Welbyn Francisca

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Cleveland Guardians #6 prospect in 2025
  BA Grade/Risk: 55/Very High.
  
  Track Record: Francisca was the top player in Cleveland’s 2023 international signing class and stood out for his pure hitting ability as a switch-hitter. He played well in the Dominican Summer League in 2023 then made an excellent stateside debut in 2024 when he slashed .327/.411/.474 with 18 doubles and 19 stolen bases in 74 games between the Arizona Complex League and Low-A Lynchburg.
  
  Scouting Report: Francisca is a small and wiry infielder with a 5-foot-11, 178-pound frame and an infectious, high-energy style. He has short and compact swing from both sides of the plate which matches his physicality, and the above-average contact skills and approach that describes many hitters Cleveland targets. He controls the zone well with a selectively aggressive approach, though his strikeout rate jumped from 12.4% to 20.5% when he moved from the complex to the Carolina League. He’s shown an ability to recognize pitch types but will need more reps against higher quality secondaries. Francisca’s diminutive frame makes him a hit-over-power offensive profile who might never develop even average power, but he did manage shockingly impressive exit velocity numbers for his age and size and has above-average bat speed. He’s an above-average runner with short strides and went 19-for-22 on the bases with more than enough range for either middle-infield position. Francisca is an instinctive, high-effort defender with the hands for shortstop, though his solid-average arm strength might be stretched on difficult plays deep in the hole. He could be a solid defender at shortstop but a plus defender at second base.
  
  The Future: Francisca will play his age-19 season in 2025 at Low-A Lynchburg. Much of his upside will depend on how much strength and physicality he’s able to add, but he’s already met expectations.
  
  Scouting Grades Hit: 55 | Power: 40 | Run: 55 | Field: 55 | Arm: 50.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 40 | Run: 55 | Field: 55 | Arm: 50.
• 
  Ranked Cleveland Guardians #12 prospect in 2024
  BA Grade: 55/Extreme
  
  Track Record: Francisca was Cleveland’s top signing in the 2023 international market. He made his professional debut later in the year, just a few weeks after his 17th birthday, and started his career in the Dominican Summer League. He is nicknamed “Phosphorus” for his dynamic game and personality.
  
  Scouting Report: A switch-hitter, Francisca has long stood out for his natural feel for hitting and his offensive profile is a familiar one for the Guardians. He has a rhythmic swing with above-average hand-eye coordination and his feel for the barrel leads to a lot of contact. His profile is hit over power, but he produces above-average bat speed and he could add more power as he physically matures and learns to drive the ball more often. Francisca has the defensive tools to stay up the middle with some viewing a move to second base as likely, while others believe he can stay at shortstop. His above-average speed and average arm strength give him a chance to develop at shortstop.
  
  The Future: Francisca has an exciting overall skill set, and his debut summer was encouraging. He’ll look to keep progressing in 2024 as he makes his U.S. debut in the Arizona Complex League.
  
  Scouting Grades Hit: 55 | Power: 40 | Run: 55 | Field: 55 | Arm: 50