Baseball Prospectus | | Eyewitness Scouting Report


	Wander Franco Born: 03/01/2001 (Age: 17)
	Bats: Switch	Throws: Right
	Height: 5' 10"	Weight: 189
	Primary Position: SS

Athletic frame, broad shoulders, squarish body. More mature frame than you'd expect at 17.

Evaluator	Jeffrey Paternostro
Report Date	08/15/2018
Dates Seen	8/9, 8/12 (DH)
Affiliate	Princeton Rays (Rookie, Rays)

MLB ETA	Risk Factor	OFP	Video
2021	High	70	No

Tool	Future Grade	Report
Hit	60	Slightly open stance, leg lift with a bit of a dip/hitch with the hands, premium bat speed, can let it eat. Stays back well on off speed, good knowledge of the strike zone, doesn't sell out for power, confident working back up the middle or opposite field. Barrels everything from the left side and bat stays in the zone a long time. Right side is a little rawer. Similar mechanics, but less barrel control, beats balls into the ground. Not uncommon for a young switch hitter, and I'd expect that to improve with more exposure to lefties. 6 might look conservative in 12 months.
Power	60	Plus raw. Ball explodes off the bat, enough loft to get to all of it. Won't be a huge power guy, but 20+ homers at maturity is very possible.
Baserunning/Speed	50	Digs from 4.1-4.3, good second gear, expect him to be an average runner at maturity. Speed plays up in the field.
Glove	50	Not a dynamic shortstop, but gets it done. Smooth around the bag, ranges well into the 5.5 hole.
Arm	55	Above-average arm strength, but accuracy can be scattershot on the move. May get to more balls than the arm can make plays on, but enough arm to stick on the left side of the infield.

Despite not being able to legally buy cigarettes yet, Franco has already established himself as one of the elite prospects in the game. Should probably already be in full-season ball and is less risky than you'd think due to the advanced bat and ability to stick at the 6. Conservatively he's one of the top 25 prospects in the game, and these grades may look low this time next year. Stuff him to all your friends.