MLB Futures Game: Who To Watch During the Game

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The MLB Futures Game is a great chance to watch some of the top prospects in the game face off against one another. Here are four prospects, two from each side, to keep an eye on during the game today.

The MLB Futures Game is one of the great events during All Star Weekend. It is a chance for some of the top prospects in the game to face off against one another, giving these players an idea as to how they stack up against the top talent in the minors.

It is also a great opportunity for the fans to see those players who are expected to become future stars in the majors. While most fans know the top prospects in the game, and the top minor league talent on their favorite team, some of these other prospects can slide under the radar. This is a chance to see those players that, for whatever reason, may have escaped one’s attention.

However, there are certain players that will stand out, regardless of their prospect status. Some players, no matter how well known, are worth the price of admission. So, let us take a look at four players to keep an eye on in the exhibition. Two players will come from the United States team, and two from the World team, with a pitcher and a hitter to keep an eye on.

Here are those players to keep an eye on in the MLB Future Game.

Mandatory Credit: Donald Miralle /Allsport /

Michael Kopech – Chicago White Sox

At this point, there are few baseball fans or prospect hounds that have not heard of Michael Kopech. Armed with an incredible fastball, Kopech has fired his way into the national consciousness.

A consensus top 40 prospect heading into the season, Kopech has dazzled with his fastball when he has been on the mound. The problem is that he has not always been able to take his turn on the hill, missing time due to a PED suspension and a broken hand suffered when he punched a teammate. However, with that fastball that is routinely clocked at 102 MPH or higher, there is no questioning his talent.

Unfortunately, along with that high octane fastball comes a myriad of control issues. While Kopech has allowed just 56 hits in 78.1 innings, while striking out 101 batters, he has also issued 53 walks. Those command problems are a large part of why he has averaged under five innings per start.

While there may be questions as to what his long term future holds, Kopech is still going to turn heads with his electric stuff. After all, this is the pitcher who had a fastball come in at 105 MPH on the radar gun, and the pitcher taking the reading did not think twice. If he does end up in the bullpen in the long term, Kopech could be quite the weapon.

Later today, those watching the MLB Futures Game may get to see him on the mound. Just don’t blink, because you might miss his heater.

Kyle Tucker – Houston Astros

The Houston Astros have a truly loaded system, with five players in the top 100 prospects. Of those players, Kyle Tucker may end up as the crown jewel of the system.

While the Astros have occasionally missed with their top draft picks, they appear to have hit a home run with Tucker. At just 20 years old, he has moved up to the AA level, and has not missed a beat. Not only is Tucker still displaying his solid power and speed profile, but his batting eye has continued to impress.

Thus far in 2017, across two levels, Tucker has produced a combined .288/.366/.553 batting line, hitting 17 homers and stealing 19 bases. Interestingly, Tucker produced a .288 batting average and a .553 slugging percentage at both Buies Creek and Corpus Christi, showing remarkable consistency. He has also drawn 35 walks in 352 plate appearances, striking out just 79 times.

While the Astros have plenty of outfield depth this season, it would not be a surprise if Tucker forced his way to the major league level at some point next year. His impressive abilities at the plate, along with his batting eye, should only improve as he continues to develop. As impressive as he has been thus far in his professional career, Tucker could only be scratching the surface of his abilities.

Kyle Tucker looks like a superstar in the making. By this time next year, he could be a fixture for the Astros.

Domingo Acevedo – New York Yankees

Right now, the New York Yankees reloading has been held back by a lack of starting pitching. Domingo Acevedo could change that soon.

Held back by injuries during his career, Acevedo has finally been healthy this season. This has given him the chance to prove that he can be a part of the Yankees future, something he has done this season. Armed with a fastball that routinely hits 100 MPH and a devastating changeup, Acevedo is quite capable of making opponents look foolish.

Across three levels in 2017, Acevedo has dominated. Overall, he has a 3.09 ERA and a 1.212 WHiP. In his 99 innings, he has struck out 107 batters while issuing 23 walks. Acevedo has also displayed an impressive ability to keep the ball in the yard, allowing just six home runs this season. That skill will certainly come in handy at Yankee Stadium, and around the AL East.

There are still a few growing pains for Acevedo to work through. In his two starts at AAA, he allowed 12 hits and eight walks in his 12.1 innings. However, at 23 years old, and in his first full season in his career, he still he plenty of time to develop into a key part of the Yankees future.

If this season is any indication, his time could come quickly. The Yankees need arms, and Domingo Acevedo has the pure stuff to make an impact soon.

Eloy Jimenez – Chicago Cubs

In one of the most famous scenes from The Natural, Roy Hobbs took out a light tower with a home run. Eloy Jimenez may not have taken out an entire tower, but he has hit the lights twice in the past month with his mammoth homers.

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After making slow progress through the Cubs system, Jimenez finally broke through in a major way. He actually introduced himself to the world last season during the MLB Futures Game, showing off his amazing power and ability. This year, he is looking to build on that introduction.

Thus far in 2017, Jimenez has taken that step forward the Cubs were hoping for. He has a .271/.351/.490 batting line, hitting eight home runs in 174 plate appearances. This comes after Jimenez, as a 19 year old playing in full season ball, hit 14 homers and 40 doubles for the South Bend Cubs in the Midwest League.

Chances are, Jimenez is still a couple of years away from making an impact at the major league level. Likewise, given the impressive depth in the Cubs farm system, there is no guarantee that he will make his debut with Chicago. Nonetheless, given his raw power and impressive swing, Jimenez is the type of player that can be a building block for years to come.

Next: Honeywell keeping sights on big picture

Eloy Jimenez is capable of sending the ball quite a long distance with one swing of the bat. Maybe he’ll put another ball into the lights during the MLB Futures Game.

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