Wander Franco’s maturation can bring both highlights and headaches. ST. PETERSBURG – Wander Franco is a multi-talented, dynamic player who does many good things for his Rays team. He helps them win with bat, glove, arms and legs. But the 22 year-old shortstop who is destined to be a superstar also does things that may leave team officials scratching or with a throbbing head. It’s not a major issue, but it is enough to attract attention when you are the face of a big-league franchise. The look-at-me maneuver of flipping the baseball to himself before throwing it to first base, on what would have otherwise been a routine groundout against Pittsburgh on May 3, created a debate about whether or not this was showboating and/or a way to display his immense talent. This move threatened to break down the Internet. Baseball is a lot of fun. Wandering is fun. #RaysUp pic.twitter.com/sWXuNq9ue2 Bally Sports Florida and Bally Sports Sun (@BallySportsFL), May 4, 2023 Franco did not run hard to first in several at-bats. This could be seen as preventive maintenance, given his leg-muscle problems. Franco will try to steal an extra base when he hits a certain hit. Franco has been one of the most aggressive base stealers on the team, stealing 18 bases (through Friday), while being caught five times. It is not uncommon for teammates to get into heated arguments, as Randy Arozarena did on Tuesday in the dugout. Franco’s attempt to make a play on a grounder was unsuccessful. Third baseman Isaac Paredes had an easier angle, which allowed Toronto to score. It wasn’t for the first time that Franco was accused of over-reaching and ball-hogging in order to make a catch. Franco’s position in the game, and any consternation over these issues, is at least partly a product of his standing and a kind of tradeoff. Franco, who has been praised for his baseball instincts and physical tools, was promoted to the majors at a young, and is now a key player on a winning team. He will be held to high standards and closely watched, both inside and outside of the organization. Petty jealousies can be common, especially when players spend so much time together. They may be over perceived special treatment, a locker in a prime location, or, as Franco found out, an adjacent rack that could hold several dozen pairs cleats. They can be a source of humor and teasing among more experienced players. Keep up with the latest sports news in Tampa Bay Subscribe to Sports Today for free Every day, we’ll send you the latest news and analysis about the Bucs, Lightning and Rays as well as Florida’s college football team. Loading… You have all signed up. Want to receive our free weekly newsletters directly in your inbox. Let’s get started. Explore all your options This can be especially difficult for someone who is still developing socially, learning to control emotions (especially when dealing with criticism), and maturing. The Rays appear to be understanding Franco, seeing him as a good young man who is still growing up. They protect him whenever they can. It is notable that none of Franco’s perceived transgressions has prompted public criticism by his bosses or team-mates. Wander Franco, left, and Jose Siri celebrate the 9-3 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday at Tropicana field. Times ] Erik Neander, Rays baseball operations’ president, said: “He is a very talented and highly motivated person. He has risen so quickly that it’s easy for people to forget that he’s only 22.” “While we enjoy his impact, it is our responsibility to continue to help him grow and develop the tools that he needs to manage the stress attributable to playing the game. As we commit to doing with all players.” Franco isn’t alone in attracting attention with his actions. Jose Siri enjoys his home runs and shows off on many catches. Randy Arozarena’s arms-crossed motion, especially when it is done while he is rounding third base after a home run, seems to rile his opponents. Pete Fairbanks is often animated and vocal on the mound. It should also be noted that despite any distractions, the Rays have the best record of all the major league teams heading into Memorial Day weekend. Franco is the big deal. He will get the most attention. The Rays hope he continues to work hard for his team. Rays of rumbling The Rays are auditioning and interviewing for a new Tropicana field PA announcer. They recently parted ways with Greg Kalil who was in his thirteenth season. Siri, who is known as El Rayo, showed up at the clubhouse wearing a blue Lightning shirt with a white lightning bolt on the front. Blake Snell is one of the free-agents-to-be who may be available at the trade deadline. He has a 5.40 ERA and is 1-6 for San Diego. Kiley McDaniels updated top 50 prospect list for espn.com ranks shortstop Carson Williams 12th. Taj Bradley is 20th on the list, Junior Caminero is 21st and first baseman Kyle Manzardo is 46th. Last week, a familiar face was seen in the teacher/staff kickball game between St. Pete’s Shore Acres elementary and fifth graders. Doug Waechter is a former Rays pitcher/current television analyst who went 3-for-4 with 6 RBIs to help wife Kristen’s side to a 34 to 32 win. Brady Williams, the third-base coach, will have some fond memories of his trip to Boston. He was a 16-year old bat boy at Fenway Park during the 1997 season, when his father, Jimy, became the Red Sox’s manager. Drew Rasmussen was given an eight-week no-throwing prognosis for a flexor muscle injury suffered on May 11. This was confirmed by Dr. Keith Meister who also gave him an injection of Vitti Pure (which uses umbilical tissue as an alternative PRP). Andrew Friedman, who is now the head of the Dodgers with their $223 million payroll, which is triple that of the Rays, still believes in the same philosophy and way to think as he did when he was the director of baseball operations at Tampa Bay. “That’s the only way you can tell if it’s real,” he said. Ray Negron is a St. Petersburg-based community adviser who works for the Yankees. He recently received the Global Humanitarian Leadership Award by the Federation of World Peace and Love. * * * Sign up for Sports Today to receive daily updates on the Bucs and Rays, the Lightning, and college football in Florida. Don’t miss the latest news from your favorite Tampa Bay teams. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

ST. PETERSBURG — Wander Franco does so many good things for the Rays, helping them win with his bat, glove, arm and legs — a truly dynamic, multitalented player.

But the 22-year-old budding superstar shortstop also does some things that could leave team officials scratching their heads or with a throbbing headache.

Nothing major, but enough to draw attention given the scrutiny that comes with being the face of the big-league franchise.

There was the look-at-me move of flipping the ball to himself before throwing to first base on what would have been a routine groundout May 3 against Pittsburgh, creating a debate over whether it was showboating or showing off immense talent that threatened to break the Internet.

There were several at-bats where Franco hit an infield grounder and didn’t run hard to first. That could be viewed, or defended, as preventive maintenance given his previous leg-muscle issues. But on a sure hit, Franco busts out of the box, seeking to stretch it for an extra base. And he has been one of the team’s most aggressive base-stealers, swiping 18 (through Friday) while being caught a majors-most five times.

There also have been occasional heated words with teammates — most recently Tuesday in the dugout with Randy Arozarena — which happens at times in competitive moments.

That incident came shortly after Franco tried unsuccessfully to make the play on a grounder that third baseman Isaac Paredes had a better angle on, allowing Toronto to score a run. It wasn’t the first time there has been chatter about Franco over-reaching or ball-hogging to make a play.

Conversation, and any consternation, over these issues is at least in part a product of Franco’s standing in the game and something of a tradeoff.

Blessed with immense physical tools and baseball instincts, hyped and touted since he was a teenager, promoted at a young age to the majors, cemented in a prominent role on a winning team and rewarded with a contract that guarantees him $182 million by his early 30s, Franco is going to be held to a high standard and watched closely, from inside and outside the organization.

As much time as players spend together, petty jealousies — over things like perceived special treatment, a prime locker location or, in Franco’s case, an adjacent rack to hold several dozen pairs of cleats — can be common. Among more experienced players, they can provide something of a base for clubhouse teasing and humor.

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But for someone at an age where they still may be developing socially (especially in group dynamics), learning to control their emotions (especially in handling criticism) and maturing, that can create additional pressure.

The Rays seem to be understanding, viewing Franco as a good person still growing up and protecting him when they can. Notably, none of his perceived transgressions have drawn any public criticism from bosses or teammates.

“He’s a very talented, highly competitive, extremely motivated person who has ascended so fast it’s easy to forget he’s just 22,” Rays baseball operations president Erik Neander said.

“As we enjoy his impact, there remains a responsibility for our organization to continue to help him mature and develop the tools he needs to best manage the stresses attributable to the game, as we commit to do with all players.”

Franco isn’t the only Ray whose actions draw attention. Jose Siri showboats on a lot of catches and takes time to enjoy his home runs. Randy Arozarena’s arms-crossed gesture, especially when he stops to do it while rounding third after a homer, seems to rile opponents. Pete Fairbanks tends to be rather animated, and occasionally vocal, on the mound.

Plus, it should be pointed out, despite whatever distractions there may be, the Rays head into the Memorial Day weekend with the best record in the majors.

But Franco is the biggest deal, so he is going to get the most attention. The Rays are hoping he keeps working to make that for the good he does on the field.

Rays rumblings

As the Rays decide between Chris Adams-Wall, Gregg Caserta and Steven Cusumano for the radio pre-/postgame job, they also are conducting auditions and interviews for a new Tropicana Field PA announcer, after parting ways recently with Greg Kalil, who was in his 13th season. … Always expanding on his El Rayo nickname, Siri showed up in the clubhouse last week wearing a blue Lightning jersey with a white bolt on the front. … Among free-agent-to-be starters who could be available as the trade deadline nears — ex-Ray Blake Snell, who is 1-6 with a 5.40 ERA with San Diego. … Shortstop Carson Williams is ranked 12th in Kiley McDaniels’ updated top 50 prospects list for espn.com, with pitcher Taj Bradley 20th, infielder Junior Caminero 21st, first baseman Kyle Manzardo 46th. … There was a familiar-looking ringer in last week’s teacher/staff vs. fifth graders kickball game at St. Pete’s Shore Acres Elementary — former Rays pitcher/current TV analyst Doug Waechter, who claimed to go 3-for-4 with six RBIs in helping wife Kristen’s team to a 34-32 win. … The upcoming trip to Boston will provide some memories for third-base coach Brady Williams, who was last on the field at Fenway Park as a 16-year-old bat boy during the 1997 season when his dad, Jimy, took over as the Red Sox manager. … Starter Drew Rasmussen’s original prognosis of eight weeks with no throwing due to a May 11 flexor muscle strain was confirmed in a visit to specialist Dr. Keith Meister, who also administered an injection of Vitti-Pure (which utilizes umbilical cord tissue as an alternative to PRP) to accelerate healing. … Even though he is running the big-bucks Dodgers with a $223 million payroll that is triple the Rays’, Andrew Friedman is still using the same line — and line of thinking — as when he led Tampa Bay’s baseball operations department about the need to keep one eye on the present and one on the future. “That’s how you know it’s genuine,” he said. … Ray Negron, a St. Petersburg resident who works as a community adviser for the Yankees, recently received a Global Humanitarian Leadership Award from the Federation of World Peace and Love.

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