2018 MLB All-Star Game Futures Game Roster Review

WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 15: Startting pitcher Mitch Keller #23 of the Pittsburgh Pirates and the U.S. Team works the first inning against the World Team during the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game at Nationals Park on July 15, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 15: Startting pitcher Mitch Keller #23 of the Pittsburgh Pirates and the U.S. Team works the first inning against the World Team during the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game at Nationals Park on July 15, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
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MLB All-Star Game
WASHINGTON, DC – JULY 15: Startting pitcher Mitch Keller #23 of the Pittsburgh Pirates and the U.S. Team works the first inning against the World Team during the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game at Nationals Park on July 15, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)

The 20th annual Futures Game will take place at 4pm Eastern today on MLB Network and has become the opener of MLB All-Star Game week.

One of the highlights of MLB All-Star Game week is the annual Futures Game featuring MLB top prospects from across the game, exposing the more “common” fan to a number of players that will impact the major leagues within the next 2-3 seasons. This year’s game is the 20th playing of the event.

We will take a deep look at each roster so you can know who each player is to some degree when they come into the game!

First, the starting lineups for both teams, then we’ll go into more depth on each roster:

United States

Lineup
1. Adell, Angels, CF
2. Bichette, Blue Jays, SS
3. Rodgers, Rockies, 2B
4. Lowe, Rays, 1B
5. Hiura, Brewers, DH
6. Kirilloff, Twins, RF
7. Jansen, Blue Jays, C
8. Lewis, Mariners, LF
9. Hayes, Pirates, 3B

Starting Pitcher: Keller, Pirates

World

Lineup
1. Basabe, White Sox, CF
2. Tatis, Padres, SS
3. Diaz, Dodgers, LF
4. Matias, Royals, DH
5. Alvarez, Astros, 1B
6. Urias, Padres, 2B
7. Sanchez, Rays, RF
8. Amaya, Cubs, C
9. Lugo, Tigers, 3B

Starting Pitcher: Luzardo, Athletics

An interesting note that the host team Nationals have two players on rosters, but neither made the starting team, which is usually something that happens in the Future Game to allow the home team’s fans to see one of their team’s prospects featured.

The starting pitching matchup could be just about as good as you could put together in the minor leagues right now, with two of the 5-7 best pitching prospects in the entire game starting this game, which should add plenty of intrigue. What is missing is the top prospect in the land, Vladimir Guerrero, Jr., however.

We will start our deeper look at each roster with the outfielders on the United States team, then go through the infield and pitchers, then proceed to the World team in the same order:

Next: U.S. Outfield