Rays shortstop Wander Franco turned heads on Wednesday while making a jaw-dropping play in the infield.
After securing a hard-hit grounder up the middle, Franco nonchalantly spun the ball up in the air to himself before barehanding it and firing it across the diamond to first base.
Franco’s throw to first beat Pirates’ Bryan Reynolds in plenty of time, capping off what was a smooth and flashy play from the 22-year-old.
Fans on Twitter were in awe over Franco’s play at shortstop, dubbing it a “ball flip” and comparing his impressive transfer to the defensive version of a bat flip.
Speaking to reporters after the game, Franco explained what was going on in his mind during the play.
Wander Franco is a baseball player that every baseball fan should be watching every night pic.twitter.com/cMPSYW8Gtg
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) May 4, 2023
“I mess around in practice sometimes. I tend to do that at practice and I think through instincts it just happened,” said Franco, speaking via a translator.
"I tend to do that in practice... I think it's something that just happened."
— Bally Sports Sun: Rays (@BallyRays) May 4, 2023
Wander Franco on the ball flip to himself and the start from Sugar Shane -- "I don't think I've ever seen him fail" -- as he talks after tonight's victory. #RaysUp pic.twitter.com/8QIV89fzZC
For Franco, the transfer at shortstop was second nature and not even something he actively intended to do. Regardless of whether or not he intentionally added some flare to the play, he executed it perfectly.
That wasn’t the only highlight from Franco on Wednesday. Tampa Bay’s star infielder also launched his sixth home run of the season, a towering solo shot in the seventh inning which extended the Rays’ lead to 7–1.
