Futures FAQ: Lineups, how to watch, more
Several of the top prospects in the Minors, including four of the top five in MLB Pipeline's Top 100 Prospects list, will take the field tonight in the 21st edition of the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game at Progressive Field in Cleveland.
Rather than the traditional U.S. vs. World setup, this year’s game has been tweaked to mirror the All-Star Game and will feature the American League against the National League. The event has also been shortened to seven innings. But just because there’s less baseball doesn’t mean there’s any less excitement about the game.
So, how can you watch and who should you keep an eye on? We’ve got all the answers and everything you need below:
How to watch
This year’s Futures Game will be live on MLB Network and streamed on MLB.com at 7 p.m. ET tonight. Greg Amsinger, Harold Reynolds and Jim Callis will call the game while Heidi Watney will provide commentary from both dugouts. The game also will be available to SiriusXM subscribers.
Starting lineups
American League
1) Wander Franco, SS, TB
2) Nick Madrigal, 2B, White Sox
3) Luis Robert, CF, White Sox
4) Jo Adell, RF, Angels
5) Jarred Kelenic, LF, Mariners
6) Evan White, 1B, Mariners
7) Nolan Jones, 3B, Indians
8) Daniel Johnson, DH, Indians
9) Jake Rogers, C, Tigers
P) Deivi Garcia, RHP, Yanees
National League
1) Cristian Pache, CF, Braves
2) Carter Kieboom, SS, Nationals
3) Isan Diaz, 2B, Marlins
4) Alec Bohm, 3B, Phillies
5) Taylor Trammell, LF, Reds
6) Will Craig, 1B, Pirates
7) Dylan Carlson, RF, Cardinals
8) Daulton Varsho, DH, D-backs
9) Miguel Amaya, C, Cubs
P) Ian Anderson, RHP, Braves
Pitching Order
American League
Deivi Garcia, Yankees
DL Hall, Orioles
J.B. Bukauskas, Astros
Matt Manning, Tigers
Nate Pearson, Blue Jays
Kris Bubic, Royals
Brady Singer, Royals
Jordan Balazovic, Twins
Justin Dunn, Mariners
Grayson Rodriguez, Orioles
National League
Ian Anderson, Braves
MacKenzie Gore, Padres
Dustin May, Dodgers
Anthony Kay, Mets
Sixto Sanchez, Marlins
Adrian Morejon, Padres
Ben Bowden, Rockies
Luis Patino, Padres
Devin Williams, Brewers
* Subject to change
Top prospects to watch
While there are plenty of exciting prospects taking the field, there are always a few that stand out a little bit more, and this year is no different. Padres top prospect MacKenzie Gore has been carving up lineups all year and will put his stuff up against the best hitters in the Minors. Pitching in the hitter-friendly California League, Gore has gone 7-1 with a 1.02 ERA and 110 strikeouts over 79 1/3 innings for Class A Advanced Lake Elsinore.
Depending on how the game shapes up, Gore may pitch against Rays shortstop prospect Wander Franco, the No. 1 prospect in baseball. Franco is only 18 years old, but the Rays have already bumped him up to the Class A Advanced level, where he has hits in seven of the eight games he’s played.
Here are the 10 highest-ranked prospects who will be on display, and when you might see them in the Major Leagues:
No. 1 Wander Franco, SS, ETA: 2021 (Class A Advanced Charlotte, Rays)
No. 3 MacKenzie Gore, LHP, ETA: 2021 (Class A Advanced Lake Elsinore, Padres)
No. 4 Jo Adell, OF, ETA: 2020 (Double-A Mobile, Angels)
No. 5 Luis Robert, OF, ETA: 2020 (Double-A Birmingham, White Sox)
No. 7 Royce Lewis, SS, ETA: 2020 (Class A Advanced Fort Myers, Twins)
No. 14 Cristian Pache, OF, ETA: 2020 (Double-A Mississippi, Braves)
No. 19 Joey Bart, C, ETA: 2021 (Class A Advanced San Jose, Giants)
No. 21 Carter Kieboom, SS, ETA: 2020 (Triple-A Fresno, Nationals)
No. 22 Sixto Sanchez, RHP, ETA: 2020 (Double-A Jacksonville, Marlins)
No. 24 Jarred Kelenic, OF, ETA: 2022 (Class A Advanced Modesto, Mariners)
Top Major Leaguers who have played in the Futures Game
We recently put together a list of the top players to have represented each of the 30 clubs in the Futures Game, and while that included a mix of current and retired players, let’s take a look at some of the best current players who got a chance to participate in past editions of the Futures Game:
CC Sabathia, 2000
Miguel Cabrera, 2001 and '02
Zack Greinke, 2003
Justin Verlander, 2005
Joey Votto, 2006 and '07
Clayton Kershaw, 2007
Bryce Harper, 2010
Mike Trout, 2010 and '11
Jose Altuve, 2011
Paul Goldschmidt, 2011
Madison Bumgarner, 2011
Nolan Arenado, 2011 and '12
Manny Machado, 2011 and '12
Mookie Betts, 2014
Kris Bryant, 2014
Betts was named to the 2014 Futures Game, but he didn’t participate because the Red Sox called him up. Trout played in 2010, but he was called up prior to the '11 game.
Which Futures Gamers might we see in MLB this year?
The path from the Futures Game to the Majors is not all that lengthy. In fact, 21 of last year’s participants -- including Pete Alonso, Keston Hiura and Fernando Tatis Jr. -- have already played in the Majors this season. So, who from this year’s game can we expect to see in the second half? Let’s take a look:
1B Will Craig, Pirates' No. 12
2B Isan Diaz, Marlins' No. 6
OF Daniel Johnson, Indians' No. 22
SS Carter Kieboom (has already made MLB debut), Nationals' No. 1
SS Jorge Mateo, A's No. 8
RHP Dustin May, Dodgers' No. 3
C Jake Rogers, Tigers' No. 12