World Baseball Network has built a minor league contract signing ledger highlighting key international-born players whose signings may carry implications for the 2026 Major League Baseball season and the 2026 World Baseball Classic, scheduled for this upcoming March.
On December 22, the San Diego Padres signed Panamanian right-handed pitcher Sadrac Franco to a minor league contract.
BUENA NOTICIA⚾️⛽️?
El lanzador Chiricano Sadrac Franco firma con los Padres de San Diego contrato de ligas menores.
Franco con una recta que alcanza las 100 mph sigue en busca de sus sueño de llegar a las Grandes Ligas. pic.twitter.com/ma607Y0MrV— MLBPTY (@mlbptyoficial) December 22, 2025
Panamanian freelance reporter Aurelio Ortiz also reported that Franco signed with the Padres on December 22.
⚾️? BUENAS NOTICIAS PRE NAVIDAD?⚾️
El lanzador chiricano Sadrac Franco firmó un acuerdo de ligas menores con los Padres de San Diego para el 2026.
Actualmente Franco es cerrador de los Jaguares de Nayarit en la Liga del Pacífico de ??.
La recta de Franco toca las 100 millas. pic.twitter.com/HSWc1n1biP— Aurelio Ortiz (@AurelioOrtiz31) December 22, 2025
The 25-year-old right-hander from David, Panama, is currently pitching during the 2025–26 Liga ARCO Mexicana del Pacífico regular season with the Jaguares de Nayarit.
During the 2025–26 winter league season, Franco has gone 2–0 with a 0.89 ERA across 16 appearances out of the bullpen. He has recorded six saves, throwing 20.1 innings, allowing 13 hits, two earned runs, two walks, and striking out 11 batters, while posting a 0.738 WHIP entering Tuesday.
Last season, Franco was with the San Francisco Giants organization, splitting time between High-A Eugene and Double-A Richmond.
Franco did not factor into a decision in any of his 15 relief appearances between High-A Eugene and Double-A Richmond, while posting a 3.38 ERA. He threw 21.1 innings, allowing 18 hits, eight earned runs, one home run, nine walks, and struck out 20 batters, prior to electing free agency on November 6, 2025.
During the 2024 season, Franco pitched in the Los Angeles Angels organization at both the Arizona Complex League level and with Low-A Inland Empire.
Across both levels in 2024, Franco went 2–1 and posted a 1.93 ERA in 10 appearances, including two starts. He threw 18.2 innings, allowing 12 hits, four earned runs, four home runs, nine walks, and struck out 25 batters, while posting a 1.125 WHIP.
Franco originally signed with the Angels organization as an international free agent on July 2, 2017, before being released on September 7, 2024.
He later signed a minor league contract with the Detroit Tigers on October 30, 2024, before being selected by the San Francisco Giants via a Rule 5 Draft purchase agreement on December 11, 2024.
Across six minor league seasons, Franco owns an 8–12 record with a 4.17 ERA in 83 appearances, including 14 starts. He has recorded five saves, thrown 157.2 innings, allowed 148 hits, 73 earned runs, 17 home runs, issued 73 walks, struck out 162 batters, and posted a 1.402 WHIP.
Franco’s strong performance during the 2025–26 winter season places him among the Panamanian pitchers to watch as Panama’s 2026 World Baseball Classic manager José Mayorga evaluates bullpen options ahead of the March tournament.
Panama will compete in Pool A alongside host nation Puerto Rico, Colombia, Cuba, and Canada from March 6–11 at Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
