Top prospect Wander Franco homers in his MLB debut for Tampa Bay Rays

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If he felt any pressure playing in his first game as a major leaguer, Wander Franco of the Tampa Bay Rays didn’t show it. 

The consensus No. 1 prospect in the minor leagues hit a game-tying three-run home run Tuesday night against the division-leading Boston Red Sox to provide a glimpse of just why so many people have been eager to see him in a Rays uniform. 

MLB’s youngest player at age 20, the switch-hitting Franco started at third base and hit in the No. 2 spot against the Red Sox. He walked in his first plate appearance and hit a routine fly ball to center field his second time up. Then in the bottom of the fifth inning, he faced Boston left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez for a third time with two runners on base.

© Kim Klement, USA TODAY Sports Tampa Bay Rays infielder Wander Franco celebrates as he hits a 3-run home run during the fifth inning against the Boston Red Sox.

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Franco jumped on a breaking ball from Rodriguez and blasted it 362 feet into the left field stands for his first hit in the majors, tying the game 5-5. 

In the Rays’ seventh inning against reliever Josh Taylor, Franco doubled to left on a ball that left the bat at 105 mph.

In 39 games at Class AAA Durham (North Carolina), Franco hit .315/.367/.586 with seven home runs, 35 RBI, 30 runs and five stolen bases. 

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Top prospect Wander Franco homers in his MLB debut for Tampa Bay Rays