Yesterday’s prospect faceoff post featured two fairly similar youngsters: upper-level left-handed hurlers MacKenzie Gore and Jesus Luzardo. Today, we’ll examine another duo with a lot of commonalities … but they won’t be quite so closely situated.
Glance up at the top ten list of most prospect rankings and you’ll see two middle infielders: Wander Franco of the Rays and Gavin Lux of the Dodgers. MLB.com and Fangraphs rank them 1-2. They share many attributes beyond position and lofty prospect standing. But these two players also present completely different propositions.
Franco is more or less universally considered the game’s very best prospect. But he also just turned 19 on March 1st and hasn’t yet played above the High-A level. In his two A-ball stops last year, the switch-hitter carried a collective .327/.398/.487 batting line with nine long balls over 495 plate appearances. He swiped 18 bags but was also gunned down 14 times.
This is not a complete product. There are some questions as to whether Franco will stick at shortstop, though he has thus far proven capable. More importantly, perhaps, is the fact that his power is still more a projection than a present skill. But the scouts see the potential in his actions at the plate. And Franco seems quite likely to maximize whatever raw power he ends up with given his exceptional plate discipline and contact ability. Franco recorded 56 walks against just 35 strikeouts last year while driving the ball around the yard. Though he hardly carries a big frame, Franco is said to carry immense wrist strength and bat speed. And his command of the zone will make him awfully tough to pitch to.
Do you feel like you need some precedent to believe a player can convert plate discipline and less-than-imposing physical stature? How about Lux? He didn’t put a single ball over the fence in 253 rookie ball plate appearances, then managed only seven dingers in 501 trips to the dish at the Class A level. But last year, Lux produced 26 long balls in his 523 upper-minors plate appearances.
Lux never quite matched Franco’s ludicrous K/BB numbers. But he’s not easy to retire on strikes, knows how to draw a walk, and features a blend of power and average. Last year’s minor-league slash line: .347/.421/.607. That’ll play, particularly for a guy known as a quality baserunner and fielder. What of the notorious PCL offensive inflation? Lux exploded with a 188 wRC+ in Triple-A, so the numbers stand out even against a high mean. While Lux may end up playing second base with the powerhouse Dodgers, he’s generally considered capable of holding down shortstop in the majors.
And here’s the thing about Lux: he has already reached and shown he can hang at the game’s highest level. He didn’t exactly take the league by storm when he arrived late in 2019. But Lux produced a .240/.305/.400 slash in 82 plate appearances. And he was trusted with a postseason roster spot. It remains to be seen whether Lux will be a perennial All-Star or something less, but when it comes to getting value from a guy, he’s about as sure a thing as a prospect can be.
In this case, there’s probably not much question that Franco has the loftier ceiling. And we have seen players shoot up from the lower minors into the majors rather quickly, so he may not be far off from a debut if he terrorizes the upper minors as expected. But there’s inherently much more risk in such a player than in Lux, who’s ready to slot in as a MLB regular as soon as this season finally gets underway. Particularly if you’re somewhat risk-averse and/or need immediate contributions in the majors, perhaps Lux is actually the better bet.
Which prospect would you prefer to have? (Poll link for app users.)
FSogol
Sheesh, It has come to this.
redmatt
What content would you publish?
GaryWarriorsRedSoxx
I love this stuff. Good discussion. Good excitement for the future.. young guys coming up to infuse a little pop in the game. Keep it coming.
DarkSide830
Franco is just the GOAT. no comparison
oldmansteve
GOAT as in the Greatest prospect of all time or the greatest player of all time? If it is prospect, you may be right. But let’s hold your horses on a player who has yet to see even AA pitching.
Strike Four
While conservative types are sometimes right in being wary of prospects who might have a weakness, Franco has as many as Kris Bryant has – and that’s a “type” you need to work into your own scouting ideas. The type that destroys MLB from day one. Franco has the exact same trajectory, and will most likely barring injury, will have the same results as KB.
oldmansteve
How can you compare Franco to Kris Bryant? They have noting in common.
Kris Bryant is 6’5″ 230. Wander Franco is 5’10” 190. Their physical gifts couldn’t be further apart. Their swings and levers are vastly different.
Wander Franco’s A+ slash .339/.408/.464 with a 1.73 BB/K at 18
Kris Bryant’s A+ slash .333/.387/.719 with a 0.18 BB/K at 21
Nothing about these show similar offensive profiles.
Strike Four
Absolutely everything shows both players will decimate MLB pitching upon arrival. Sorry you can’t see it, and instead decided to match up their physical heights and weights (LOL) to make some terrible point that isnt based in anything.
Then there’s Wander’s slash at 18 vs KB at 21….smh none of your reply is valid. Try again.
oldmansteve
If your comp is just to say “They are both good” then that is a valueless statement. Nowhere did I say they Franco wont hit well. Physical size has a huge impact on a players ability. From swing length to the ability to generate power. Slash lines at similar ages and levels are the best way to evaluate a prospects similarities. Nothing about their performances show similar players. Nothing about their physical tools show similar players. You have provided zero evidence for any claim you have made, and say I am not valid. Your opinions are a cancer on others.
8
Franco is a future HOF even without playing an MLB game yet.
bobtillman
His bust will be right next to Rob Refsnyder and Blake Swihart…..oh, and Jurickson Profar’s……
Nah, Franco looks legit, even if the defense is a bit off (it’s better than Lux’s)….but those who are already writing in Franco’s name in the #3 spot in the batting order from 2021-2031 have no idea how fickle fate can be. MOST likely scenario: Both have above average careers, 3-4 All Star games each (as good a metric as any).
8
Refsnyder SUCKED! U ever even watch him play? And Swihart and Profar had some upside but not even close to WSF. You have never seen any of these guys play!
nymetsking
You must be new to this thing called sarcasm.
kodion
His own seems fine (The lead comment is full of it.) …but maybe the tinfoil hat interferes with his sarcasm radar?
oldmansteve
Both takes are equally hyperbolic.
Javia
You do not understand sarcasm do you?
JustCheckingIn
Omg
HE HASNT LEFT A BALL
He has probably seen a dozen “good” curveballs in his career. Pump the brakes Smokey
whosyourmomma
Wrong Wander Franco, you guys have the older Wander Franco in Giants organization on link.
MiserablePadreFan
I was looking at his stats thinking ‘Franco isn’t really that good!’ Lol. Found the right Franco and my eyeballs almost popped outta my skull. STUD
30 Parks
I enjoy these comparison articles & GM reviews. Interesting takes. I appreciate the effort, MLBTR.
DarkSide830
agreed. it might be cool if they broadened the comparison thing and did a whole top-100 poll to see where readers rank all the prospects. it would take me forever to even order 100 set names, let alone chose them myself, but it sure would be neat.
oldmansteve
Reading some of the comments, I would hate to see what the readers of MLBTR ranked prospects.
Strike Four
You dont think Franco is a sure thing.
You are literally the only one on earth who thinks this.
Really wish I didnt know you thought that.
oldmansteve
No one is a sure thing, but I do think Franco is going to be great. I can simultaneously hold both opinions. I’m sorry you’re too much of a idiot to comprehend that.
JustCheckingIn
No one in A ball is a sure thing. Not even mike trout was a sure thing in A ball. Chill the hell out
mwrherm0
Ed Farmer passed away here in Chicago. I would like to see a story published here. A radio legend and great guy.
Domingo111
I think lux is a great prospect and he is at an age were power growth can happen but could some of his power growth be related to the “juiced ball” that was used in the minors too?
Franco despite being 3 years younger has more of a record of hitting for power and he was playing in the lower majors mostly were the juiced ball wasn’t used.
Thus I think francos power is more real plus he has more room to grow while for lux that probably was his big jump.
Also francos hit tool is more elite with a better k to bb ratio although lux is pretty good too.
I think lux can be like a 280/350/500 hitter with 30 bombs per year but franco could be a prime Pujols type hitter (320/400/600 with 35-40 bombs). I think pujols was the last guy who really had this k to bb (single digit k% with double digit walk rate while hitting 35+ bombs)
Of course franco might not stay at short especially if he gains another 15 pounds of muscle mass but even at 2nd and 3rd that bat is elite.
Lux is very good too but I thinl not quite that good.
oldmansteve
I’d hold off on projecting either of these guys a 30 hr hitter more or less 40. Neither of them are going to be consistent power guys but both guys are going to be obp kings with some power upside and good defense.
JustCheckingIn
Lux completely revamped his swing and his numbers took off. It wasn’t just a random fluke.
It’s the same swing LAD has probably half the roster using. He finally tapped into his legs
Javia
Franco has more room to grow into more power? He is 5’10”, 190. He has no more room to grow, no place to add good weight. Or do you think he will be 5’10”, 210 and still be a SS? Lux is 6’2″, 190. 4 inches taller, same weight. Lux has far more room to grow.
Yes the bat looks elite but we cannot know yet. I don’t see him ever being a big power threat. I think that if Franco is incredibly lucky, he can become a Jose Altuve type of offensive performer without the stolen bases. 20-25 HR, but he could be in the race for the batting title every year.
thebaseballfanatic
Franco will probably be the next Kevin Kiermaier for the Rays. Not that they have remotely close to the same skill set, but he’s probably the rare guy that the Rays keep long term if they have to choose.
Briffle2
Ray’s fans have to be excited for the future middle infield to be Adames and Franco.
oldmansteve
Either Adames or Franco will shift to 3rd. Brujan is their future 2nd baseman.
BlueSkies_LA
If your team is in compete now mode, Lux. If the team is compete in a year or two or three mode, Franco.
Mrtwotone
Franco is the next Acuna
Briffle2
Not sure if he has the ceiling of Acuna. His floor will be really high though, I don’t see 40/40 potential out of Franco like Acuna has.
oldmansteve
Not fair to compare the two. Acuna will always strike out too much to be a consistent source of obp. Franco will be an obp king. Franco probably wont have to pop or the raw speed of Acuna. However, if you were looking for a INF who will most like hit .320/.450/.520 every single year. Then Franco is as sure of a bet as you can get.
Franco is more similar to someone like Mookie Betts than an Acuna.
Strike Four
Great call, Steve Nebraska. Franco’s superior batted ball ability doesn’t match up with the mashers with lots of K’s.
I think Yelich is a good comp for Franco too, based off that. Rays are about to be terrifying and should get a ring out of adding Franco to their already-potent mix of talent.
Mrtwotone
I have confidence that franco will grow into more power. Perhaps Soto is a better comparison because Juan Soto is an OBP king
Sky14
Give me Franco. At 18 he was crushing A+, in the Florida State League. There’s a reason why he’s the consensus #1 prospect in baseball.
Mateo Sanboval
I am a big believer in Lux and think the concern over his juiced ball/PCL power growth is over rated as he slugged .521 over 64 games at AA last season where neither of those objections were factors. The knock against him, in spite of what Mr. Todd has written here, is that there is legitimate concern that he can’t play 2B let alone SS at the MLB level because of middling defense and a fairly longstanding case of the yips. He has spoken openly about this himself and these concerns are included in his Fangraphs prospect evaluation. The fact that many prospect evaluators see Lux as *potentially* having to move to 1B or OF and yet he is still unversally thought of as the #2 prospect in the game speaks volumes about his very high offensive floor.
I enjoy these Shootouts and hope to see more. Thanks for the fine content.
Strike Four
A great follow up post for MLBTR is: What is going to happen to Willy Adames?
Adames is a fantastic SS in his own right, but Franco has the much higher, elite ceilings across the board. Will TBR move Adames to 2b, or trade him for another young, cost-controlled stud? Really curious as to what happens there…
oldmansteve
Shift Franco to 3B as he already is starting fill out, Brujan plays 2nd. Stud infield.
Strike Four
Can’t quite write in Brujan like we can Franco at this moment, but I agree if he pans out he will be a great player too.
Maybe Franco won’t want to play 3B? Maybe the Rays will have a major need that can’t be filled internally to where a trade helps both teams? There’s lots of variables. MLBTR should be on this.
JoeBrady
Close enough, but I’d go with Franco.
1-Lux has too many Ks to make him a sure thing.
2-While Franco might be moved, he still has a shot of sticking as SS, which Lux definitely does not have.
3- While it is a tiny sample size, Lux has started off slow. While you can minimize it, it would be foolish to ignore it.
4-He has exhibited a split problem in the past, In the past three years, his minor league were:
.774/.467
.986/.575
1.014/.840
Even in his limited pro experience, it is .756/.417.
Strike Four
“Too many K’s” isn’t a thing anymore. If you can hit like Acuna, then you can also K 200+ times and its entirely meaningless that you do.
One can even argue eating pitch counts and striking out is a better AB than a 1 pitch pop up.
JoeBrady
But this isn’t a discussion about the value and costs of strikeouts. It’s a comparison of two players, and I think Lux’ Ks are more of a concern.
JustCheckingIn
“Because he wasn’t good off the bench in September for the first time in his career” he’s a bust
But the guy in High A is the safer bet? Lmfao the circles people talk themselves into
And Lux has every skill to stay at SS. He fits the team better at 2B with Muncy at 1B, Turner at 3b, seager at SS
When Corey was out, Lux played SS
You’re criticism are pretty baseless……
JoeBrady
1-I didn’t call Lux a bust. You nee to work on your reading comprehension.
2-BR shows -0- IPs for Lux at SS for the LAD.
3-Lux has 74 errors at SS in 2,573 IPs.with an RF/9 of 3.84. Compare that to Seager, with a similar path, Seager had 71 errors in 3,144 IPs, and a RF/9 of 4.35.
That’s a pretty significant drop-off.
Afk711
Franco is on another level but so is Lux from the people below him. Goes to show how strong the Dodgers player development machine is.
Iknowmorebaseball
Too much hype surrounding this, if Lux plays a whole season he he’ll have about 10 home runs and hit about 260. Then after a few seasons of the same type of production then all the hype goes away and all the goats get up and get amnesia and stop talking about how they thought Lux was supersonic. Way to much goat talk here
JustCheckingIn
Lux hit 392/478/719 in AAA, over 230 PA, SO:BB 43-33
Article really undersells his line in AAA. People can’t quantify WRC to a triple slash imo
But let’s Go ask Jo Adell if it’s easy to hit in AAA, for all you “PCL LOL fools”
Give me the prospect who has hit AA AND AAA
There’s no sure thing in prospects. And saying an 18 year old in A ball is a sure thing is some of the dumbest stuff I’ve read on this site in a long time
bobtillman
It’s wrong to say Wander is a “sure thing”. And it’s definitely wrong to call Franco another Mike Trout; if you’re over 50, Trout’s the first Trout you’ve seen, and the last Trout you’re ever going to see.
But Franco’s looks to me to be real. I’ve watched quite a few of his games on milbtv, and, gotta tell ya’, the kid hits ropes…EVERYWHERE. I never bought into the “ball sounds different of his bat stuff” until I watched Franco.
His floor is Boegarts, and that’s a heck of a floor. Ceiling? Not Trout, but he’s reasonably close. I think a Lindor comp, without the “D”, is pretty fair. And there’s enough pop for a 3B.
Big Hurt
I played soccer and was friends growing up in Kenosha w Gavin’s dad, so he’s got my vote! 🙂 seriously, great kid and great family.