Wander Franco

​Wander Samuel Franco Aybar Sr. is a 22-year-old Dominican professional baseball shortstop for the Tampa Bay Rays of Major League Baseball (MLB). Nicknamed 'El Patron', Wander made his MLB debut in 2021 and is considered one of the hottest prospects in the league.

Ranked as a top prospect by Baseball America before the 2021 season, Wander lived up to the hype, accumulating .315/.377/.481 with 10 home runs and 43 RBI in 72 games, and earning the American League Rookie of the Year award in the process. Wander continued that good form during the 2022 season, hitting .308/.372/.498 with 7 home runs, 21 stolen bases, 37 runs scored, and 29 RBI in 253 plate appearances.

Known for his incredible combination of power, speed, and defense Wander has a smooth swing and can hit for both average and power. Defensively, he is also one of the best shortstops in the game. He has a strong arm and great range and is very good at making plays all over the field.

Wander Franco Personal Information

Wander Franco’s Early Life

Wander Franco was born on March 1, 2001, in Bani, Dominican Republic to parents Wander Franco and Nancy Aybar. His father, named Wander as well, played baseball in minor league ball during the 1990s. His mother Nancy is the sister of Erick Aybar and Willy Aybar, both of whom played in Major League Baseball.

Wander dropped out of school after sixth grade so he could train to become a professional baseball player. At the age of 16, Wander signed with the Rays for $3.825 million.

Wander Franco's Personal Life

Wander's two brothers, Wander Alexander Franco, and Wander Javier Franco are both involved in baseball too, having played in the Houston Astros and San Francisco Giants organizations.

Wander Franco’s Family Background

Wander Franco was to Dominican parents in Bani, Dominican Republic on March 1, 2001. Baseball ran in the family's blood. His father, Wander, was a minor-league baseball player. His mother, Nancy was the sibling of Eric Aybar and Willy Aybar, both Major League Baseball players.

Wander's brothers, Wander Alexander Franco, and Wander Javier Franco, also played in the Houston Astros and San Francisco Giants organizations.

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Wander Franco’s Wife

Wander Franco has maintained an extremely discreet private life, only sharing absolute essentials with the public. While the name of his wife is unknown, it is understood that Wander married his girlfriend after the 2021 MLB season. She has not made a single appearance in public or on Wander's social media accounts and therefore there is not a single photo of her online.

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Wander Franco’s Kids

Wander Franco and his wife have two sons together. The first, Wander Samuel Franco Jr., was born in late 2018, and the other, was born in 2022.

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Wander Franco’s Social Media

Wander Franco has an active social media account on Instagram. A majority of his posts are baseball-oriented, with the occasional ones of his during his time off the field. Wander has a little over 300k followers on his handle.

Instagram - @w_franco_4

Wander Franco’s Net Worth

Wander Franco has an estimated net worth of roughly $5 million as of 2023. The talented youngster has achieved remarkable success in his career already, helping him seal lucrative contracts and endorsement deals.

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Wander Franco’s Career Stats

​Wander Franco is known for his incredible combination of power, speed, and defense, with a smooth swing that can hit for both average and power.

After making his debut in 2021, Wander culminated his first season in the majors by hitting .315/.377/.481 with 10 home runs and 43 RBI in 72 games and earning the American League Rookie of the Year award in the process. He continued that good form into the next season, accumulating .308/.372/.498 with 7 home runs, 21 stolen bases, 37 runs scored, and 29 RBI in 253 plate appearances.

Wander Franco’s Achievements

Ranked the No. 1 prospect in all of baseball prior to the 2020 season, Wander Franco's trajectory has been only upwards. An MVP-caliber player already, Wander's stats speak for themselves. Wander was selected to his first MLB All-Star game as the roster replacement for Aaron Judge, who was injured, on July 4, 2023.

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Wander Franco’s Contract

Wander Franco signed with the Tampa Bay Rays on July 2, 2017, after being ranked as one of the top international prospects in the 2017 international class. Wander and the Rays agreed to an eleven-year, $182 million contract extension, with a club option of $25 million for a twelfth year on November 23, 2021.

His deal at the time, at the age of 20, made him the youngest player in baseball history to sign a contract worth at least $100 million, passing Ronald Acuña Jr.'s eight-year, $100 million contract extension which was signed in 2019. His deal was the largest for any player with less than one year of major league service.

Wander Franco’s Diet

Wander Franco's exact diet is unknown to the public, but it is reported that the Ray's shortstop took it upon himself during the 2022 offseason to alter his diet and workouts with an eye toward flexibility and remaining durable.

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Wander Franco’s House

Wander Franco resides in St. Petersburg, Florida, with his wife and two sons.

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Wander Franco’s Cars

It is reported that Wander Franco owns a Mercedes-Benz AMG GLE 53.