Wander Franco Fantasy Stats

Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco was found guilty of sexual abuse of a minor in the Dominican Republic on Thursday, according to ESPN's Jeff Passan. Franco will receive a two-year suspended prison sentence, with the primary condition being that he doesn't approach minors with sexual intentions. The 24-year-old was formally charged with sexual abuse and sexual exploitation against a minor, as well as human trafficking, in July of last year. He was placed on administrative leave by MLB last August and remains on the league's restricted list. While it appears that Franco may not actually have to do any prison time, it's still unlikely that he sets foot back onto a field in the big leagues for the Rays or any other organization.

Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco is expected to have the verdict of his trial announced on Thursday, reports Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. Franco is facing a long list of charges including sexual abuse and exploitation of a minor and has been on the restricted list since 2023. Regardless of the verdict of the trial, Major League Baseball is performing a concurrent investigation of the incident that would likely result in a suspension anyway. Returning to baseball is looking extremely unlikely for the former star, whether he avoids prison time or not.

According to multiple reports, Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco, who is currently on trial in the Dominican Republic on charges that include sexual abuse of a minor, was charged on Sunday with illegal possession of a gun. Franco was arrested on Nov. 10 after an altercation broke out, and a Glock 19 was found in his vehicle. The 24-year-old was formally charged last July in the Dominican Republic with sexual and commercial exploitation of a minor, and the trial is ongoing. MLB's investigation into the allegations against Franco are ongoing, too. Once one of the most promising young shortstop's in the game, Franco most likely won't ever step foot back on a big-league field again despite signing an 11-year, $182 million deal back in November of 2021. He has not played since the allegations initially surfaced in August of 2023.

The trail of Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco for charges of sexual abuse, sexual exploitation against a minor and human trafficking was postponed on Thursday until June 2 of next year after a judge in the Dominican Republic ruled that key witnesses were not located in time to meet the original trial date of Dec. 12. If convicted, Franco could face a sentence of up to 20 years in prison. Of the 36 witnesses scheduled to testify in the case, only three were present on Thursday. Although the legal process still has to play out, there remains a pretty good chance that the 23-year-old won't play in major-league baseball ever again. He was placed on indefinite administrative leave on Aug. 22 of 2023 in the midst of his third MLB season, and he was added to the restricted list in July of 2024. In addition to his trial, Franco is under investigation until the case is resolved.

Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco will now face charges of illegal use and possession of a firearm after he was arrested in the Dominican Republic countryside during an armed altercation on Sunday, according to public prosecutors. Franco had been held for questioning by police but is expected to be granted his release on Tuesday. A Glock with its magazines and 15 rounds of ammunition but no registration papers were found in Franco's Mercedes-Benz at the time of the altercation. There were no injuries, and the involved parties won't be pressing charges. The use and possession of illegal firearms carries a maximum sentence of three to five years. Franco is currently on indefinite administrative leave from MLB and will stand trial in the DR on Dec. 12 in a separate case involving charges of sexual abuse and sexual exploitation against a minor. He's unlikely to play baseball in the big leagues again.

Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco, who remains on the team's restricted list, was arrested on Monday in the Dominican Republic. This time, the arrest was related to an incident that happened on Sunday in which an altercation occurred and "guns were drawn." Franco is currently out on bail based on a deal related to his other charges connected to his relationship with a minor. According to the story, the 23-year-old is permitted to carry a gun so long as he has a license for it and it is registered, but it is not currently known whether or not the one in Sunday's incident was either licensed or registered. Franco is still awaiting trial in the other case and has not played in the majors since August of 2023.

A judge in the Dominican Republic ruled on Thursday that the evidence presented against Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco merits a trial, according to multiple reports. Franco is charged with human trafficking, sexual abuse and sexual exploitation of a minor. The charges stem from the 23-year-old's relationship with a then-14-year-old girl that started in December of 2022, when Franco was 21. If he is convicted, he could face up to 20 years in prison. No date for the trial has been set for Franco, who obviously has been on the restricted list all year and hasn't played since August of 2023. Judge Pascual Valenzuela "repeatedly pointed out to him that the decision is not an opinion of guilt," but that the evidence is considered worthy of the case moving to the trial stage. The Rays still owe Franco $172 million from the 11-year, $182 million deal he signed after his debut season in 2021.

Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco has been formally charged with sexual abuse and sexual exploitation against a minor. There was already enough doubt surrounding the possibility of Franco ever being able to play in the major leagues again, but this development should all but seal the deal in that regard. The 23-year-old former top prospect's fantasy stock in dynasty leagues has officially evaporated, meaning he can be safely jettisoned to waiver wires across all formats wherever he may have been stashed for those holding out hope he may have been innocent. Franco, a 2023 All-Star, had his entire career ahead of him and previously signed an 11-year deal worth $182 million with the Rays through 2032. If his MLB career has indeed come to an abrupt close, Franco slashed .282/.340/.454 with 30 home runs, 130 RBI, 164 runs scored, and 40 stolen bases over 265 games in Tampa Bay.

Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco has had his stay on administrative leave extended to July 14. Franco's original had an end date of June 1. Franco has been on leave since last August with allegations of having an inappropriate relationship with a minor. The extension allows more time for any developments in his case, while he will continue to receive $2 million in salary from the Rays. Authorities have until July 5 to formally charge Franco and there should be plenty of development until then with the case. Franco was one of the young stars on the rise in the big-leagues in 2023, but his off the field allegations have likely ended his career.

The Tampa Bay Rays have placed shortstop Wander Franco on administrative leave through June 1 under an agreement between the MLB and the MLB Players Association. Franco has been away from the team since last August, when his relationship with a minor first surfaced. There is no administrative leave in the offseason, which is why Thursday's Opening Day is when this move took place, and it also takes the former All-Star off of the 40-man roster, although he is still being paid while on leave. On June 1, the two parties will meet again to decide whether to extend his leave or place him on the restricted list, depending on the results of the investigation in the Dominican Republic. It's presumed that once that investigation is complete, MLB will conduct its own investigation, and Franco will likely be suspended.