Rays’ Wander Franco added to American League All-Star team
ST. PETERSBURG — Wander Franco is an American League All-Star after all.
Franco, the Rays’ dynamic shortstop, was added to the team as a replacement for injured Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge, and got word after in the clubhouse after Tuesday’s game that he was headed to Seattle for next week’s jewel event.
“It sounds really good,” Franco said via team interpreter Manny Navarro.
Despite leading AL position players in WAR rating and posting overall impressive offensive numbers while playing strong defense at a premium position, Franco, 22, was not named to the initial 32-player squad.
He was passed over in voting by the fans, who elected Texas shortstop Corey Seager as the starter; and by the players, who favored Toronto’s Bo Bichette (a Lakewood High product), who thus was included as the backup.
Franco said he was concerned that his June 22-23 two-game benching by the Rays for disciplinary reasons — primarily for lacking control of his emotions and not being a better teammate — was a factor, perhaps because it happened around the time the players were voting.
“At first I thought it was probably because of the behavior that was the reason why I didn’t make it,” he said. “But I kept my head up, and thank God I’m in it. ...
“We all learn from all the bad stuff and all the errors that we make, and we’ve got to just keep moving forward.”
Franco said he was most looking forward to hanging out in the clubhouse with the other All-Stars, mentioning Toronto’s Vlad Guerrero Jr. and Cleveland’s Jose Ramirez among others.
“It’s going to be super good, being able to be in there and being able to talk to everybody,” he said. “I think it’s going to be awesome.”
Rays manager Kevin Cash, who had been openly pushing for Franco’s inclusion, was happy to deliver the news.
“I’m pumped for Wander,” Cash said. “He is so deserving. It doesn’t matter how you get on. When you get on, you’re on. He’s an American League All-Star. The hope is we see many of those. But in fairness, what’s allowed him to do that is No. 1, he’s a really talented player, but staying on the field and being healthy is probably the difference from this year to last year.”
Franco is hitting .286 with 10 home runs, 43 RBIs, 27 steals and an .814 OPS. His 4.2 WAR rating, per baseball-reference.com, is tops for American League position players, and third overall in the majors behind Angels two-way sensation Shohei Ohtani (6.7) and Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. (4.9).
“Thank God for this opportunity,” Franco said. “Always keep your head up, try to stay positive, and just always take advantage of any of these opportunities and just have fun.”
Several of his Rays teammates also were thrilled.
”I’m so happy for him,” pitcher Zach Eflin said. “It’s a no-brainer that he should be an All-Star. I thought it was kind of a travesty that he wasn’t named an All-Star earlier. He’s second or third in baseball in WAR. It just doesn’t make sense in my mind, but I’m happy that they got it right and he is able to go to the All-Star Game.
“He’s so deserving of it the way he plays. He’s such such a dynamic player and he really helps in every part of the game.”
Added catcher Christian Bethancourt: “Some of us were pretty upset that he didn’t make it in the first round. You can also understand, Bichette and Seager, they have great numbers, too. But Wander really deserved it.”
Franco joins a Rays contingent that includes starting outfielder Randy Arozarena, starting first baseman Yandy Diaz and pitcher Shane McClanahan, the 2022 starter who can’t pitch this year since he is on the 15-day injured list.
• • •
Sign up for the Sports Today newsletter to get daily updates on the Bucs, Rays, Lightning and college football across Florida.
Never miss out on the latest with your favorite Tampa Bay sports teams. Follow our coverage on Twitter and Facebook.
