Top prospect Franco could play winter ball

Wander Franco last played in a game during Spring Training in March with the Rays. However, MLB Pipeline’s No. 1 overall prospect could be suiting up soon in his native Dominican Republic.

Franco’s team in the Dominican Winter League, Leones del Escogido, announced Friday that the 19-year-old shortstop has received permission from Tampa Bay to start the winter season on their active roster. The campaign is scheduled to begin Nov. 15, without fans present due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Franco debuted in the Dominican Winter League in the 2019-20 season with Gigantes del Cibao, going 5-for-26 with a home run. He was traded by the Gigantes to the Leones on June 28.

Signed by the Rays out of the Dominican Republic in July 2017, Franco has hit .336/.405/.523 in 175 Minor League games. He hit .327/.398/.487 in 2019, between Class A Advanced Charlotte and Class A Bowling Green. In 667 at-bats since making his professional debut in '18, he has struck out only 54 times.

Franco was the Rays’ Minor League Player of the Year in 2019, when he also represented Tampa Bay in the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game.

This past spring, Franco made his Grapefruit League debut with the Rays, going 2-for-7 with an RBI and a run scored.

Fellow Rays infield prospect Vidal Bruján is expected to play in the Dominican Winter League this year, for the defending champion Toros del Este. Bruján, 22, is Tampa Bay's No. 3 prospect.