MLB Futures Game 2022: Top Storylines and Prospects to Know

Joe TanseyJul 15, 2022

The Major League Baseball Futures Games serves as a showcase for the next round of stars coming through the minor leagues.

Like the MLB All-Star Game that it precedes, the Futures Game is an exhibition in which the top players will have only a few innings to show off in front of fans.

There is potential for some offensive fireworks inside Dodger Stadium on Saturday, as all three of the top hitters on the MLB.com Top 100 prospects still in the minors will make appearances.

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Francisco Alvarez, a catcher in the New York Mets organization, will have the most eyes on him as the push to send him to the big leagues gets stronger.

Corbin Carroll, the No. 3 overall prospect from the Arizona Diamondbacks, and Gunnar Henderson, the No. 5 overall prospect out of the Baltimore Orioles system, will be the other main attractions at the plate.

The hitting prospects are easier to see at the Futures Game because they may get a second at-bat compared to a single inning, or even a fraction of a frame, that the pitching prospects go through.

The higher-ranked prospects at the Futures Game are also on the hitting side. Miami's Eury Perez, who is No. 15 overall, is the highest-rated pitcher making the trip to Los Angeles.

The full Futures Game roster can be found here on MLB.com.

Prospects to Watch

Francisco Alvarez, C, New York Mets (No. 2 Overall Prospect)

New York Mets fans got a small glimpse of what their future battery may look like on Thursday night when Francisco Alvarez caught Jacob deGrom's rehab start at Triple-A Syracuse.

Alvarez has played just eight games at Triple-A, but the buzz surrounding his future in New York is remarkably high.

The No. 2 overall prospect in baseball hit .277 with 18 home runs and 47 RBI in his time at Double-A Binghamton this season.

Alvarez's power is one of his many intriguing qualities. He hit 24 home runs last season at two minor league levels.

The Mets could use extra pop in their lineup as they look to secure the National League East crown. Alvarez's arrival may not happen right away, but it could happen this season if he flexes some power at the Triple-A level.

If he is not called up soon, Alvarez could end up as the No. 1 prospect in the minor leagues. Detroit Tigers outfielder Riley Greene holds that spot, but he should graduate from the prospect list soon.

Alvarez will be part of the NL squad at the Futures Game, which is managed by former Los Angeles Dodgers catcher and Los Angeles Angels manager Mike Scioscia. Former Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins is in charge of the American League squad.

Corbin Carroll, OF, Arizona (No. 3 Overall Prospect)

The NL roster boasts the two highest-rated prospects in baseball.

Corbin Carroll is the No. 3 overall prospect, and he is one of three Diamondbacks players in MLB.com's Top 100. Shortstop Jordan Lawlar, the No. 13 overall prospect, was also named to the Futures Game roster.

Carroll spent most of his season so far at Double-A Amarillo, where he bashed 16 home runs and recorded a 1.073 OPS.

Carroll has played four games with Triple-A Reno. He has four hits, three runs, two home runs and five RBIs in 19 plate appearances.

The outfielder will likely be in the major leagues in 2023, where he will play alongside Alek Thomas, Buddy Kennedy and some of Arizona's other recent big-league promotions.

Arizona is in no rush to promote Carroll in July or August. He might get a September call-up to get a taste of big-league level, but that is about it for his MLB prospects in 2022.

Gunnar Henderson, SS/3B, Baltimore

Gunnar Henderson is the highest-rated American League prospect on the Futures Game roster.

The infielder is yet another player that Orioles fans have to get excited about in the future. He is expected to partner Ryan Mountcastle and Adley Rutschman as part of the team's young core in the coming years.

Henderson has spent more time at the Triple-A level than Alvarez and Carroll. He is hitting .270 with an .889 OPS through 32 games with Norfolk.

Henderson produced 13 home runs and 54 RBIs across two minor-league levels. He showcased his power at Double-A Bowie by hitting eight home runs, driving in 35 runs and recording an OPS of 1.025.

The No. 5 overall prospect in baseball will be in the majors sooner rather than later, but the Orioles may be patient with his promotion since Ramon Urias and Jorge Mateo have done a decent job at the middle infield positions and at the back end of the batting order.