In case you are unfamiliar, the Futures Game is a minor league All-Star game played on the Sunday before Major League Baseball hosts its own showcase of superstars. The Futures Game isn't just any All-Star game though. The Futures Game brings together the games best prospects to play on the big stage. Justin Upton, Justin Verlander, Miguel Cabrera and Felix Hernandez are just a few of today's studs that participated in past Futures Games.
Looking forward to this year's matchup between the top U.S. and International talent, Keith Law dishes on the top ten prospects to watch (insider required).
1. Jarred Cosart, RHP, Philadelphia Phillies
- Fastball sits 93-98
- "Hammer" curve at 77-80
- Athletic
2. Matt Moore, LHP, Tampa Bay Rays
- Arguably the best LHP prospect in the game
- Fastball touches 97
- Curve and circle-change could each become plus pitches
- Led the minor leagues in strikeouts in 2010 and 2009
3. James Paxton, LHP, Seattle Mariners
- Drafted in 2009 and 2010
- 81 K in 60.2 IP between Low-A and Double-A (Paxson skipped High-A)
4. Matt Harvey, RHP, New York Mets
- 2010 draft pick out of the University of North Carolina
- Big fastball
- Curveball and slider have improved, but change-up has regressed
5. Carlos Martinez, RHP, St. Louis Cardinals
- Cardinals' No. 3 prospect in 2011 according to Baseball America
- Two plus-plus pitches including a fastball that touches triple digits
6. Tyler Skaggs, LHP, Arizona Diamondbacks
- One of the pieces of the Dan Haren trade
- Fastball velocity creeping into the low 90's
7. Henderson Alvarez, RHP, Toronto Blue Jays
- Improving fastball reaches mid-90's
- Plus change-up resembles a splitter
- Led the Midwest league with fewest walks (1.4) and home runs (0.1) per nine innings in 2009
8. Jose Altuve, 2B, Houston Astros
- Listed at 5'7" 170
- Believe it or not, hitting is his best tool
- May not be able to avoid the David Eckstein comparisons
9. Jurickson Profar, SS, Texas Rangers
- Signed a then franchise record $1.55 million deal out of Curacao in 2009
- Potential five-tool player
10. Jonathan Schoop, 3B, Baltimore Orioles
- Baltimore Orioles' No. 10 prospect
- Former shortstop with a strong arm and power potential
The Futures Game is my favorite event of the All-Star week. I always enjoy watching the prospects that I've read so much about over the spring and early summer perform live. Keith Law says that there aren't any major snubs from this years rosters, but mentions Anthony Ranaudo, Aaron Hicks, Dellin Betances, Manny Banuelos, Tim Beckham, Oswaldo Arcia, Nate Eovaldi, Allen Webster and Garrett Richards as some interesting prospects that won't be in this year's game.