MLB Twitter in love with Wander Franco's smooth flip and throw vs Pirates: "Baseball purists in hell"

Tampa Bay Rays phenom Wander Franco produced the highlight of the game in Wednesday night's contest against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

During the seventh inning, Pirates center fielder Bryan Reynolds hit a sharp grounder to Franco at shortstop. After fielding the ball, Franco transferred it from his glove to his throwing hand. Instead of immediately throwing it over to first base, he spun the ball in the air, caught it and proceeded to fire it to first just in time for the third out.

The official Twitter page of the Tampa Bay Rays posted a video of Franco's move.

"Just a casual five minutes in the life of Wander Franco," the team posted.

MLB fans on Twitter were absolutely in love with Wander Franco's skills. They couldn't stop praising him for his stunt.

"Baseball purists in hell," one fan said.

"A bunch of old racist sh**heads probably had a heart attack watching these and that is very cool and good," commented another.

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Wander Franco had a successful WBC

Wander Franco #5 of the Tampa Bay Rays jokes with a teammate after the end of the top of the third inning against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field on July 23, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)

Wander Franco played for the Dominican Republic in the 2023 World Baseball Classic. He played second base, splitting time with Ketel Marte, with Willy Adames and Jeremy Pena at shortstop.

Franco slashed .222/.417/.222 over nine at-bats in three games and led the team in walks with three alongside Juan Soto.