1. Birth and Background
Enderson Daniel Franco was born on December 29, 1992. He is a Venezuelan national, originating from Venezuela.
2. Professional Career
Enderson Franco's professional baseball career has spanned multiple leagues and organizations across North America and Asia, beginning with his signing as an international free agent and progressing through various minor league systems before reaching the major leagues and then playing internationally.
2.1. Houston Astros Organization
Franco began his professional career when he was signed by the Houston Astros as an international free agent on July 4, 2009. He spent the 2010 season with the DSL Astros, where he recorded a 1-3 win-loss record with a 3.67 ERA over 34 innings. In 2011, he played for the Gulf Coast Astros, achieving a 1-2 record and a 4.40 ERA in 47 innings. He returned to the GCL Astros in 2012, posting a 3-2 record with a 4.86 ERA in 50 innings. His 2013 season saw him with the Greeneville Astros, where he went 2-5 with a 5.05 ERA in 51 and two-thirds innings.
2.2. Tampa Bay Rays Organization
On December 13, 2013, Franco was selected by the Tampa Bay Rays in the minor league phase of the Rule 5 draft. He played for the Low-A Hudson Valley Renegades in 2014, compiling a 7-3 record with a 3.28 ERA and 50 strikeouts in 68 and two-thirds innings. Franco started the 2015 season with the Bowling Green Hot Rods, where he had a 5-6 record, a 3.89 ERA, and 47 strikeouts in 71 and two-thirds innings.
2.3. Miami Marlins Organization
On July 3, 2015, Franco was traded to the Miami Marlins in exchange for international bonus slots. He completed the 2015 season with the Single-A Greensboro Grasshoppers, where he recorded a 1-6 record with a 7.29 ERA and 37 strikeouts in 54 innings.
2.4. Atlanta Braves Organization
On December 10, 2015, Franco was again selected in the minor league phase of the Rule 5 draft, this time by the Atlanta Braves. In 2016, he played for the High-A Carolina Mudcats, going 6-12 with a 4.69 ERA and 97 strikeouts in 144 innings, which ranked him third in the Carolina League for innings pitched. He split the 2017 season between the Single-A Rome Braves, High-A Florida Fire Frogs, and the Triple-A Gwinnett Braves, accumulating a combined 6-6 record with a 3.86 ERA and 103 strikeouts in 120 innings. In 2018, Franco split his time between the Double-A Mississippi Braves and Triple-A Gwinnett Stripers, achieving a combined 7-9 record with a 3.85 ERA and 131 strikeouts in 132 innings. Following the 2018 season, he elected free agency on November 2.
2.5. Major League Baseball (MLB)
After a long career in the minor leagues, Enderson Franco made his debut in Major League Baseball, the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada.
2.5.1. San Francisco Giants
On January 24, 2019, Franco signed a minor league contract with the San Francisco Giants. He spent the majority of the 2019 minor league season with the Triple-A Sacramento River Cats, where he posted a 6-5 record with a 5.97 ERA in 113 innings.
On September 15, 2019, the Giants selected Franco's contract and promoted him to the major leagues. He made his MLB debut on September 18 against the Boston Red Sox, allowing one run over one inning of relief. In 2019, he made five relief appearances for the Giants, pitching 5 and one-third innings with a 3.38 ERA. On June 30, 2020, Franco was outrighted off the 40-man roster. He did not play in a game during the 2020 season due to the cancellation of the minor league season as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Franco became a free agent on November 2, 2020.
2.6. KBO League
Following his time in MLB, Enderson Franco moved to the KBO League in South Korea, where he played for the Lotte Giants.
2.6.1. Lotte Giants
On November 21, 2020, Franco signed a contract with the Lotte Giants of the KBO League worth 245.00 K USD, which included a 55.00 K USD signing bonus. He was brought in to replace fellow foreign pitcher Adrian Sampson. He made his KBO debut on April 6, 2021. Franco became a free agent after the season concluded.
2.7. Mexican League
After his stint in the KBO, Franco played briefly in the Mexican League.
2.7.1. Generales de Durango
On March 2, 2022, Franco signed with the Generales de Durango of the Mexican League. In six starts for the team, he recorded a 0-3 win-loss record with a 9.85 ERA over 28 and one-third innings pitched. Franco was released by the team on May 25, 2022.
2.8. Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL)
Enderson Franco then transitioned to the Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL) in Taiwan, where he has had a significant impact as a relief pitcher.
2.8.1. Fubon Guardians
On June 17, 2022, Franco signed with the Fubon Guardians of the Chinese Professional Baseball League. He appeared in 40 games for the team during the remainder of the season, recording a 4.41 ERA with 94 strikeouts and 10 saves in 100 innings pitched.
In 2023, Franco made 52 appearances out of the bullpen, achieving a stellar 0.95 ERA with 71 strikeouts and 9 saves across 66 and one-third innings of work. Franco re-signed with the Guardians on January 15, 2024. In 61 relief appearances for the team during the 2024 season, he compiled a 4-6 record and a 2.34 ERA with 56 strikeouts and 20 saves across 57 and two-thirds innings pitched. On February 14, 2025, Franco re-signed with the Guardians for the upcoming season.
3. International Competition Participation
Enderson Franco has also represented his home country of Venezuela in international baseball competitions.
3.1. World Baseball Classic
Franco was selected as a member of the Venezuela national baseball team for the 2017 World Baseball Classic. He was listed on the team's roster for the tournament.