2018 MLB All-Star Game Futures Game Roster Review

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

Catchers

Danny Jansen, Toronto Blue Jays, AAA – Originally drafted in 2013, Jansen struggled through injuries before breaking through last season, ascending 3 levels. He’s been at AAA all season, and he’s hitting for contact and great on-base this year, with a .286/.409/.482 line.

Andrew Knizner, St. Louis Cardinals, AA/AAA – Originally a third baseman, the Cardinals have developed Knizner into a quality backstop, but most didn’t know who he was until he put up a .940 OPS in the Arizona Fall League last season. He’s put together another impressive campaign this year, hitting .310/.376/.418.

Corner Infielders

Peter Alonso, New York Mets, AA/AAA – Alonso was known for his power at the University of Florida, but many were not sure how that would translate to the pro game. So far, so good in that respect. While he might be best as a DH, Alonso’s bat is not going to be the issue, as he is hitting .280/.410/.539 with 21 home runs on the season.

Ke’Bryan Hayes, Pittsburgh Pirates, AA – A similar player to his dad, who was a stellar defender with good contact skills, Hayes is showing out with all of that in the upper minors this year at 21. He is hitting .293/.361/.454 on the season, pounding out the doubles with 21 on the year as well as 6 triples and 4 home runs.

Nathaniel Lowe, Tampa Bay Rays, high-A/AA – A 13th round pick in 2016, Lowe is a big, burly guy, but even his size didn’t portend the hitting he’s put together this season, as he’s hit .349/.429/.590 thus far this year with 18 home runs.

Ryan Mountcastle, Baltimore Orioles, AA – Mountcastle has made the move to third base, and he’s worked on his patience at the plate, allowing him to match his 2017 walk total already at this point in the season, in spite of starting the year late. Mountcastle is currently hitting .314/.365/.505 with 8 home runs in 59 games.

Middle Infielders

Bo Bichette, Toronto Blue Jays, AA – Bichette’s completely blown up as a prospect since being selected in the 2nd round in 2016. While he’s not hitting near .400 this year, a .272/.331/.433 line in AA at 20 is still excellent.

Keston Hiura, Milwaukee Brewers, high-A/AA – Considered the best pure hitter in the 2017 draft, Hiura may be a tough fit defensively down the road, but for right now, his bat is certainly playing well, as he’s hitting .308/.370/.498 this year with 27 doubles and 10 home runs.

Carter Kieboom, Washington Nationals, high-A/AA – If not for an injury in 2017, Kieboom could have been a guy with the same sort of reputation as Bichette. Instead, he’s doing it this year at 20 in high-A and AA, where he’s combined to hit .300/.380/.480 with 13 home runs.

Brendan Rodgers, Colorado Rockies, AA – While his glove has come along significantly to the point where he’s a possible shortstop long-term, Rodgers’ bat has stalled a bit at AA, hitting for power, but struggling with some pitch recognition, as he has a .270/.333/.508 line with 17 home runs.

My starters – I’d go with Jansen, Mountcastle, Bichette, and Lowe in the lineup in some way along with Kieboom for the local flavor. Alonso would make sense as a DH.

Next: U.S. Pitchers

Right-Handers

Shaun Anderson, San Francisco Giants, AA – A guy that was underrated coming out of the University of Florida in a loaded rotation, the Giants have seen Anderson develop into a strong starter, with a 3.45 ERA and 93 strikeouts over 94 innings.

Dylan Cease, Chicago White Sox, high-A/AA – The White Sox acquired Cease around a year ago from the Chicago Cubs,a nd he’s really taken big strides in his control and command this season, with a 2.95 combined ERA over 88 1/3 innings, striking out 105 and walking just 35.

Hunter Greene, Cincinnati Reds, low-A – With a fastball that could touch 102 in high school, Greene was well-known as a possible top overall selection in the 2017 draft. He got off to a rough start to his first full season, but he’s been tremendous since May 1st, with a 3.25 ERA in that time compared to a 4.69 ERA overall. He’s struck out 80 and walked 20 this season in just 63 1/3 innings.

Dakota Hudson, St. Louis Cardinals, AAA – Seemingly forgotten in the Cardinals pitching mix, Hudson was a highly regarded arm coming out of Mississippi State in the 2016 draft, and he’s put up a 2.42 ERA over 104 1/3 innings.

Mitch Keller, Pittsburgh Pirates, high-A/AA/AAA – The top-rated pitcher pre-season coming into the season that’s playing in this game, Keller was injured a bit to open the season, but he’s quickly got underway, and he’s showing very well, with a 3.65 ERA over 98 2/3 innings with 91 strikeouts.

Matt Manning, Detroit Tigers, low-A/high-A – Taking his time to build up his arm, Manning is getting his first full season without major restrictions from the Tigers this season, and he’s showing well, with a 3.15 ERA over 65 2/3 innings, sporting an impressive 33/90 BB/K ratio.

Luis Ortiz, Milwaukee Brewers, AA – Ascending up the minors quickly before the Rangers traded him to the Brewers, Ortiz has seemingly hit a bit of a wall at AA, in his third season at the level, but he has been used in a sort of long-relief role this year, maxing out most of the year at 4 innings, and he’s shown very good in his BB/K with a 16/53 BB/K ratio over 52 innings.

Kyle Wright, Atlanta Braves, AA – An elite college pitcher that the Braves were overjoyed to see coming to them at 5th overall in the 2017 draft, Wright has moved quickly to the upper minors. With Mississippi this year, hes tossed 94 1/3 innings, striking out 96.

Left-Handers

C.D. Pelham, Texas Rangers, high-A/AA – A 33rd round pick in 2015, Pelham has turned into an incredible reliever. He could end up in the majors by the end of the year the way his year is going, as he’s put up a 2.70 ERA over 33 1/3 innings with 42 strikeouts.

Justus Sheffield, New York Yankees, AA/AAA – With a power fastball and slider out of a small frame, Sheffield has worked hard to build up his control, and if he can stay healthy, the Yankees could bring him up late in the season in the bullpen, but he should factor in their 2019 rotation plans unless he’s part of a big trade this summer. He’s combined for a 2.44 ERA and 95 K’s over 85 innings.

My starter – While other guys are better prospects perhaps, it’s hard to argue against giving the start to Dakota Hudson here.

Next: World Outfield

Outfielders

Randy Arozarena, St. Louis Cardinals, Cuba, AA/AAA – Coming out of Cuba, Arozarena has moved up quickly in the Cardinals system in just his second full season. He has struggled some in AAA, but overall, he’s hitting .271/.348/.418 with 8 home runs and 16 stolen bases on the year.

Luis Alexander Basabe, Chicago White Sox, Venezuela, high-A/AA – Acquired in the Chris Sale deal, Basabe dealt with an injury last year that slowed him, but he’s 100% this year, and he’s shown well. Combined, he’s hit .256/.356/.447 with 10 home runs and 12 stolen bases, playing elite defense in center field.

Yusniel Diaz, Los Angeles Dodgers, Cuba, AA – Coming from Cuba, Diaz moved quickly into the upper minors last season. He’s shown well this year, improving his plate discipline significantly, as he’s hitting .314/.428/.477 on the season.

Seuly Matias, Kansas City Royals, Dominican Republic, low-A – Big swinger that still has plenty of work to do on his polish, Matias was a big-ticket international signing in 2015. Matias is currently leading the minor leagues with 26 home runs, but he’s only hitting .213 and he’s struck out 109 times in 300 plate appearances so far.

Heliot Ramos, San Francisco Giants, Puerto Rico, low-A – Going off-script for the Giants, they grabbed the highly-talented, yet highly-volatile Ramos in the first round in 2017, and he rewarded them with an incredible showing in the Arizona Rookie League. Just 18 this year, he’s been with low-A Augusta all season, and he’s had plenty of ups and downs as he’s hit .246/.323/.385, but the raw talent is still definitely there.

Jesus Sanchez, Tampa Bay Rays, Dominican Republic, high-A – Built long and lean, Sanchez generates a ton of hard contact from his swing, though a lot of that is gap power for now. While he doesn’t walk a ton, Sanchez typically doesn’t strike out much either, with a contact focus at the plate, hitting .298/.326/.456 this year with 20 doubles and 9 home runs.

Leody Taveras, Texas Rangers, Dominican Republic, high-A – The raw talent of Taveras has been tremendous to watch, but he’s struggled to harness it all together. He has hit .329/.312/.319 this year, showing better patience at the plate, but not a lot of improvement in other aspects of his game, but still the raw tools would have him as one of the better prospects in the game.

My starters – I’d likely stick with Sanchez, Basabe, and Diaz for defensive purposes along with their bats, but Matias’ raw power could be fun as a DH.

Next: World Infield

Catchers

Miguel Amaya, Chicago Cubs, Panama, low-A – Mature physically when he signed in 2015, Amaya has stiffened up some, likely eventually going to move himself off the position, but he is here as the Cubs representative and representing Panama. The bat has been solid this season in low-A, hitting .280/.348/.478 with 12 home runs.

Keibert Ruiz, Los Angeles Dodgers, Venezuela, AA – The top catching prospect (for me) in the minor leagues, Ruiz has handled AA well at just 19 years old, even if his state line isn’t great at .247/.313/.390 with 9 home runs.

Corner Infielders

Yordan Alvarez, Houston Astros, Cuba, AA/AAA – While he’s listed as a 1B here, Alvarez is a guy who is tremendously athletic, which is surprising to anyone who sees his 6’5″ frame, listed at 225 pounds, but likely at least 5-10 pounds bigger than that, but still able to track down balls in the outfield with ease. Alvarez has hit well so far, .303/.354/.585 with 13 home runs combined. He could factor into the postseason bench for the Astros if they really want to push him.

Middle Infielers

Luis Garcia, Washington Nationals, Dominican Republic, low-A/high-A – The youngest player in the Futures Game, Garcia was signed in 2016, made his pro debut last season in the GCL, and made his full-season debut this year and has already earned a promotion. He’s not struggled at all in his moves, hitting .302/.339/.402 this season.

Andres Gimenez, New York Mets, Venezuela, high-A – Gimenez is the class of the Mets system, and he’s not going to put up big numbers offensively, as his value is with his glove, but the bat has been great this year, as he’s hit .278/.344/.427 with 26 steals.

Dawel Lugo, Detroit Tigers, Dominican Republic, AAA – The Tigers have worked Lugo at 2B this year, and having a defensive home has seemed to really allow Lugo’s bat to take off, hitting .271 in AAA, as he’s taking better at-bats, though his patience at the plate could use some work still.

Fernando Tatis, Jr., San Diego Padres, Dominican Republic, AA – Tatis exploded on the scene last year, finishing the year as a top 5 prospect in the game. He had a rough start to the year, but he’s been so good since that he’s already up to .289/.359/.509 with 15 home runs and 15 steals at 19 years old in AA.

Luis Urias, San Diego Padres, Mexico, AAA – Urias has blown through the minors for two reasons, his glove and his contact. He’s shown strong again this year with both, hitting .278/.391/.411 while showing passable shortstop work and possible elite second base glovework.

My starters – The starters, to me, are fairly easy, with Tatis, Urias, Alvarez, Ruiz, and Lugo. Who would end up at 3B of that group is a question, but that’s the clear group, to me.

Next: World Pitchers

Right-Handers

Jorge Guzman, Miami Marlins, Dominican Republic, high-A – On his third organization, it’s certainly not because of a lack of velocity because Guzman can hit 100 with ease. Guzman has been inconsistent with his location this year, but his stuff is good enough that he’s put up a 3.18 ERA with 64 strikeouts over his 65 innings.

Yoan Lopez, Arizona Diamondbacks, Cuba, AA – When the Diamondbacks originally signed Lopez, there were plenty of questions about him. He moved to the bullpen in 2017 after injuries hampered his first few seasons, and he’s been absolutely dominant ever since. He’s struck out 63 over 40 2/3 innings.

Kieran Lovegrove, Cleveland Indians, South Africa, high-A/AA – Lovegrove moved to the bullpen after rough times in the rotation and he’s been impressive this season, pitching to a 1.35 ERA across two levels in 40 innings, striking out 48 hitters.

Bryan Mata, Boston Red Sox, Venezuela, high-A – Mata has been a solid pitcher for the Red Sox at each level. While not a dominant guy, he has a heavy sinker and gets plenty of ground balls, allowing just 1 home run this season in 71 innings of 3.42 ERA.

Adonis Medina, Philadelphia Phillies, Dominican Republic, high-A – Medina replaced his teammate on the roster, and while his talent is undeniable, Medina’s results have been very questionable in 2018, posting a 4.92 ERA over 71 1/3 innings.

Jesus Tinoco, Colorado Rockies, Venezuela, AA – If you watched Tinoco pitch, you’d never understand how he has a 5.21 ERA on the season, as he keeps the ball in the zone with big velocity and generates strikeouts, (85 in 93 1/3 innings).

Touki Toussaint, Atlanta Braves, Haiti, AA/AAA – One of the most impressive curveballs in the entire game, Toussaint has struggled to harness the rest of his impressive stuff until this season, when he’s taken off in the upper minors, posting a 2.82 ERA over 92 2/3 innings, striking out 112.

More from Call to the Pen

• Philadelphia Phillies, ready for a stretch run, bomb St. Louis Cardinals
• Philadelphia Phillies: The 4 players on the franchise’s Mount Rushmore
• Boston Red Sox fans should be upset over Mookie Betts’ comment
• Analyzing the Boston Red Sox trade for Dave Henderson and Spike Owen
• 2023 MLB postseason likely to have a strange look without Yankees, Red Sox, Cardinals

Left-Handers

Jesus Luzardo, Oakland Athletics, Peru, high-A/AA – Injured when he was drafted, so he fell to the 3rd round to the Nationals, Luzardo came back last year and showed well before he was traded to the A’s. This year, he’s been incredible at two levels, with a 2.30 ERA over 78 1/3 innings with 99 strikeouts.

Lewis Thorpe, Minnesota Twins, Australia, AA – Thorpe spent a lot of 2017 returning from surgery, but he’s been turned loose in 2018, and he’s struck out 106 over 84 1/3 innings in AA so far this year.

Alex Wells, Baltimore Orioles, Australia, high-A – Not a guy with a blazing fastball, but a tremendous ability to locate, Wells broke out last season in low-A when he walked just 10 batters in 140 innings. He’s posted a 4.13 ERA over 85 innings this season.

My starter – The best guy this season has really been Luzardo, and he’s likely moved into the discussion as a top 5 pitching prospect in the game, so he’s the pick here.

Next: What will Orioles sell?

While some of the top overall prospects may not be in the game this year due to injuries, this should be a very exciting Futures Game. Enjoy!