US Rules the World in MLB Futures Game; Matt Davidson Shines

Jul 14, 2013; Flushing , NY, USA; USA infielder

hits a two-run home run in the fourth inning during the 2013 All Star Futures Game at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

The World team hasn’t had much luck against the US club in recent years. In fact, with US’ 4-2 victory today at Citi Field, it marks the fourth straight year the US has taken the minor league All-Star Game of sorts. Household MiLB names like first pick in the 2012 draft, Byron Buxton (Twins), speedster Billy Hamilton (Astros), future ace Archie Bradley (Diamondbacks), and slick hitting Xander Bogaerts (Red Sox) were invited to play. All in all, according to Baseball America, 21 of the top 50 prospects from their preseason projections were in attendance.

However, it was the Diamondbacks’ Matt Davidson who stole the show as he hit a two-run home run off Michael Ynoa (A’s) in the fourth inning. At that point, the US team was down 2-1 before Davidson hit one into the left center field bleachers. Davidson owns a .291/.354/.500 slash line with 14 home runs and 59 RBI while playing for his native Reno Aces club in the Pacific Coast League.

Hitting wasn’t the total story even though the US team put up nine hits on the World club. Instead, it was the pitching reigning supreme. Other than Anthony Ranaudo‘s (Red Sox) rough outing (0.2 innings, two hits, two runs, two walks, and a home run allowed), the US team only gave up three hits total while striking out four, but allowed seven free passes. US pitchers coaxed three double plays out of the World hitters.

The World team wasn’t without some wins even in their loss. The aforementioned Bogaerts (.294/.390/.489 slash line across two minor league levels) had two of the World’s three hits along with a walk, a strikeout and a run scored out the three-hole. Meanwhile, Arismendy Alcantara (Cubs) smacked a solo shot off Ranaudo in the fourth inning. On the pitching side, seven of the team’s nine pitchers recorded at least one strikeout.

According to MLB.com, the US team has won nine of the 15 meetings between the two squads.