Wander Franco is considered a “prospect not to be missed” and so far he has proven that the experts are correct.
On Tuesday, when the Tampa Bay Rays shortstop went heads-up in the team’s 3-1 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies in the fourth inning, he became the first player under the age of 21 to hit base in 25 consecutive games in 31 years. ESPN statistics and information.
Franco also joined an exclusive company by virtue of his feat. Only Ken Griffith Jr., a member of the Hall of Famers in 1990 and Roberto Alomar in 1988, reached the base in 25 consecutive games, but they have still not been able to drink alcohol legally in the United States since 1961.
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His upper base record is the longest in a major this season and the longest rookie in the team’s 23-year history. This is even more impressive considering his age and the fact that he was only called on June 22.
“Very impressive,” Rays manager Kevin Cash said after Tuesday’s game in Tampa Bay. “At the age of 20, you will be amazed by his talent, his particularity, and the stability he has shown.”
Franco is the latest ray prospect to sweep the majors. He entered this season for the second year in a row and became the best rookie in baseball. After showing five tool talents among minors, fans have been eager to see him in the majors.Franco hit 0.332/.398/.536, hit 27 home runs, 145 RBIs, 48 doubles, 20 three-pointers, 27 stolen bases, 829 hits in 214 minor league games Only 75 strikeouts on the ball
It took Franco about three weeks to figure out the major league pitches, but once he did, he didn’t look back. In the past 25 games, Franco hit 0.309/.380/.526 with 8 doubles, 3 home runs and 19 RBIs.
“When he walked to the plate, he had a lot of confidence that he could lead in the count, and of course fall behind in the count,” Cash said. “And he showed patience. There may be a few games that benefited the walk. [streak]. So he will also have enough selectivity. “
Perhaps more importantly, the Rays led by 32-16 in Franco’s game, and ranked first in the Eastern Conference of the American League, ahead of the second-placed New York Yankees in four games.
The Rays were so sure of Franco’s potential that they traded the team’s daily shortstop Willie Adams since 2019 to make room for him, even though his record was the second best in the American League at the time. The deal sent Adams and pitcher Trevor Richards to the Milwaukee Brewers, not only freeing up a spot for Franco, but also acquiring Tampa Bay pitchers JP Feyereisen and Drew Rasmussen.
Feyeresen scored 4-1 with a 2.42 ERA and 3 saves in 21 games in Tampa Bay. Rasmussen made 15 appearances for the Rays on Tuesday, winning his first victory of the season, scoring four hits and one run in five innings-the longest match in his major league career.
Franco is not just an offensive genius. He played a key defensive game, snatching a shot and possible RBI from Phillies shortstop Didier Gregorius, in two innings in the first game on Tuesday.
Rasmussen said: “Wander played a great game with a backhand deep into the left field. “His arm is very strong, and his pitch is very good… and the effect is very good. “
