Though Tampa Bay Rays’ star Wander Franco may play in the big league, he may still have a thing for minors after the shortstop was accused of dating and grooming a 14-year-old girl on social media.
#RaysUp star Wander Franco has been accused of having an inappropriate relationship with a 14 year old minor. The allegations have been posted on Instagram. #TheHobby thoughts on this? pic.twitter.com/BpnbNHqO9Y
— The Hobby 24/7 (@TheHobby247) August 13, 2023
“This is a great baseball player if that’s what you can call Mr. Wander Samuel Franco, a narcissist who is with younger girls,” read one of the angry posts surrounding the baseball star, as translated into English.
@fancaveapp Wander(22) was benched today after twitter news broke that he dating a 14 YO girl. Do you think hes played his last game in the MLB? #mlb #mlbscandal #tampabayrays #beisbol #rays #wanderfranco ♬ original sound - ️
As rumors surrounding his alarming relationship began swirling, Franco, 22, reportedly left the dugout halfway through Sunday’s game against the Cleveland Guardians, per the Tampa Bay Times.
His sudden exit and lack of field time came as fans 14 and younger were offered free Wander Franco Snapback Hats at Tropicana Field.
Bro the Rays really give out Wander Franco snap backs to minors only TODAY pic.twitter.com/49I0SGj02h
— Mike Daddino (@mike_daddino) August 14, 2023
Later on Sunday, the Tampa Bay Rays spoke out, noting that they “were made aware of the social media posts” surrounding their star player “during” the game.
“We take the situation seriously and are in close contact with Major League Baseball as it conducts its due diligence,” they said in a statement shortly after the game.
Franco did not reportedly board the plane to San Francisco, where his team is set to take on the Giants this week.
As the Tampa Bay Rays continue to delve into these alarming accusations, Franco headed to social media, denying the allegations against him in a very legally inadvisable Instagram live.
“They say that I’m in public with a little girl, that I’m running around with a minor,” he reportedly said, per a social media translation. “People don’t know what to do with their time. They don’t know what they’re talking about. That’s why I prefer to be on my side and not get involved with anybody.”
From Wander Franco’s IG Live :
— Jay Recher (@jayRecher) August 14, 2023
“They say that I’m in public with a little girl, that I’m running around with a minor. People don’t know what to do with their time. They don’t know what they’re talking about. That’s why I prefer to be on my side & not get involved with anybody.” pic.twitter.com/DEtsHCrbQW
We can only hope that these rumors aren’t true and that if they are, he’s kept far, far, away from any minor — whether league or girl.
Wander Franco when the rays tell him they’re sending him to the minors: pic.twitter.com/8AzaZhvsVr
— communist andy (@bigredclearsog) August 14, 2023
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