The sordid legal case of former Tampa Bay Rays star Wander Franco will proceed to a trial, a judge in the Dominican Republic has ruled.
ESPN reported Thursday that Franco, 23, will stand trial on charges that he sexually abused a minor following a judge’s ruling Thursday in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic.
In July, Franco was formally charged with sexual abuse and sexual exploitation against a minor.
Read more: Tampa Bay Rays Star Formally Charged by Dominican Prosecutors: Reports
The former shortstop hasn’t played since Aug. 2023, when the Rays placed him on the restricted list amid allegations of an inappropriate relationship with a minor. At the time, it was reported that Franco was 21 when he began a relationship with a 14-year-old girl in Dec. 2022.
He’s facing charges that carry a prison sentence of up to 20 years, according to ESPN.
Update: Through a press release, Dominican authorities indicate that in addition to the crimes of sexual abuse and sexual exploitation against a minor, #WanderFranco is being accused of human trafficking.
This crime has penalties up to 20 years in prison.
— Juan Arturo Recio (@JuanRecioM) July 10, 2024
Baseball’s consensus No. 1 prospect heading into the 2020 and 2021 seasons, Franco signed an 11-year, $182 million deal with the Rays in Nov. 2021.
On the field, his play was electric. Franco finished third in American League Rookie of the Year voting in 2021, when he hit .288 with seven home runs and 39 RBIs in 70 games after his promotion to the majors at midseason.
Tampa Bay Rays Dominican baseball shortstop Wander Franco, who faces an accusation of molesting an underage girl, arrives in court under heavy escort in Puerto Plata, in Dominican Republic, on January 5, 2024. The hearing was being held behind closed doors and Franco, 22, who is eligible for the Major League Baseball All-Star Game in the 2023 season, did not make a statement before entering. The baseball player and the mother of the 15-year-old girl were charged with “the crimes of commercial sexual exploitation and money laundering. Franco was ordered to stand trial.
STR/AFP via Getty Images
Franco followed that up with a strong sophomore campaign in which he batted .277 and struck out a mere 33 times in 344 plate appearances — an elite demonstration of hitting ability for a 21-year-old at the major league level.
In 2023, Franco made his first AL All-Star team at age 22 and batted .281 in 112 games. He also showed his first signs of legitimate power and speed, hitting 17 home runs while stealing 30 bases.
Whatever future the Rays were contemplating with Franco as their franchise centerpiece seems all but dashed. The Rays took Franco off their 40-man roster in March and placed him on administrative leave.
According to ESPN, because Franco cannot leave the Dominican Republic under his bail agreement, his inability to report to spring training allowed the Rays to pursue the placement of Franco on the restricted list in July.
Players on administrative leave are still paid, but players on the restricted list are not. Per ESPN, Franco’s administrative leave agreement between MLB and the Players Association had a provision that his time on administrative leave would end if he were charged.
MLB is also investigating Franco under its domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse policy until the case is resolved. The league’s penalty will be all but moot if Franco is found guilty and faces extended prison time.
In addition to the multiple charges against Franco, the girl’s mother was charged with money laundering, according to SinCortapisa.com.
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