This week’s series for first place in the AL East just got more sizzle.
The Tampa Bay Rays announced on Sunday that they’re calling up baseball’s consensus top prospect Wander Franco. The 20-year-old switch-hitting infielder is scheduled to make his debut on Tuesday for Game 1 of a three-game series between the Rays and Red Sox in Tampa.
The defending AL champion Rays enter the series at 43-30, a half game behind the the 43-29 Red Sox for first place in the AL East. They also enter the series in need of a spark in the midst of a six-game losing streak.
Franco has the potential to be a difference maker. In 20 games with the AAA Durham Bulls, Franco is slashing .323/.376/.601 with seven home runs, 35 RBI and four stolen bases in 173 plate appearances. He’s been baseball’s top-rated prospect for the last two seasons.
