Breaking News: Wander Franco Found Guilty; Baseball Career Likely Done

He was the top prospect in the game not too many years back. Now it appears that Wander Franco's baseball career is done. The Tampa Bay Rays shortstop was found guilty of sexual abuse of a minor in the Dominican Republic on Thursday and was handed a two-year suspended prison sentence.

Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco was found guilty of sexual abuse of a minor in the Dominican Republic after he had a sexual relationship with a 14-year-old girl when he was 21 and received a suspended two-year prison sentence Thursday.

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Franco was found to have had a sexual relationship with a 14-year-old girl when he was 21. The now 24-year-old will remain on MLB's restricted list.

Franco signed an 11-year, $182 million contract back in 2022, but hasn't played in two years since the sordid scandal came to light during the 2023 season. As long as he is on the restricted list, the Rays are not required to pay him.

Per Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the Rays could seek to have the remaining $133 million on his contract "voided based on violating moral turpitude".

"Major League Baseball is proud to have a collectively bargained Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Policy that reflects our commitment to these issues," MLB said in a statement on Thursday. “We are aware of today's verdict in the Wander Franco trial and will conclude our investigation at the appropriate time."

Although he remains free at this point with the suspended sentence, Franco will have to serve his prison time if he violates certain conditions, including contacting minors with sexual intentions.