Wander Franco Stats: Height, Weight, Position, & Net Worth

Wander Franco Stats: Height, Weight, Position, & Net Worth

Wander Franco

  • Personal Information:
    • Full Name: Wander Samuel Franco Aybar Sr.
    • Nicknames: El Patron, Patrón
    • Date of Birth: March 1, 2001
    • Age: 22 years
    • Birthplace: Baní, Dominican Republic
    • Parents:
      • Father: Wander Franco Sr.
      • Mother: Nancy Aybar
    • Relationship Status: Married to Rachelly Paulino
    • Children: Two
  • Career Information:
    • Current Team:
      • Tampa Bay Rays (Jersey #5, Position: Shortstop)
    • Position: Shortstop
    • Debut: June 22, 2021
    • Achievements: All-Star in 2023
  • Physical Details:
    • Height: 178 cm (5 feet 10 inches)
    • Weight: 85 kg (189 pounds)
    • Bats: Ambidextrous (Switch hitter)
    • Throws: Right
  • Financial & Contractual Details:
    • Contract:
      • Duration: 11 years (signed on November 23, 2021)
      • Total Value: $182 million
      • Average Annual Value: $16,545,455
    • Net Worth: Approximately $10 million
  • Other Details:
    • Personal History: His father, Wander Franco Sr., played professional baseball in the minor leagues during the 1990s.
    • Social Media Handle: @w_franco_4 on Instagram
    • Relatives: He is the nephew of Erick Aybar and Willy Aybar.

Wander Franco Net Worth

As of 2024, Wander Franco’ net worth is estimated to be around USD 10 million.

Wander Franco, the young and dynamic shortstop for the Tampa Bay Rays, has rapidly ascended in Major League Baseball (MLB) to become one of the sport’s most promising talents. As of 2024, Franco’s net worth is estimated to be around $10 million, reflecting his significant contributions to baseball at such a young age and his growing impact within the sport​​.

  • Net Worth and Financial Achievements:
    • Franco’s financial achievements are underpinned by his historic 11-year contract with the Tampa Bay Rays, valued at $182 million. This contract not only secures his place within the team but also marks him as one of baseball’s highest-earning young stars. In 2024, Franco is expected to earn a base salary of $2 million, with his salary projected to increase significantly in the coming years, reaching up to $25 million per season​​​​.
  • Income Sources:
    • Beyond his substantial MLB contract, Franco’s income is supplemented by endorsement deals, notably with Adidas. While specific details of his endorsement earnings are not disclosed, such partnerships undoubtedly contribute to his net worth and public profile​​​​.
  • Lifestyle and Investments:
    • Franco’s lifestyle, indicative of his success, includes ownership of luxury vehicles, such as a Mercedes-Benz AMG GLE 53, known for its stylish design and performance. Information about his real estate investments or other assets remains private, underscoring his discreet approach to personal wealth management​​​​.
  • Philanthropy:
    • Franco is described as philanthropic, engaging in charity work and supporting various organizations and causes. Despite his charitable involvement, Franco prefers to keep these activities private, choosing not to publicize his contributions to society​​.

Wander Franco’s trajectory in MLB highlights not just his exceptional talent on the field but also his strategic approach to financial planning and community engagement. His contract with the Rays, endorsements, and personal choices reflect a balanced approach to life as a professional athlete, with expectations for his career and net worth only to rise in the future.


Wander Franco Stats

Wander Franco plays as a Shortstop for the Tampa Bay Rays. He bats both sides and throws with his right hand, standing 5-10 and weighing 189lb. Over his career, Franco has illustrated his talent both offensively and defensively, playing various infield positions.

Career Batting Statistics:

  • Games Played: 265
  • At Bats: 1037
  • Runs: 164
  • Hits: 292
  • Doubles: 61
  • Triples: 14
  • Home Runs: 30
  • Runs Batted In: 130
  • Walks: 92
  • Hit By Pitch: 5
  • Strikeouts: 139
  • Stolen Bases: 40
  • Caught Stealing: 11
  • Batting Average: .282
  • On Base Percentage: .340
  • Slugging Percentage: .454
  • On Base Plus Slugging: .795

Postseason Batting Statistics:

  • Games Played: 6
  • At Bats: 28
  • Runs: 5
  • Hits: 8
  • Doubles: 2
  • Triples: 0
  • Home Runs: 2
  • Runs Batted In: 4
  • Walks: 1
  • Hit By Pitch: 0
  • Strikeouts: 5
  • Stolen Bases: 0
  • Caught Stealing: 0
  • Batting Average: .286
  • On Base Percentage: .310
  • Slugging Percentage: .571
  • On Base Plus Slugging: .882

Advanced Batting Metrics:

  • Wins Above Replacement: Data provided separately by year.
  • On Base Percentage: .340
  • Slugging Percentage: .454
  • On Base Plus Slugging: .795
  • Runs Created: 160.6
  • Isolated Power: .173
  • Secondary Average: .289
  • At Bats Per Home Run: 34.6
  • Walk To Strikeout Ratio: 0.66

Career Fielding Statistics:

  • As Second Baseman:
    • Games Played: 1
    • Total Chances: 6
    • Assists: 4
    • Fielding Percentage: 1.000
  • As Third Baseman:
    • Games Played: 8
    • Total Chances: 21
    • Assists: 12
    • Errors: 4
    • Fielding Percentage: .810
  • As Shortstop:
    • Games Played: 135
    • Total Chances: 460
    • Assists: 313
    • Errors: 10
    • Double Plays: 54
    • Fielding Percentage: .978

Wander Franco has stamped his mark as an emerging star in Major League Baseball. On the batting front, across 265 games, he has sustained an impressive batting average of .282, complemented by an On Base Plus Slugging of .795. He has exhibited his aptitude to generate runs and hit with power. In the postseason, Franco’s prowess is evident with a notable slugging percentage of .571. From a defensive perspective, while his primary position is Shortstop, with an admirable fielding percentage of .978 over 135 games, Franco’s versatility is highlighted by his stints at both Second Base and Third Base. His statistics underscore his versatility and potential as a holistic player in the majors.


Wander Franco 2024 Profile

Wander Franco — the 5 foot 10, 189 pound shortstop for the Tampa Bay Rays — burst onto the MLB radar in 2021 and quickly became one of baseball’s most exciting players. His blend of athleticism and swagger captivated not only Rays fans, but baseball fans across the world; making everybody eager to see how Franco’s promising career would unfold. However, Franco’s upward ascent came to a screeching halt in August of 2023, once he was accused of having an alleged relationship with a minor in the Dominican Republic. Since these allegations surfaced, Franco has been suspended by the MLB and hasn’t played a game. In fact, there’s a chance Franco might never play in the MLB again.

In this article, we’ll discuss Wander Franco’s general information, his pre-MLB background, how his MLB career has gone so far, and what (if anything) we can expect to see from Franco in 2024.


Wander Franco General Information

Wander Samuel Franco Aybar Sr. was born on March 1, 2001, in Baní, Dominican Republic. His parents are Wander Franco Sr. and Nancy Aybar. Franco Sr. was a professional baseball in the minor leagues during the 1990s.

Wander Franco is married to Rachelly Paulino. The couple have been together since childhood, got married in 2021, and have two children together.

On November 23, 2021, Wander Franco signed an 11-year, $182,000,000 contract with the Tampa Bay Rays — making for an average annual salary of $16,545,455. Franco’s net worth is estimated to be $5 million.

Wander Franco wears jersey number 5, throws with his right hand, and is a switch hitter (hits from both the left and right side.)


Wander Franco Background

Wander Franco was considered to be one of the top international prospects of his 2017 class. And on July 2, 2017, he signed with the Tampa Bay Rays organization. Upon signing with the Rays, Franco was sent to the organization’s Advanced Rookie-level team, called the Princeton Rays. In his 2018 season with the Princeton Rays, Franco hit .374 with 11 home runs and 57 RBIs in 245 plate appearances. At season’s end, Franco was named 2018 Appalachian League Player of the Year.

After his extremely successful 2018, Franco was ranked as the #4 prospect in all of baseball. He started the 2019 season with the Rays’ High-A minor league team, but was quickly promoted to a higher Rays minor league team. After being named to the 2019 All-Star Futures Game, Franco finished his 2019 season hitting .327 with 9 home runs and 53 RBIs.

Prior to the 2020 season, Wander Franco was considered the #1 prospect in all of baseball. Unfortunately, no minor league games were played in 2020 due to the pandemic, so Franco did not have a 2020 minor league season. He did, however, go to play in the Dominican Winter League, and hit .350 in 23 at-bats there.

Although many expected Franco to start the 2021 season on the Rays’ roster, he instead started the year with their Class-AAA affiliate, the Durham Bulls. In 39 games with Durham, Franco hit .315 with 7 home runs and 35 RBIs.

On June 22, 2021, Wander Franco was promoted to the major leagues for the first time.


Franco’s MLB Career So Far

Franco made his MLB debut on the same day that he was promoted. In the game, recorded his first career hit, home run, and RBI. On August 25, Franco reached base safely for the 26th consecutive game, setting a record for the longest run of games reaching base safely by a player under 21 years old since 1961. On September 7, Franco reached base safely for the 37th consecutive time, passing Mickey Mantle’s 36 game on base streak for a player 20-years old or younger. At the end of his 2021 rookie season, Franco hit .288 with 7 home runs and 39 RBIs in 281 plate appearances.

After Franco signed his massive 11-year contract, he became the youngest player in baseball history to sign a contract worth at least $100 million.

Unfortunately for Franco, his 2022 season was plagued with injuries. During the beginning of the season, Franco missed a month due to a strained quadriceps, and then missed two months later in the season because he needed surgery after breaking a bone in his hand while swinging. Ultimately, Franco was only able to play in 83 games that season, and hit .277 with 6 home runs and 33 RBIs in the 344 plate appearances he had all year.

Franco had an excellent start to his 2023 season. And on July 4, 2023, Franco was selected to his first All-Star game.

Then, on August 13, 2023, Franco was placed on the Rays’ restricted list, as the MLB and a specialized Minor and Gender Violence Division began investigations into an alleged relationship Franco had with a minor. Franco was placed on indefinite administrative leave by the MLB as the investigation continued. And since the investigation is still going, Franco has yet to play a game since August 13. Prior to being placed on the restricted list, Franco was hitting .281 with 17 home runs, 58 RBIs, and 30 stolen bases in 491 plate appearances.

Franco also played for the Dominican Republic in the 2023 World Baseball Classic. Over the course of nine at-bats, Franco hit .222 in the tournament.


Wander Franco 2024 Season Forecast

If Wander Franco is found guilty of the allegations he was accused of in August, he will most likely never play another MLB game in his life. If he is found innocent, however, or comes to some sort of settlement, then he’ll most likely be able to play in 2024. Yet, one wonders whether Franco will be the same once he returns, Regardless of the investigation’s verdict, Franco’s reputation has been ruined among fans and players alike. He will receive constant boo’s each time he approaches the plate, and might be ostracized from the Rays’ dugout. Whether this will have an effect on his on-field performance is anyone’s guess — but one would imagine that, for someone as young as Franco (still 22 years old), it would certainly have an impact.

Yet, let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Franco’s investigation is still ongoing, and there’s a chance we’ll never see him play baseball in the MLB again. If this is the case, Wander Franco will go down as one of the biggest “what-if’s” in MLB history.


James Idayi
Posted in MLB