Nationals' 16-year-old Dominican prospect Franco shows well in fall instructional league

By Byron Kerr

Nationals

November 04, 2013, 9:39am

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The Nationals' biggest investment this offseason in Dominican talent, Anderson Franco, played very well in his debut at fall instructional league last month in Viera, Fla. Ben Badler of Baseball America reported that Franco signed with the Nationals for $900,000 last August. Franco is 6-foot-2, 190 lb., power-hitting third baseman from the Dominican Republic. The 16-year-old was rated the No. 29 international prospect by Baseball America. Here is a video of Franco at a workout, courtesy of Baseball America. Franco was ranked the No. 16 international prospect by MLB.com. Nationals director of player development Doug Harris said Franco showed he was capable of competing there and that he belonged. "He held his own at the instructional league and is a fun kid to watch," Harris said. "He has the physical tools. Franco has a good arm, good hands, a very poised young man. It speaks to his talent level (that he started in the fall instructional league)." It is a very good sign that Franco fared so well in the instructional league against top prospects in the Nationals system. Franco is likely to begin his play in the Dominican Summer League for the Nationals next season.