MLB Futures Game: Five must-see players at baseball's prospects showcase
The 19th Futures Game, Major League Baseball’s showcase of emerging talent, takes on even greater relevance as twentysomething players seem all the more likely to make immediate impacts in the big leagues.
The July 9 game at Miami’s Marlins Park almost assuredly will feature players who will soon leave footprints – big ones, perhaps – at the game’s highest level.
Here are five can’t-miss players on the USA and World rosters released Thursday:
Brendan Rodgers, Rockies
Age: 20
Position: Shortstop
Affiliate: Class AA Hartford Yard Goats
The dirt: Rodgers may haunt the Arizona Diamondbacks for years to come. He was chosen third overall in the 2015 draft, two spots behind another shortstop, Dansby Swanson – who the D’backs suddenly decided they didn’t want a few months later.
They might have been better off taking Rodgers from the get-go. He posted unfair numbers over 48 games in the hitter-friendly California League: a .400 average, .419 on-base percentage and .700 slugging, with 36 of his 84 hits going for extra bases. He’s just six games into his promotion to the Eastern League.
Trevor Story’s stunning emergence came after the Rockies drafted Rodgers, but they may soon have to make room for Rodgers, who looks more like their next Troy Tulowitzki with every level he passes.
Bo Bichette, Blue Jays
Age: 19
Position: Shortstop
Affiliate: Low Class A Lansing (Mich.) Lug Nuts
The dirt: Son of Dante, brother of Dante Jr., Bichette has so far dominated his levels, although the toughest two tests remain at high-A and AA. Playing against competition on average two years older, Bichette has produced a .398/.458/.622 line, utilizing a violent swing that figures to produce long balls in the long haul.
Whether he sticks at shortstop is another question, but it’s already enticing to ponder how Bichette’s power may further blossom as he gets older.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Blue Jays
Age: 18
Position: Third base
Affiliate: Low Class A Lansing (Mich.) Lug Nuts
The dirt: Lansing finished fourth in the Midwest League first half, but certainly led the circuit in bloodlines. Guerrero’s father will likely make the Hall of Fame, and he’s certainly passed on both the talent and approach to his son. Like Bichette, Guerrero is holding his own against older competition, batting .311 with an .851 OPS.
Already 6-1, 200 pounds, Guerrero seems to have pushed even higher the ceiling the Blue Jays envisioned when they gave him a $3.9 millon signing bonus.
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Eloy Jimenez, Cubs
Age: 20
Position: Outfield
Affiliate: High Class A Myrtle Beach (S.C.)
The dirt: Nope, the talent pipeline to Wrigley Field isn’t dry yet. Baseball America’s No. 14 prospect entering the season, Jimenez hasn’t disappointed, posting a .356 OBP and seven home runs. He homered in last year’s Futures Game, and for now has had the luxury of a methodical climb toward the major leagues.
In a season slowly turning sideways on the Cubs, Jimenez could conceivably be dangled in trade talks should they need reinforcements, though the Cubs could be loathe to empty the cupboard further after surrending No. 1 prospect Gleyber Torres and others last summer.
Michael Kopech, White Sox
Age: 21
Position: Pitcher
Affiliate: Class AA Birmingham
The dirt: White Sox fans annoyed to see Yoan Moncada repeat the Futures Game – rather than slugging home runs on the South Side – can soothe their angst by watching another cog in the Chris Sale trade do work.
Kopech has backed up the considerable hype – he reached 110 mph on a max velocity throw during a winter workout – with a solid season at AA. He’s struck out 94 batters in 72 innings, though an ugly walk rate – 46 in 72 innings – means there’s plenty to clean up before he moves up the ladder.
That’s a greater concern for White Sox management. Watching Kopech turn it loose for an inning or two at Marlins Park should be an aesthetic pleasure.
U.S. Team
Pitchers
RHP Beau Burrows, Tigers, AA
RHP Jon Duplantier, Diamondbacks, A+
RHP Jack Flaherty, Cardinals, AAA
LHP Foster Griffin, Royals, AA
RHP Jimmy Herget, Reds, AAA
RHP Brett Honeywell, Rays, AAA
RHP Michael Kopech, White Sox, AA
RHP Triston McKenzie, Indians, A+
LHP A.J. Puk, Athletics, AA
LHP Tanner Scott, Orioles, AA
Catchers
Zack Collins, White Sox, A
Chance Sisco, Orioles, AAA
Infielders
Brian Anderson, Malrins, AA
Bo Bichette, Blue Jays, A+
Nick Gordon, Twins, AA
Rhys Hoskins, Phillies, AAA
Scott Kingery, Phillies, AAA
Ryan McMahon, Rockies, AAA
Brendan Rodgers, Rockies AA
Nick Senzel, Reds, AA
Outfielders
Lewis Brinson, Brewers AAA
Derek Fisher, Astros, AAA
Corey Ray, Brewers, AA
Bryan Reynolds, Giants, A+
Kyle Tucker, Astros, AAA
World Team
Pitchers
RHP Domingo Acevedo, Yankees, AA
RHP Yadier Alvarez, Dodgers, A+
RHP Jaime Barria, Angels, AA
RHP Luis Escobar, Pirates, A
RHP Tayron Guerrero, Marlins, AA
RHP Jonathan Hernandez, Rangers, A+
LHP Jairo Labourt, Tigers, AA
RHP Cal Quantrill, Padres, A+
RHP Mike Soroka, Braves, A+
RHP Thyago Vieira, Mariners, AA
Catchers
Francisco Mejia, Indians, AA
*Tomas Nido, Mets, AA
**Victor Caratini, Cubs, AAA
Infielders
Yordan Alvarez, Astros, A+
Rafael Devers, Red Sox, AA
Mauricio Dubon, Brewers, AA
Lucius Fox, Rays, A
Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Blue Jays, A
Yoan Moncada, White Sox, AAA
Josh Naylor, Padres, A
Amed Rosario, Mets, AAA
Outfielders
Ronald Acuna, Braves, AA
Estevan Florial, Yankees, A
Eloy Jimenez, Cubs, A
Victor Robles, Nationals, AA
Alex Verdugo, Dodgers, AAA
*Injured **Promoted
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