Monday’s matchup between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Houston Astros featured a contender for catch of the year from star shortstop Wander Franco.
The play happened in the top of the fifth inning with Astros catcher Martin Maldonado at the plate.
Maldonado hit a ball into foul territory in left field. It didn’t look like Franco had any business being anywhere near the play, but he somehow tracked the ball all the way into foul territory in deep left field.
The star shortstop tracked the ball beautifully and made a miraculous play, catching it with his bare hand to record the out.
Wander Franco goes bare hand for the insane catch! ⚾️😲 pic.twitter.com/PvIysDCOCI
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) April 25, 2023
It is certainly a jaw-dropping play, and many around the MLB world offered their take on the wild catch.
You cannot be serious, Wander Franco. pic.twitter.com/CXVUcTFTW1
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) April 25, 2023
Wander Franco has no need for a glove out there @StoolBaseball pic.twitter.com/iT2g9EJSFp
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) April 25, 2023
WANDER FRANCO THAT IS RIDICULOUS pic.twitter.com/fqSnOxRmmt
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) April 25, 2023
Wander Franco… WHAT 🤯
(via @RaysBaseball)pic.twitter.com/W2YCs0GAOu
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 25, 2023
Wander Franco just made an absolutely absurd barehand catch pic.twitter.com/o8xgV9MxTL
— Casey Drottar (@CDrottar19) April 25, 2023
Wander Franco with one of the greatest catches you’ll see.
Barehand. Wow. https://t.co/cPer67E5Dj
— Tyler Milliken ⚾️ (@tylermilliken_) April 25, 2023
OH MY GOD WANDER FRANCOpic.twitter.com/kZBFcx7ZZm
— Rays The Roof (@RaysTheRoofTB) April 25, 2023
Franco even getting to this ball is unbelievable, and to make the play without the glove is just absurd.
This unbelievable play was just the cherry on top of a truly remarkable game for Franco. He had it going with the bat as well all night long, recording four hits on the day while at the plate.
A Wanderful double #RaysUp pic.twitter.com/bUE3z22VHY
— Rays Radio (@RaysRadio) April 24, 2023
ANOTHER Wander Franco double! 🕺 pic.twitter.com/CVa4eqg913
— Rays Radio (@RaysRadio) April 25, 2023
Wander's FOURTH hit of the night! 🤩 pic.twitter.com/AFtYDZQErE
— Rays Radio (@RaysRadio) April 25, 2023
The Rays have had about as good of a start to the season as they could have hoped for. They came into Monday’s game with a 19-3 record on the year.
Wander Franco has been a huge part of that success, hitting .289 on the year with four home runs.
If he can keep up this level of play both offensively and defensively, he could certainly earn himself his first All-Star game appearance. More importantly, the Rays could be a real contender to potentially come out of the American League and contend for a World Series title.
[The Comeback on Twitter] Photo Credit: Bally Sports
