Follow the Prospects: Anderson Franco, 3B

[BrandonK]

Full Name: Anderson Franco
Age: 18 (August 15, 1997)
Birthplace: Bani, Dominican Republic
Bats/Throws: R/R
Ht: 6' 3"
Wt: 190

Year   Age   AgeDif   Lg   Lev   Aff   G   PA   AB   R   H   2B   3B   HR   RBI   SB   CS   BB   SO   BA   OBP   SLG   OPS   TB   GDP   HBP   SH   SF   IBB
2014   16   -2.3   DOSL   FRk   WSN   57   237   206   26   56   8   1   4   35   4   2   26   46   .272   .346   .379   .725   78   3   0   0   5   0

2015   17   -2.8   2 Lgs   Rk-A-WSN   57   217   193   19   52   7   2   4   23   2   3   21   28   .269   .346   .389   .734   75   6   2   0   1   0
2015   17   -2.4   GULF   Rk   WSN   46   170   153   19   43   6   1   4   19   2   3   14   26   .281   .347   .412   .759   63   4   2   0   1   0
2015   17   -4.1   NYPL   A-   WSN   11   47   40   0   9   1   1   0   4   0   0   7   2   .225   .340   .300   .640   12   2   0   0   0   0

Franco was ranked as the 29th-best international prospect in this year's class by Baseball America. He became eligible to sign today, which is his 16th birthday.

The Nats have been monitoring Franco for some time now and made him a priority in their international signing pursuits.

Scouts view the 6-foot-1, 185-lb. Franco as having impressive power, a strong arm and steady defensive abilities. Here's a video from the International Prospect League of Franco working out for scouts, if you're into that sort of thing.

Per MLB.com's Jesse Sanchez, Franco has a swing that tends to get a little long at times, and some scouts question his pitch recognition ability. But Sanchez notes that some scouts view Franco as a sleeper and believe he has the potential to be the top player out of this year's crop of international prospects.

#10th ranked prospect in the Nationals system, per BA: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/nationals-journal/wp/2015/10/28/lucas-giolito-trea-turner-top-baseball-americas-rankings-of-nationals-prospects/

New to the Top 10 list is third baseman Anderson Franco, signed out of the Dominican Republic in 2013. The 18-year-old with good size, raw power, and all the defensive tools needed to play a strong third base, spent the bulk of his season in the Gulf Coast League. He finished the season with a .271 average and .346 on-base percentage in 57 games.

[BrandonK]

John Sickels likes him too

8. Anderson Franco, 3B, Grade B-: Age 18, hit .269/.346/.389 with four homers, 21 walks, 28 strikeouts in 193 at-bats between GCL and NY-P, 6-3, 190 frame should just get stronger, this is a upside projection pick for me but I think he has 20-homer power in him down the line along with good strike zone judgment and competent defense at third base. No relation, but think Maikel Franco.

[BrandonK]

Starting the year in GCL. Imagine he'll work his way back up to NYPL if nothing higher.

[Lintyfresh85]

Starting the year in GCL. Imagine he'll work his way back up to NYPL if nothing higher.

Interesting they sent him back to the GCL after finishing in the NYPL. Guess he must not of had a very good extended Spring Training season.

[RD]

I'm wondering if there is some sort of injury. He hasn't even played in the GCL yet. He might be assigned there for short term rehab, and once he sees the field, after a couple games, hell be at a higher level.

[Glockypoo]

I'm wondering if there is some sort of injury. He hasn't even played in the GCL yet. He might be assigned there for short term rehab, and once he sees the field, after a couple games, hell be at a higher level.

That's the rumor.

Auburn has Neuse playing third but there's no obvious third baseman at Potomac (with Ward just promoted). Maybe Austin Davidson gets promoted to Potomac (he's repeating Hagerstown right now) and Franco starts for the Suns once his rehab is done?

[BrandonK]

I'm wondering if there is some sort of injury. He hasn't even played in the GCL yet. He might be assigned there for short term rehab, and once he sees the field, after a couple games, hell be at a higher level.

That's the rumor.

Auburn has Neuse playing third but there's no obvious third baseman at Potomac (with Ward just promoted). Maybe Austin Davidson gets promoted to Potomac (he's repeating Hagerstown right now) and Franco starts for the Suns once his rehab is done?

Yeah, haven't seen him in any of the first four games. We'll see

[BrandonK]

He's finally playing -- he's played the last 4 games in the GCL.

[imref]

retired