Wander Franco is the subject of formal allegations from Dominican Republic prosecutors, as reported by Juan Arturo Recio of ESPN. The report states that Franco is formally accused of sexual abuse and sexual exploitation against a juvenile.
For the whole 2024 season, Franco has been placed on administrative leave. Since social media accusations surfaced in August of last year, he has not participated in major league baseball. Franco is said to have had intercourse with a girl who was 14 years old. In the Dominican Republic, consenting is at the age of 18.
Prosecutors said in January that Franco gave the girl’s mother thousands of dollars in exchange for her silence on the alleged mistreatment. Listín Diario reports in Spanish that the girl’s mother is accused of money laundering, sexual exploitation, and trafficking.
Prosecutors had earlier said they were thinking of charging Franco with money laundering, sexual exploitation, and commercial exploitation, but a court reduced the prospective accusations to psychological and sexual abuse. There is a possible two- to five-year prison sentence for such offenses. Prosecutors were given until July by the court to decide whether to file formal charges, and they have made that decision.
Before Franco faces any disciplinary action under MLB’s domestic violence/child abuse policy, the league is probably going to wait for the legal proceedings to conclude. When players are accused of a breach, the league is supposed to investigate. This is why administrative leave is not punitive. Franco’s vacation will be extended until the All-Star Break, per an agreement already made by MLB and the Players Association. They most likely will keep doing so till the D.R. legal process is concluded.
Sharks sign Sam Dickinson, a 2024 first-round pick in the NHL Draft
According to a team announcement, the Sharks have signed defenseman Sam Dickinson, their second-round selection from last month’s first round. The details of his three-year, entry-level deal were not made public; if he plays fewer than ten NHL games in each of the following two seasons, it may start as late as the 2026–2027 season.
Dickinson, a left-handed blue liner with a versatile game, is eighteen years old. The 6-foot-3 defender had 70 points with the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League in 68 games last season, including 18 goals and 52 assists. He also had a brilliant +56 rating. He won a gold medal with Canada’s U18 team at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup before to the season, and for his accomplishments, he was chosen to the OHL’s Second All-Star Team. He also added 13 points in 18 playoff games as the Knights won the 2024 OHL championship.
Being over 200 pounds in his draft year, he’s not as physically involved as you would want from a defenseman, which is probably why he dropped out of the top 10. Dickinson was ranked no lower than 10 by any significant public scouting websites and was the unanimous No. 6 prospect in TSN’s Bob McKenzie’s final NHL scout poll. Nevertheless, he sneaked to San Jose at 11 to support Macklin Celebrini, the first overall pick. Despite his lack of skill in blocking shots or laying the body, he is an excellent skater for his size and possesses strong two-way reflexes.
Although it doesn’t appear realistic, Dickinson won’t likely play in the NHL full-time next season or even get a nine-game tryout. But he could contest as early as 2025–2026 for a few minutes. However, according to the NHL-CHL transfer agreement, he must be loaned back to his junior team, if not in the NHL, before his age-20 season, thus a full-time assignment to the AHL won’t be possible for at least another two years.
Currently ranked higher than both 22-year-old Shakir Mukhamadullin and 23-year-old Henry Thrun—who played in 51 NHL games last season and averaged 20 minutes per night—he is the Sharks’ top defense prospect. Thrun should be a full-time member starting this autumn. With his upside for top-pairing, Dickinson’s long-term potential is probably best suited for second-pairing responsibilities.