Wander Franco Quick Info | |
---|---|
Height | 5 ft 10 in |
Weight | 83 kg |
Date of Birth | March 1, 2001 |
Zodiac Sign | Pisces |
Spouse | Rachelly Paulino |
Wander Franco is a Dominican professional baseball player who is widely admired for his record-breaking performance as a shortstop for the Tampa Bay Rays (2021-Present). Additionally, he became a first-time All-Star in 2023 after joining the roster as a replacement for the injured Aaron Judge. Sadly, his meteoric rise came to a sudden halt in August 2023 after he got mired in controversy for getting romantically involved with a minor girl.
Born Name
Wander Samuel Franco Aybar Sr.
Nick Name
El Patron (the boss)
Sun Sign
Pisces
Born Place
BanÃ, Peravia, Dominican Republic
Nationality
Occupation
Professional Baseball Player
Family
- Father – Wander Franco (Professional Baseball Player)
- Mother – Nancy Aybar
- Siblings – Wander Alexander Franco (Older Brother) (Professional Baseball Player), Wander Javier Franco (Older Brother) (Professional Baseball Player)
- Others – Erick Aybar (Maternal Uncle) (Professional Baseball Player), Willy Aybar (Maternal Uncle) (Professional Baseball Player)
Batting
Switch
Throwing
Right
Positions Played
Shortstop
Jersey Number
5 – Tampa Bay Rays
Build
Athletic
Height
5 ft 10 in or 178 cm
Weight
83 kg or 183 lbs
Girlfriend / Spouse
Wander has dated –
- Rachelly Paulino (2021-Present) – He married his childhood sweetheart, who is allegedly named Rachelly Paulino, in 2021. The couple welcomed 2 sons – Wander Samuel Franco Jr. (b. 2018) and another son born in 2022.
Race / Ethnicity
Hispanic
He has Dominican Republic ancestry.
Hair Color
Black
Eye Color
Dark Brown
Sexual Orientation
Straight
Distinctive Features
- Multiple tattoos all over his body
- He wears ear studs.
Wander Franco Favorite Things
- Baseball Players – Manny Machado, José RamÃrez, Albert Pujols
- Meal – Arroz con huevo y aguacate (rice with eggs and avocado)
- Social Media App – Instagram
Source – MLB.com
Wander Franco Facts
- He was named as the #1 prospect in baseball by Baseball America before the start of the 2020 season.
- Wander made his major league debut in a game against the Boston Red Sox on June 22, 2021. In the fifth inning, he managed to score his first career hit, home run, and RBI on a three-run shot off of the pitcher, Eduardo RodrÃguez.
- He holds the distinction of having a multi-homer game at the age of only 21 years and 52 days, effectively making him the youngest player in the history of the Tampa Bay Rays to achieve this feat (as of 2023).
- On November 23, 2021, Franco extended his contract with the Tampa Bay Rays with an 11-year deal worth $182 million (with a club option for a 12th year worth $25 million). This eye-watering deal made the 20-year-old baseball player the youngest in history to sign a contract of over $100 million. In doing so, he surpassed Ronald Acuña Jr., who was 21 years old when he signed a contract extension of $100 million for 8 years in 2019.
- He has been an avid lover of sports cars since childhood and boasts a Lamborghini and Rolls Royce in his exclusive car collection.
- On August 13, 2023, the Tampa Bay Rays shortstop was accused of having a romantic relationship with a 14-year-old minor girl named Loredana Chevalier. As an investigation into the case was underway, the 22-year Wander was placed on the team’s restricted list and excluded from the subsequent playoff season.
Featured Image by Casey Aguinaldo / Wikimedia / CC BY-SA 4.0