Franco was signed as an international free agent by the Houston Astros on July 4,2009.[1] He spent the 2010 with the DSL Astros,going 1–3 with a 3.67 ERA in 34 innings. He spent the 2011 season with the Gulf Coast Astros,going 1–2 with a 4.40 ERA in 47 innings. He returned to the GCL Astros in 2012,going 3–2 with a 4.86 ERA in 50 innings. In 2013,he played for the Greeneville Astros,going 2–5 with a 5.05 ERA in 51.2 innings.[2]
Tampa Bay Rays
On December 13,2013,Franco was selected by the Tampa Bay Rays in the minor league phase of the Rule 5 draft.[3] He played for the Low-A Hudson Valley Renegades in 2014,going 7–3 with a 3.28 ERA and 50 strikeouts in 68+2⁄3 innings. Franco opened the 2015 season with the Bowling Green Hot Rods, going 5–6 with a 3.89 ERA and 47 strikeouts in 71+2⁄3 innings.[4]
Miami Marlins
On July 3, 2015, Franco was traded to the Miami Marlins in exchange for international bonus slots.[4] He finished the 2015 season with the Single-A Greensboro Grasshoppers, going 1–6 with 7.29 ERA and 37 strikeouts in 54 innings.
On January 24, 2019, Franco signed a minor league with the San Francisco Giants.[10] He spent the 2019 minor league season with the Triple–A Sacramento River Cats, going 6–5 with a 5.97 ERA in 113 innings.[11]
On September 15, 2019, the Giants selected Franco's contract and promoted him to the major leagues.[12] He made his major league debut on September 18 versus the Boston Red Sox, allowing one run over one inning of relief.[13] In 2019 in five relief appearances for the Giants, he pitched 5+1⁄3 innings and had a 3.38 ERA.[14] On June 30, 2020, Franco was outrighted off of the 40-man roster.[15] He did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.[16] Franco became a free agent on November 2.[17]
Lotte Giants
On November 21, 2020, Franco signed a $245K contract with the Lotte Giants of the KBO League. The contract also includes a $55K signing bonus.[18] He made his KBO debut on April 6, 2021. Franco became a free agent following the season.
Generales de Durango
On March 2, 2022, Franco signed with the Generales de Durango of the Mexican League.[19] In 6 starts, he posted a 0–3 record with a 9.85 ERA over 28+1⁄3 innings pitched. Franco was released on May 25.[20]
Fubon Guardians
On June 17, 2022, Franco signed with the Fubon Guardians of the Chinese Professional Baseball League.[21] He appeared in 40 contests for the team down the stretch, 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, recording a stellar 0.95 ERA with 71 strikeouts and 9 saves across 66+1⁄3 innings of work.[22] Franco re-signed with the Guardians on January 15, 2024. In 61 relief appearances for the team, he compiled a 4-6 record and 2.34 ERA with 56 strikeouts and 20 saves across 57+2⁄3 innings pitched.
On February 14, 2025, Franco re-signed with the Guardians.[23] In 37 relief appearances for the team, he posted a 4-1 record and 1.90 ERA with 34 strikeouts and one save across 42+2⁄3 innings pitched. On August 11, Franco was released by the Guardians.[24] When questioned, manager Chin-Feng Chen explained that he was prioritizing starting pitchers over relievers.[25]
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