MLB Futures Game 2013: Preview, Rosters and Top Players to Watch

The MLB All-Star Futures Game takes place Sunday at Citi Field, headlining one of the best prospect showcases in all of professional sports.

As 52 of baseball’s best minor league prospects take the field, fans get a chance to see Major League Baseball’s future display its talent in anticipation for the MLB All-Star Game—a fitting preamble to a best-of-the-best exhibition of the greatest players the sport has to offer.

A full nine-inning contest, the game not only gives fans a chance to watch future stars in action, but also gives each player an opportunity to prove why he is worthy of being considered one of baseball’s top talents. Considering the tremendous talent that has been featured in past editions, players should consider it a massive honor.

Last year, the U.S. team—a squad many considered a pitching-centric roster—went on to defeat the World team 17-5 on the shoulders of a nine-run sixth inning. If we see that kind of offensive firepower this year, fans are going to be in for a treat.

Let’s take a look at the vitals for the Futures game, as well as full rosters and players to watch in this marquee exhibition event.

Where: Citi Field; Queens, N.Y.

When: Sunday, July 14, at 2 p.m. ET

Television: ESPN2

Radio: MLB Network Radio: XM 89

Streaming: MLB.com

U.S. Team Roster

Player	Position	MiLB Team
Jesse Biddle	LHP	Reading (AA)
Archie Bradley	RHP	Mobile (AA)
Eddie Butler	RHP	Modesto (Advanced A)
Kyle Crick	RHP	San Jose (Advanced A)
A.J. Cole	RHP	Potomac (Advanced A)
C.J. Riefenhauser	LHP	Durham (AAA)
Jimmy Nelson	RHP	Nashville (AAA)
Anthony Ranaudo	RHP	Portland (AA)
Noah Syndergaard	RHP	Binghamton (AA)
Taijuan Walker	RHP	Tacoma (AAA)
Austin Hedges	C	Lake Elsinore (Advanced A)
James McCann	C	Erie (AA)
C.J. Cron	INF	Arkansas (AA)
Delino DeShields	INF	Lancaster (Advanced A)
Matt Davidson	INF	Reno (AAA)
Joey Gallo	INF	Hickory (Full A)
Brad Miller	INF	Tacoma (Advanced A)
Addison Russell	INF	Stockton (AAA)
Kolten Wong	INF	Memphis (AAA)
Christian Walker	INF	Frederick (Advanced A)
Byron Buxton	OF	Fort Myers (Advanced A)
Billy Hamilton	OF	Louisville (AAA)
Joc Pederson	OF	Chattanooga (AA)
George Springer	OF	Corpus Christi (AA)
Christian Yelich	OF	Jacksonville (AA)

World Team Roster

Player	Position	MiLB Team
Miguel Almonte	RHP	Lexington (Full A)
Carlos Contreras	RHP	Bakersfield (Advanced A)
Rafael De Paula	RHP	Tampa (Advanced A)
C.C. Lee	RHP	Columbus (AAA)
Rafael Montero	RHP	Las Vegas (AAA)
Andre Rienzo	RHP	Charlotte (AAA)
Eduardo Rodriguez	LHP	Frederick (Advanced A)
Enny Romero	LHP	Montgomery (AA)
Yordano Ventura	RHP	Omaha (AAA)
Michael Ynoa	RHP	Beloit (Full A)
Jorge Alfaro	C	Hickory (Full A)
Christian Bethancourt	C	Mississippi (AA)
A.J. Jimenez	C	New Hampshire (AA)
Arismendy Alcantara	INF	Tennessee (AA)
Xander Bogaerts	INF	Pawtucket (AAA)
Maikel Franco	INF	Reading (AA)
Dilson Herrera	INF	West Virginia (Full A)
Jordan Lennerton	INF	Toledo (AAA)
Francisco Lindor	INF	Carolina (Advanced A)
Miguel Sano	INF	New Britain (AA)
Yeison Asencio	OF	San Antonio (AA)
Gregory Polanco	OF	Altoona (AA)
Jorge Soler	OF	Dayton (Advanced A)
Jesus Galindo	OF	Augusta (Full A)
Henry Urrutia	OF	Bowie (AA)

*Full rosters can also be found at MiLB.com. Rosters reflect recent changes based on injuries and call-ups, via MLB.com.

Francisco Lindor

The Cleveland Indians selected Francisco Lindor with the eighth pick in the 2011 draft, and fans have been waiting patiently to see what he can do against top competition.

Wait no longer.

The Futures Game doesn’t exactly showcase MLB talent, but many of the pitchers Lindor will be facing aren’t long for the minors—though it won’t just be opposing pitchers he’ll be looking to victimize.

The shortstop is a quick, athletic wizard with the glove, known for his innate ability to make difficult plays look all too routine. Lindor isn’t bad at the dish (.307 average this season), but he isn’t going to wow anyone with his power.

That said, Lindor will be one of the most exciting players to watch in this game, especially in the field. No one in this exhibition features more defensive prowess than the 19-year-old phenom.

Christian Yelich

Christian Yelich hasn’t impressed with his plate discipline (49 strikeouts in 171 at-bats), but there’s no denying his power.

The left-handed-hitting outfielder has as much power as anyone who will be featured in the Futures game, and he has the picture-perfect swing to back it up. With eight home runs and 32 RBI in the minors this season, the 21-year-old boasts enough pop in his bat to make life very difficult for World team pitching on Sunday.

As noted by Joe Frisaro of MLB.com, Yelich is coming off a foot injury that resulted in some missed time in June, but the outfielder is on the mend and should be ready to put on a show in the Futures game.

This will be Yelich’s second consecutive appearance in the contest after going 1-for-2 with a walk in 2012.

Byron Buxton

The No. 2 pick in the 2012 draft, Byron Buxton is perhaps the most exciting prospect in all of baseball right now. It won’t be long before we see the 19-year-old roaming center field at the next level.

With a complete five-tool skill set reminiscent of Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout, Buxton has cruised through his short minor league career, devouring opposing pitching along the way. Despite his range and speed, Buxton also offers tremendous power that has led to nine home runs and 68 RBI already this season.

The Minnesota Twins may not wait very long to see what he can do in the major leagues.

Buxton was expected to sputter early in his career as the finer aspects of his game developed, but he has proven his detractors wrong to this point. As long as Buxton is in top form on Sunday, he’ll be the unquestioned top player to watch both at the dish and in the field.