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The No. 1 international prospect in baseball at 16 years old, Franco signed with the Rays for $3.825 million out of the Dominican Republic
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When Fernando Tatis Jr. graduated from top prospect status in 2019, Franco became MLB Pipeline’s new No. 1 and maintained that standing until his MLB debut in '21
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Franco showed his elite hitting ability and wowed everyone with a mammoth home run -- his first of Spring Training -- at Charlotte Sports Park
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While traveling with Triple-A Durham, Franco received the news that he would be called up for his highly anticipated MLB debut
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Franco hit a game-tying three-run homer, doubled, walked and played heads-up defense in his big league debut vs. Boston at Tropicana Field
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Franco ran up an on-base streak of 43 games as a rookie, tied with Frank Robinson for the longest in AL/NL history by a player 20 years old or younger
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Franco looked like the Rays’ best player in his postseason debut, going 7-for-19 with two HRs and two doubles in Tampa Bay’s four-game ALDS loss to Boston
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Teammate Randy Arozarena won the award, but Franco finished third in the American League Rookie of the Year voting despite only playing roughly half a season
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Franco signed the largest contract in Rays history, a record-breaking deal for a player with his experience: 11 years and $182 million guaranteed, potentially up to 12 years and $223 million
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Franco went 3-for-4 and played great defense to start his sophomore season, beginning a stretch in which he slashed .331/.355/.525 in his first 28 games
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After battling leg injuries early on, Franco returned midseason only to sustain a fractured hamate in his right wrist that left him sidelined and frustrated for two months
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Franco salvaged what was left of his second season, coming back to finish strong and produce a .277/.328/.417 slash line in 83 games overall