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MLB has just unveiled the rosters for the highly anticipated 2024 Futures Game, set to take place on Saturday, July 13, in Arlington, Texas, as part of the All-Star Weekend festivities. This seven-inning exhibition game will showcase a dazzling array of baseball's top prospects, offering fans a glimpse into the sport's promising future.
Who to watch in this year's Futures Game?
Leading the pack on the National League (NL) side is the dynamic Washington Nationals outfield duo of James Wood and Dylan Crews. However, with Wood recently promoted to the big leagues, his spot will be replaced by a yet-to-be-named rising star. The American League (AL) roster features New York Yankees' prospect Spencer Jones, who promises to be a standout player in the game.
According to MLB.com's Jim Callis, an impressive 39 players from MLB's current top-100 prospects list will be participating in the Futures Game. Among them, Wood is the highest-ranked prospect at No. 2 overall, while Crews, the No. 2 pick in the 2023 draft, holds the No. 4 spot. Other top-10 prospects include San Diego Padres catcher Ethan Salas (No. 6), Boston Red Sox shortstop Marcelo Mayer (No. 7), and Detroit Tigers outfielder Max Clark (No. 10).
Prior to his promotion, Wood was hitting an outstanding .353/.463/.595 with 10 homers, 37 RBI, and 10 stolen bases in 52 games at Triple-A. Crews, who was promoted to Triple-A on June 18, has been equally impressive with a .789 OPS in 51 games at Double-A Harrisburg. Jones, the Yankees' No. 2 prospect and No. 75 overall, has a .252/.332/.420 slash line with nine homers and 45 RBI in 65 games for Double-A Somerset.
The exciting new Futures Skills showcase!
In addition to the Futures Game, MLB has introduced a new Futures Skills Showcase, set to follow the game at Globe Life Field. This event will feature eight players-four from each league-competing in various hitting challenges designed to test and display their offensive prowess.
The three-round event includes:
- Hit-It-Here Competition: Players earn points based on where they hit the ball on the field.
- Call-Your-Shot Event: Players specify which part of the field they will hit the ball to, earning points for successful hits to left, center, and right fields.
- Swing for the Fences: Essentially a Home Run Derby where points are awarded based on the direction of the home run, with pull-side or center-field homers worth six points and opposite-field blasts worth 12 points. Bonus points are awarded for hitting more than two consecutive homers.
The rosters:
American League
- Pitchers
A.J. Blubaugh, RHP, Astros
Caden Dana, RHP, Angels
Ben Kudrna, RHP, Royals
Luis Morales, RHP, Athletics
Fernando Perez, RHP, Blue Jays
Winston Santos, RHP, Rangers
Noah Schultz, LHP, White Sox
Brock Selvidge, LHP, Yankees
Emiliano Teodo, RHP, Rangers
- Catchers
Samuel Basallo, Orioles
Harry Ford, Mariners
Kyle Teel, Red Sox
- Infielders
Xavier Isaac, Rays
Brooks Lee, Twins*
Hao-Yu Lee, Tigers
Marcelo Mayer, Red Sox
Colson Montgomery, White Sox
Ralphy Velazquez, Guardians
Sebastian Walcott, Rangers*
Cole Young, Mariners
- Outfielders
Jaison Chourio, Guardians
Max Clark, Tigers
Gavin Cross, Royals
Spencer Jones, Yankees
Chandler Simpson, Rays
- Futures Skills Showcase
Roman Anthony, Red Sox
Tre' Morgan, Rays
National League
- Pitchers
Bubba Chandler, Pirates
Chase Dollander, Rockies
Tink Hence, Cardinals
Rhett Lowder, Reds
Quinn Mathews, Cardinals
Noble Meyer, Marlins
Robby Snelling, Padres
Brandon Sproat, Mets
Thomas White, Marlins
- Catchers
Drake Baldwin, Braves
Thayron Liranzo, Dodgers
Ethan Salas, Padres
- Infielders
Cam Collier, Reds*
Deyvison De Los Santos, D-backs
Bryce Eldridge, Giants
Termarr Johnson, Pirates*
Aidan Miller, Phillies
Jeral Perez, Dodgers
Cooper Pratt, Brewers
Matt Shaw, Cubs
- Outfielders
Owen Caissie, Cubs
Justin Crawford, Phillies
Dylan Crews, Nationals
Druw Jones, D-backs
James Wood, Nationals
- Futures Skills Showcase
Moises Ballesteros, Cubs
Brady House, Nationals
With so much young talent on display, the 2024 Futures Game and the newly added Futures Skills Showcase promise to be must-watch events for any baseball fan eager to see the future stars of the sport in action!