Former Top Prospect Signs In Japan

Headed overseas.

Third baseman Maikel Franco has signed with the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles of Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball.

The Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles have signed 3B/1B Maikel Franco.

The former #Phillies, #Royals, #Orioles, and #Nats infielder is coming off of two terrible seasons (combined -2.7 bWAR) and is hoping the change of scenery will help him rebound. pic.twitter.com/mQ7GzNhBmV

— Gaijin Baseball/外国人野球 (@GaijinBaseball) December 1, 2022

After back-to-back brutal seasons for the veteran, Franco will look to get back on track in Japan and, maybe, improve his stock there so he can make a return to the MLB.

For his major league career, spanning nine seasons, Franco slashed .244/.293/.414, with 130 home runs, 467 RBIs and 364 runs scored across 923 games. 

The thirty-year old was a former top prospect of the Philadelphia Phillies and he spent the first six seasons of his career with the club, before spending time with the Kansas City Royals, Baltimore Orioles and the Washington Nationals.

Photo Credit:  Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports