passing Rocco Baldelli (24) from March 31–April 27, 2003…it was the longest in the modern era (since 1900) for a rookie shortstop, passing CHW Chico Carrasquel (37) in 1950, according to the Elias Sports Bureau…his streak was the longest for a single season in club history and second-longest overall behind Tommy Pham (48) in 2018-19...Hit .314/.372/.500 (69-for-220) with 16 2B, 3 3B, 5 HR and 32 RBI in 55 games (all starts) after the All-Star break…led AL rookies in the 2nd half with 45 runs, 69 hits, 5 3B and a .314 avg...Finished the season with 24 BB and 37 SO, but struck out just three times in his final 97 PA...Became the first major leaguer born in 2001, and thus the first major leaguer born in the 21st century… he was born on March 1, 2001—one month and one day before Albert Pujols made his major league debut; one year, six months and five days before Kevin Cash’s major league debut; and 11 months and two days before Tom Brady’s first Super Bowl win...At 20 years, 113 days, became the 2nd-youngest player in Rays history at the time of his debut behind 19-year-old B.J. Upton in 2004...On June 22 vs. BOS, made his major league debut and went 2-for-4 with 1 2B, 1 HR, 3 RBI and 1 BB…he became the seventh Ray to homer in his major league debut, joining Yoshi Tsutsugo on July 24, 2020, vs. TOR, Willy Adames in 2018, Brandon Guyer in 2011, Elijah Dukes in 2007, Delmon Young in 2006 and Brent Abernathy in 2001…he was the first Ray with a game-tying homer in his major league debut, and his three RBI were a club record for a major league debut...Became the 8th-youngest player since Baseball Reference data is available (1901) to homer in his first career game and the youngest since TEX Jurickson Profar (the only other switch-hitter on the list) at 19 years, 195 days in 2012…the others: CHC Starlin Castro in 2010, FLA Miguel Cabrera in 2003, KC Clint Hurdle in 1977, DET Denny McLain in 1963, CIN Ted Tappe in 1950 and NYG Whitey Lockman in 1945...According to ESPN Stats & Info, was the youngest third baseman in major league history to homer in his major league debut, passing ATL Bob Horner (20.314) on June 16, 1978 vs. PIT...Was the youngest player to make his major league debut batting in the leadoff or No. 2 spot of a starting lineup since ATL Andruw Jones (19.114) on Aug 15, 1996, at PHI, and youngest infielder to do so since SD Roberto Alomar (20.077) on April 22, 1988, vs. HOU…was the youngest to make his major league debut against the Red Sox as an infielder since SEA Alex Rodriguez (18.346) started at shortstop on July 8, 1994...On July 5 vs. CLE, hit a game-tying single in the 9th inning off Emmanuel Clase…it came on a 99.8 mph cutter, the highest velocity to result in a game-tying hit by the Rays in the 9th inning (or later) since Evan Longoria’s RBI single on a 100.2 mph pitch off Justin Verlander on April 11, 2012, at DET (ninth inning)...On Aug. 12 at BOS, hit a go-ahead, two-run homer to end an 11-pitch at-bat in the 6th inning…including postseason, it was the first time the Rays ended an at-bat of 10 pitches (or more) with a homer since Mike Brosseau hit a go-ahead shot in Game 5 of the 2020 ALDS off Aroldis Chapman…at 20 years, 164 days, became the youngest player in club history to homer at Fenway Park, passing Rocco Baldelli (21.357) on Sep 17, 2003…was the youngest in the majors to do so since ATL Ronald Acuña Jr. (20.159) on May 26, 2018 and the youngest infielder since Hall of Famer MIL Robin Yount in 1975...On Sep 6 at BOS, went 4-for-6 and helped the Rays erase a 7-1 deficit in a 11-10 win…at 20 years, 189 days, became the youngest player with a 4-hit game at Fenway Park since Tony Conigliaro (20.101) on April 18, 1965, vs. BAL and the 4th-youngest visiting player all-time, a list that includes NYY Lou Gehrig (20.101) on Sep 28, 1923...Hit .315 (51-for-162) with 11 2B, 6 3B, 7 HR, 35 RBI and 5 SB in 39 games for Durham…at the time of his call up, his 24 XBH tied for 1st in Triple-A East and his 35 RBI tied for 2nd, while he ranked 1st in triples and 2nd in hits.

POSTSEASON: Hit .368 (7-for-19) with two HR and four RBI in four games in his first postseason...Homered in Games 3-4 at BOS to become the youngest player with multiple homers in a single postseason since FLA Miguel Cabrera in 2003...Became the fifth player to homer in back-to-back postseason games at age-20 (or younger), joining BOS Rafael Devers in 2017, FLA Miguel Cabrera in 2003, ATL Andruw Jones in 1996 and NYY Mickey Mantle in 1952...At 20 years, 220 days in Game 1, became the 2nd-youngest player with an RBI in his first postseason game behind BAL Manny Machado (20.091) in the 2012 AL Wild Card Game at TEX…became the youngest player in major league history with multiple hits in his postseason debut...On Nov 27, signed an 11-year contract through the 2032 season, including a club option for 2033…the pact is worth up to $223 million if the club option is exercised and incentives are reached…the contract represents the largest commitment to a player in the history of the franchise and the largest in major league history for a player with less than a year of service time...With 104 days of service time, became the fifth player with less than a year the Rays have signed to a long-term extension, following Brandon Lowe (2019), Chris Archer (2014), Matt Moore (2011) and Evan Longoria (2008).

2020

Was part of the Rays 60-man player pool and spent the summer at the alternate training site in Port Charlotte…was also part of the Rays 40-man player pool for the postseason…shut down after five games for the Leones del Escogido in the Dominican Winter League with shoulder soreness and biceps inflammation…for a second straight year, ranked by Baseball America and MLB. com as the No. 1 overall prospect in the minors following the season…became the fourth player to rank as Baseball America’s top prospect in consecutive years, joining Bryce Harper (2011-12), Joe Mauer (2004-05) and Andruw Jones (1996-97)… the publication also tabbed him as the Best Hitter for Average and Best Strike-Zone Judgment in the organization for a third consecutive year.

2019

Named Minor League Player of the Year by the Rays Baseball Operations department, batting .327/.398/.487 (139-for-425) with 27 2B, 7 3B, 9 HR and 53 RBI in 114 games between Class-A Bowling Green and Class-A Charlotte…led Rays minor leaguers with 82 runs and tied for 1st in hits…named to the Midwest League midseason All-Star Team and earned postseason honors in both the MWL and Florida State League…played in the Futures Game in July at Progressive Field, batting leadoff for the AL team…at the time of his June 25 promotion to Charlotte, ranked among MWL leaders in avg. (.318, 2nd), on-base pct. (.390, 4th), extra-base hits (27, tied for 4th) and slugging pct. (.506, 6th)…from his Stone Crabs debut through season’s end, led the FSL with a .339 avg. and .408 OBP, ranked 2nd with 40 runs and 3rd with a .464 SLG…became the fifth shortstop to earn the No. 1 overall prospect ranking from Baseball America, joining Corey Seager (2016), Jurickson Profar (2013), Alex Rodriguez (1995) and Chipper Jones (1993)…the publication also tabbed him as the Best Batting Prospect, Best Strike-Zone Judgment and Most Exciting Player in the MWL in its Best Tools survey…was the youngest player to land atop MLB. com’s rankings since they began in 2004.

2018

Named the Appalachian League Player of the Year…named Most Valuable Player for Rookie-level Princeton by the Rays Baseball Operations department…named to the Appalachian League postseason All-Star Team after leading the league with 85 hits, 57 RBI (tied) and 142 total bases…tied for 2nd with 28 XBH, ranked 3rd with a .587 SLG and 4th with a .351 avg., which was 2nd among Rays minor leaguers…hit for the cycle on July 14, recorded a 25-game hitting streak from June 23–July 25 and a 53-game on-base streak from June 23–Aug 24…named the Rays Minor League Hitter of the Month for both July and August…named Baseball America’s Breakout Prospect of the Year and to its Minor League All-Star Team…ranked by Baseball America as the No. 4 overall prospect in the minors following the season.