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Former Major League Baseball star Wander Franco will avoid prison despite being convicted a second time on charges of sexual and psychological abuse of a minor. A judge in the Dominican Republic granted a judicial pardon to the 25-year-old shortstop.
The decision overturned Franco’s original conviction in June 2025, in which he received a two-year suspended prison sentence.
The charges against Franco stem from a months-long relationship the former MLB player had with a 14-year-old girl beginning in December 2022, when the former top baseball prospect was 21 years old. The court ruled that while Franco was criminally responsible for his actions, he was also the victim of an extortion and blackmail scheme allegedly orchestrated by the minor’s mother.
Wander Franco of the Tampa Bay Rays watches the game during the fifth inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida on August 12, 2023. (Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)
Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco sits in court during his trial for sexual abuse of a minor in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, June 2, 2025. (Ricardo Hernández/AP)
Prosecutors vigorously pushed for a five-year prison sentence to be imposed on the Tampa Bay Rays star, but the court ultimately gave the harshest sentence to the minor’s mother. Investigators had already discovered more than $100,000 in cash during searches of his home linked to Franco.
DOMINICAN APPEAL COURT GRANTS NEW TRIAL FOR CONVICTED MLB STAR WANDER FRANCO IN SEXUAL ABUSE CASE
The mother was sentenced to 10 years in prison for money laundering and commercial sexual exploitation.
During the proceedings, prosecutors detailed how she allegedly used her daughter as a financial product, extracting thousands of dollars from the wealthy MLB player in exchange for his consent to the relationship.
Although Franco avoided prison, his professional career in Major League Baseball is long over. He signed an 11-year, $182 million contract extension with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2021.
Wander Franco of the Tampa Bay Rays looks on before the game against the Minnesota Twins at Tropicana Field in Tampa, Florida on June 8, 2023. (Photos by Rob Tringali/MLB via Getty Images)
Franco has not appeared in an MLB game since August 2023, when allegations involving the minor first exploded on social media.
He was then placed on administrative leave before MLB moved him to its restricted list, freezing both his salary and service time.
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Under U.S. immigration law, the case likely qualifies as a “crime involving moral turpitude.”
Because Franco has not been fully exonerated, immigration experts say it will be nearly impossible for him to obtain the work visa needed to resume his Major League career.
Dominican baseball star Wander Franco gestures during his trial in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, June 26, 2025. Franco was given a two-year suspended prison sentence after being convicted of sexually abusing a teenage girl. (Luis Tavarez/AFP)
The award also gives the Rays significant financial leverage.
With approximately $160 million remaining on Franco’s contract, the organization has no obligation to pay him if he cannot obtain a visa or report to the team.
The Rays could also attempt to void the remainder of the deal under morality clauses commonly included in professional sports contracts.
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Major League Baseball’s independent investigation into its joint policy on domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse remains ongoing.
MLB previously said it was awaiting the conclusion of the Dominican Republic’s legal process before taking formal disciplinary action.
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