MLB Futures Game 2017 Results: USA Beats World, Brent Honeywell Wins MVP

The United States built up an early lead and held on for a 7-6 win over the World team in the 2017 MLB Futures Game.

Starting pitcher Brent Honeywell took home the MVP award after throwing two shutout innings with four strikeouts and just one hit allowed. He is the first-ever pitcher to win the Larry Doby award in the Futures Game.

The exhibition is a showcase for the top prospects in minor league baseball, many of them ready to make an impact at the next level. Gary Sanchez was in this event last year and is already a major league All-Star.

Based on what was seen Sunday at Marlins Park, there are several talented players who could make a similar impact before too long.

It seemed like the game would be an easy win for the United States, which saw its stars shine brightest early with a 7-0 lead through four innings.

Cincinnati Reds prospect Nick Senzel brought home the first run of the game on an RBI double and scored a few innings later on a double from Kyle Tucker.

Bernie Pleskoff of FanRag Sports described the young hitter:

Chance Sisco also came through with an RBI and a run early, building off his performance from last season at this game, as Grant Paulsen of 106.7 The Fan noted:

Meanwhile, the pitching was impressive for the American side, beginning with Honeywell. The Tampa Bay Rays prospect pitched two scoreless innings to start the game with just a single allowed, impressing plenty watching along:

"

brent honeywell (rays) looks terrific on mound. blew 95 mph heater past vlad guerrero jr., the no. 2 ranked prospect in mlb

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) July 9, 2017"

Michael Kopech continued the shutout performance with his power pitches that could someday be seen for the Chicago White Sox:

Meanwhile, the offensive onslaught helped add to the lead with a three-run fourth inning. Derek Fisher came through with a double that brought two runs home, followed by a stolen base.

The World team finally got onto the scoreboard in the fifth inning with an RBI single by Josh Naylor, which brought home Vladimir Guerrero Jr. 

This helped key a comeback, with the squad also scratching two more runs across against Jack Flaherty in the sixth inning. Tomas Nido added two more runs with RBI singles in both the seventh and ninth innings.

Guerrero was especially impressive for the World Team despite being the youngest on the roster. Marly Rivera of ESPN translated a message from his famous father:

The Toronto Blue Jays prospect had two hits and two runs in the game.

After six straight runs cut the lead to 7-6, A.J. Puk finally got the last out to stamp the victory for the United States.

Considering the American team features more upper-level prospects while the international squad has a lot of players in Single-A and Double-A, the final result wasn't too surprising. Still, both teams featured players who turned heads in the all-star showcase.