Tampa Bay Rays star Vander Franco is used to getting ahead of his peers.
He was the top prospect at nearly every minor league stop he made and made his MLB debut at age 20 in 2021, finishing that season with an .810 OPS.
As it turns out, he breaks records at the international level as well.
A key part of the Dominican Republic team at the World Baseball Classic (WBC), Franco stole a base in his country’s 6-1 victory over Nicaragua on Monday.
He became the youngest player to steal a base in the WBC in 14 years.
“With his stolen base earlier, at 22 years and 12 days, Vander Franco became the youngest player in a WBC game with a SB since Gerardo Parra at 21 years and 314 days on 3/16/09,” Sarah Langs. on Twitter.
With his stolen base earlier at 22 years and 12 days, Vander Franco became the youngest player with a SB in a WBC game since Gerardo Parra at 21 years and 314 days on 3/16/09.
h/t @EliasSports
— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) March 13, 2023
Franco had a difficult 2022 season riddled with injuries that limited him to 83 games and a .746 OPS.
He had to deal with lingering quad, hamstring and arm issues last year and they affected his play on the field.
Now fully healthy and devoting his offseason to improving his flexibility and agility, Franco looks hungrier than ever.
He was also one of the youngest players in baseball to receive a lucrative extension and is eager to show the Rays and the world that he is worth every penny.
Franco, if fully healthy, can hit north of .300 with 20 homers and 20 steals in any given season.
If he can make it through the season in one piece, the Rays can dream of another World Series run.
For now, he’s trying to help the Dominican Republic advance from Pool D in the WBC.
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