Franco's offseason on pause due to sore arm

November 26th, 2020

Top overall prospect has not played for his Dominican Winter League club, Leones del Escogido, since Friday due to a sore right biceps. Escogido announced on Wednesday that Franco would be heading back to the United States to be evaluated by Rays team doctors, but the club is hopeful it is not a serious injury, a source told MLB.com's Mark Feinsand.

The 19-year-old Rays prospect was off to a blistering start for Escogido, hitting .350/.435/.500 with a homer and a stolen base through the first five games. Franco also showed off his all-around game with an incredible highlight-reel play when he barehanded a slow roller and fired to first for an out.

Though he spent the 2020 season at Tampa Bay's alternate training site, Franco was sensational in his first full season of professional baseball in '19. He hit .327/.398/.487 with nine homers, seven triples and 18 stolen bases across 114 games between Class A Bowling Green and Class A Advanced Charlotte.