Here are the top moments from the 2023 Futures Game
SEATTLE -- Jacob Misiorowski has worked just 48 innings since signing with the Brewers last July, yet he’s quickly establishing that his stuff rivals that of any pitcher in the Minors. A spectacular inning at the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game hammered that point home with authority.
• Gameday | Futures Game | Rosters | Coaching staffs | History
Misiorowski unleashed 11 fastballs in the fourth inning Saturday afternoon at T-Mobile Park, ranging from 100-102 mph. He struck out the side around a broken-bat single and he didn’t use his heater on any of the whiffs. He fanned Athletics left fielder Lawrence Butler on an 86 mph curveball, A’s first baseman Tyler Soderstrom on a 94 mph slider and Tigers DH Justyn-Henry Malloy on a 92 mph slider.
A 2022 second-round pick out of Crowder (Mo.) JC who would have transferred to College World Series champion Louisiana State had he not turned pro, Misiorowski pumped 14 of his 18 pitches for strikes and generated six swings and misses. Beyond its sheer velocity, his fastball also stands out with its high spin rates and induced vertical break as well as the angle and extension he creates with his 6-foot-7 frame.
Misiorowski doesn’t have much track record because he lost his high school senior season to the pandemic and tore the meniscus in his right knee in his first start for Crowder in 2021. His stuff looks good enough to play in the big leagues right now, though his control and command are still works in progress. In 46 1/3 innings between Single-A and High-A this year, he has posted a 2.53 ERA, .118 opponent average and 70 strikeouts in 46 1/3 innings, albeit with 23 walks.
Misiorowski collaborated with seven other National League pitchers for a 5-0 win over the American League, the third shutout in 24 years of Futures Games and the first since 2005. Besides Misiorowski's performance, here are other moments that stood out:
Abel sets the tone
Phillies right-hander Mick Abel set the tone for the NL hurlers and earned the victory with a dominant bottom of the first inning. He opened the frame by catching Mariners center fielder Jonatan Clase looking with an 82 mph curveball and closed it by blowing a 98 mph fastball by Mariners catcher Harry Ford. He battled his control of his secondary pitches but ranged from 96-99 mph with his heater.
Clase robs Crawford
Clase struck out in both of his at-bats but made the toughest catch of the game. He raced in from center field to make a diving catch of a soft line drive hit by Phillies DH Justin Crawford in the top of the second. Statcast measured the catch probability at 65 percent.
Cantillo heats up
Known mostly for his changeup, Guardians left-hander Joey Cantillo has shown improved fastball velocity the last couple of seasons and pumped it up even higher in the Futures Game. He worked 1 2/3 scoreless innings because Royals right-hander Will Klein couldn't escape a jam in the second, and he operated with a 94-98 mph fastball. He struck out two of the best prospects in the game, Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong on a 98 mph heater and D-backs shortstop Jordan Lawlar on an 82 mph cambio.
Yorke denies speedy Wood
Cantillo finished his stint by getting Nationals right fielder James Wood way out in front on an 82 mph changeup in the top of the third, setting up the defensive play of the game. Wood tapped a slow roller toward Red Sox second baseman Nick Yorke and raced toward first base at 30.9 feet per second, the fastest sprint time in the Futures Game. Yorke gloved the ball and flipped it to first in one motion, barely beating Wood. Yorke also smoked a 103 mph double off Braves right-hander Spencer Schwellenbach in the fifth.
Scott runs wild
Cardinals outfielder Victor Scott II ranks second in the Minors with 52 steals in 59 attempts and he wasted no time showing off his blazing speed. After smoking a pinch-hit single off a 97 mph fastball from Twins right-hander David Festa in the top of the fifth, he swiped second and third base on consecutive pitches with sprint speeds of 29.2 and 28.2 feet per second. By comparison, the fasted speed on a big league steal this year is 30.2 feet per second (Corbin Carroll).
House shines on both sides of the ball
Nationals third baseman Brady House delivered the hardest-hit base hit of the game in the top of the sixth, a 104 mph single off a 90 mph fastball from Blue Jays right-hander Sem Robberse. Then he made one of the better defensive plays in the bottom half, falling into the camera well to snare a foul pop off the bat of Angels catcher Edgar Quero.
Nuñez clears the bases
Marlins second baseman Nasim Nuñez earned MVP honors with a three-run double in the top of the sixth that effectively iced the Futures Game. He did a nice job of going to the opposite field on a 97 mph sinker down and away from Blue Jays right-hander Yosver Zulueta, flaring it down the left-field line. He also displayed his quickness by stealing third base.