Tampa Bay Rays: Wander Franco aggressively slotted at Triple-A
By David Hill
Wander Franco is getting closer to making his debut with the Tampa Bay Rays. And that debut may come sooner than anyone expected.
The Rays are set to be aggressive with Franco when the minor league season begins. He is ticketed to begin the season with the Triple-A Durham Bulls, with his arrival in the majors projected to happen sometime this season.
Hearing Wander Franco is headed to Triple-A @DurhamBulls. Top #Rays and overall prospect in game, who turned 20 March 1, finished 2019 season at Class A. Full #Rays minor-league assignments expected to be released Friday
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) April 29, 2021
Tampa Bay Rays being aggressive with Wander Franco
Even though Franco has just 52 games of experience in High-A, one can understand why the Rays are being so aggressive with his placement. The consensus top prospect in baseball for the past two seasons, Franco has posted a .336/.405/.523 batting line over his 768 plate appearances, hitting 20 homers and 37 doubles while stealing 22 bases. Those numbers are even more impressive considering how young he has been compared to the average of each level he has played at.
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This will be the biggest test that Franco has faced. Not only is he a step away from the majors, but he will be facing the most advanced pitching of his career. Triple-A is made up of players who are either a step away from making their major league debuts or are desperately attempting to return. It is a place where some of the top prospects of the game can be chewed up and spat out.
Understandably, there will be a large spotlight placed on the 20 year old. Expectations are sky high despite his youth and relative inexperience. The Rays are certainly hoping that Franco will light Triple-A up as he has done anywhere else he has played.
Should that happen, his debut may not take much longer. Willy Adames, the Rays incumbent shortstop, has not exactly solidified his hold on the position. Adames had produced a .175/.215/.320 batting line in 79 plate appearances heading into Thursday, hitting two homers and three doubles. Should he continue to struggle, and Franco continues to produce at Triple-A, the countdown will be on for the top prospect in baseball to make his debut.
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The Tampa Bay Rays are being aggressive with Wander Franco by slotting him in Triple-A. It may not be long before he makes his major league debut.