Top prospect Wander Franco is being called up to the Rays

The Tampa Bay Rays are finally bringing up infielder Wander Franco, the top prospect in baseball, to help end a six-game skid.

It’s time for Wander Franco to make his mark on Major League Baseball.

At just 20 years old, the No. 1 prospect in MLB is set to be called up by the Tampa Bay Rays this week.

Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reported the news on Sunday, with Franco expected to join the team on Tuesday to open the series against the Boston Red Sox.

Wander Franco is a highly-anticipated prospect for the Rays

Franco has been absolutely mauling the ball in Triple-A this season. He’s batting .323/.376/.601 with seven home runs, 35 RBI and five stolen bases for Durham.

MLB.com praised Franco’s “physical tools and natural ability,” predicting that he could become “the top switch-hitter of his generation.”

He has been playing shortstop, but he could also work at second or third base if needed. The Rays have had Taylor Walls filling shortstop since Willy Adames was traded. He’s batting .237/.299/.365 with three home runs and 13 RBI in 26 appearances this season.

Even if Franco wasn’t an extremely heralded prospect, the Rays could use help anywhere they can get it. Tampa Bay has lost six in a row, including a sweep at the hands of the Seattle Mariners. They have fallen out of first place in the AL East behind the Red Sox.

The series beginning on Tuesday will be pivotal for both clubs. Franco couldn’t get a more charged debut in the majors.

More than just Tampa Bay fans will be watching. Franco could be a household name before long. He just has to prove he can handle the pressure at the highest level as well as he’s handled it in every other stage of his development.