MLB Prospects: 2012 XM Futures Game Scouting Notes and Analysis

On Sunday night, baseball fans were treated to an assemblage of the game’s finest prospects under one roof, as the U.S. and World teams squared off in the 2012 XM Futures Game. Although the rosters seemed balanced on paper, the final score of the game suggested something entirely different.

Loaded with many of the top position and pitching prospects in baseball, the U.S.’s roster read like a top prospect list with names such as Dylan Bundy, Gerrit Cole, Wil Myers and Billy Hamilton. However, the World’s squad wasn’t short on highly touted prospects either, with Jurickson Profar, Oscar Taveras and Xander Bogaerts heading the offense.

While both team’s pitchers struggled at times, the overwhelming talent on the U.S. staff was obvious by the fourth inning, as they held the World offense at bay and subsequently allowed their own offense to score 17 runs on 17 hits. Of the team’s 14 position prospects who made a plate appearance, 12 collected a hit.

Leading 6-4 headed into the bottom of the sixth inning, the U.S. erupted for nine runs on eight hits, including a three-run home run to center field by Nick Castellanos. Following the game, the Tigers third base prospect was awarded the MVP honors for his 3-for-4 performance that also included three runs scored.

After watching the game and breaking down the individual performances of each team’s pitching and position prospects, I have compiled my scouting notes and analysis from the game for everyone to enjoy.

World: Middle Infielders

Jean Segura, 2B, Los Angeles Angels (Double-A)

Futures Game Stats: 2-for-3, R

Segura looked sharp, as the switch-hitter picked up a knock from both sides of the plate and turned a heads-up double play on a Billy Hamilton goundball to end a U.S. rally. After seeing two pitches in his first at-bat, Segura had an eight-pitch at-bat from the right side of the plate against Danny Hultzen in the third inning before collecting an infield single. He added another single in the fourth on a 1-and-2 hanging breaking ball from Dylan Bundy.

Chih Fang Pan, 2B/SS, Oakland Athletics (Low-A)

Futures Game Stats: 0-for-2, K

Entering the game for Jean Segura in the bottom of the fifth, Pan had a rough game overall, fanning on four pitches against Taijuan Walker and later making a two-out, run-scoring error. The left-handed hitter looked overmatched against Walker and Barnes in two at-bats and had difficulty catching up to their respective plus fastballs.

Jurickson Profar, SS, Texas Rangers (Double-A)

Futures Game Stats: 2-for-3, HR, RBI

Batting left-handed, Profar jumped the yard as the second batter of the game, turning on Jake Odorizzi’s 1-and-2, 94 mph fastball. He worked a single from the other side of the plate in his following at-bat, chopping an 0-and-1 changeup from Danny Hultzen through the right side. Even in his final third and final at-bat, Profar lined out sharply to right field.

He showed exceptional bat speed and knowledge of the strike zone in both at-bats, and had the U.S. offense not taken in-game batting practice, Profar would have walked away with the game’s MVP award. He’s the top position prospect in the game and only strengthened that argument on Sunday night.

Francisco Lindor, SS, Cleveland Indians (Low-A)

Futures Game Stats: 1-for-1

Replacing Profar, Lindor only received one at-bat, but made the most of it by turning on a 95 mph fastball from Walker for a one-out single in the seventh inning. I would liked to have seen him get a few groundballs, but the U.S. was too busy burning outfielders.

Xander Bogaerts, SS, Boston Red Sox (High-A)

Futures Game Stats: 1-for-4, 2 K

Clearly trying to go yard on nearly every swing, Bogaerts didn’t show much of an approach and was extremely vulnerable to the fastball-slider mix. In his defense, he did strike out against Gerrit Cole on a 99 mph fastball and a vicious breaking ball from Tyler Skaggs. His swing looked long with some wasted movement and noticeably struggled to recognize offspeed pitches.

U.S.: Middle Infielders

Billy Hamilton, SS, Cincinnati Reds (Double-A)

Futures Game Stats: 1-for-3, 2 RBI

OK, so we didn’t get to see him steal a base or three. However, we did witness something even more exciting: Hamilton flying around the bases en route to a triple. Granted, the line drive to dead-center was misread by Jae-Hoon Ha, but he still hit in on the nose. According to the MLB Network, the fastest man in baseball raced from home to third base in 10 seconds—I had him at 10.96 seconds, which is close enough to call it 10.

At shortstop, Hamilton made a sliding play to his backhand after a poor initial read on a groundball, then an athletic yet unnatural 360-degree spin to his arm-side, and uncorked a hideous throw. His arm stroke was long and rushed and yielded a throw nearly 10 feet left of first base. It was ruled a hit, but in any big-league game, would be considered an error.

Manny Machado, SS, Baltimore Orioles (Double-A)

Futures Game Stats: 1-for-3, 2B, 2 RBI

Machado’s upside was on display on Sunday night, as the No. 2 shortstop prospect in baseball seemed to do it all. He exhibited plus raw bat speed, power and plate discipline in his first at-bat when he effortlessly ripped an 0-and-2 slider to left field for a two-run double, and, after seeing six pitches in his second at-bat of the inning, popped out in foul territory. He also took a healthy cut against Bruce Rondon’s 102 mph fastball in the eighth inning, but flew out to center field.

Machado also made a great play in the sixth, leaving his feet to snare a line drive off the bat of Christian Bethancourt and doubling-off Oswaldo Arcia.

Kolton Wong, 2B, St. Louis Cardinals (Double-A)

Futures Game Stats: 0-for-2, R

Wong set the tone for the U.S. club by executing a backflip before taking the field. He didn’t collect a hit, but still showed what makes him a projectable two-hitter in the big leagues by seeing 10 pitches over two-at bats. He was rushing his swing a bit and struggle to get extension after contact, but still put the ball on the ground each time.

Scooter Gennett, 2B, Milwauke Brewers (Double-A)

Futures Game Stats: 1-for-3, 2 R, BB

Gennett was his usual menacing self at the plate on Sunday night, scoring two runs and showing his little-man pop with a ringing double to center field. He’s an aggressive left-handed hitter and even welcomed the challenge of Rodon’s 100-plus mph heat in his final at-bat.

World: Third Basemen

Wilmer Flores, 3B, New York Mets (Double-A)

Futures Game Stats: 0-for-2

Flores saw a really tough sequence from Gerrit Cole in his first at-bat: Slider (89 mph), changeup (88 mph) and fastball (97 mph) that resulted in a weak ground out. He lined out to third base in his second at-bat, but was well out in front of a Hultzen slider. He didn’t look particularly fluid at the plate, but that’s also a result of only seeing three pitches in each at-bat.

Carlos Sanchez, INF, Chicago White Sox (High-A)

Futures Game Stats: 1-for-2, 2B, R

Sanchez will always have below-average power, but for a 20-year-old, his hit tool is incredibly promising. In his first at-bat in the sixth inning against Jameson Taillon, the switch-hitter squared up the inner half of a 98 mph fastball for an opposite-field double. Normally a middle infielder, Sanchez played third base and even made a flashy, charging barehanded play on a slow roller.

U.S.: Third Basemen

Mike Olt, 3B, Texas Rangers (Double-A)

Futures Game Stats: 1-for-5, 2B, RBI

The power-hitting third baseman’s at-bats got progressively better over the course of the game, culminating with a ringing RBI-double to dead center as part of a nine-run sixth inning for the U.S. squad. In his first two at-bats, Olt was struggling to get his front foot down early and establish timing, and therefore missed numerous hittable offerings early in the game.

Nolan Arenado, 3B, Colorado Rockies (Double-A)

Futures Game Stats: 1-for-3, R

Although he didn’t get any chances at third base, Arenado did amass three at-bats during the second-half of the game. He hit the ball well overall, lining out hard to right field and lacing a base hit back up the middle in the sixth inning. Some of his swings were pull-happy, but when he finally put it in play, all three balls were to hit to either center or right field.

Nick Castellanos, 3B, Detroit Tigers (Double-A)

Futures Game Stats: 3-for-4, HR, BB, 3 R, 3 RBI

The MVP of the game, the 20-year-old did exactly what he’s been doing all season: hit the snot out of the ball. Due to the amount of immensely talented third basemen on the U.S. roster, Castellanos served as the team’s designated hitter for the entire game. After looking bad against Jose Fernandez and fanning on three pitches in his first at-bat, Castellanos reached base in each of his remaining four plate appearances.

The big knock came in the sixth inning when the right-handed hitter belted a 400-plus-foot home run to center field off Julio Rodriguez. Beyond that, he laced singles to both center and right field and scored three runs. Equally impressive was the fact that Castellanos saw 22 pitches over five plate appearances.

World: First Basemen

Jesus Aguilar, 1B, Cleveland Indians (High-A)

Futures Game Stats: 1-for-3, BB, R

The right-handed slugger was taking his usual monster hacks at the plate and just missed numerous pitches, flying out to center field in two of his at-bats. However, he did rip a single back up the middle on a 96 mph fastball from Dylan Bundy. His swing is long and there’s clearly a lot of swing-and-miss in his game, but his power is robust.

U.S.: First Basemen

Jonathan Singleton, 1B/LF, Houston Astros (Double-A)

Futures Game Stats: 3-for-4, BB, 2 R, RBI

Easily one of the more impressive hitters on either team, the left-handed hitting Singleton ripped singles in three at-bats. His first knock was especially impressive, as he absolutely smoked a 97 mph, 2-and-0 fastball from Jose Fernandez to center field. His plus bat speed was smooth and blinding and was even accented with a flashy bat flip to complete the swing.

A hitter who has notoriously struggled against left-handed pitching, Singleton even hung in on a slider from Enny Romero and took it back up the middle for his second hit. Furthermore, each hit came on a different pitch: fastball, slider and changeup.

World: Outfielders

Oscar Taveras, RF/CF, St. Louis Cardinals (Double-A)

Futures Game Stats: 1-for-3, RBI

At only 20 years old, Taveras is one of the top hitters in the minors. Despite his long and violent swing, he possesses an insane ability to barrel up the baseball to all fields, though most of his power is to his pull side. As further evidenced by the fact that he saw four pitches in three at-bats, Taveras doesn’t like to draw walks, but seldom strikes out.

He laced an absolute rocket to center field, but was robbed on a spectacular diving play by Anthony Gose. A left-handed hitter, his lone hit came on a sharp breaking ball from Tyler Skaggs, which he waited on and took to left field. He tracked down some challenging fly balls in both right and center field and even showed off his arm when he missed a cutoff man.

Alfredo Marte, LF, Arizona Diamondbacks (Double-A)

Futures Game Stats: 0-for-3, 2 K

Another free-swinger, Marte didn’t demonstrate much of an approach on Sunday night, swinging at nearly everything he saw and striking out in two at-bats. He was late on fastballs in every at-bat and, after finding himself in pitcher’s counts, chased breaking balls out of the zone.

Rymer Liriano, LF, San Diego Padres (Double-A)

Futures Game Stats: 0-for-1

Replacing Marte in left field in the fifth inning, Liriano only received one and flied out to center field against Taijuan Walker. A left-handed swinger, Liriano’s swing looked mightier than I remember and wish that he had the opportunity to utilize his speed on the basepaths.

Jae-Hoon Ha, CF, Chicago Cubs (Double-A)

Futures Game Stats: 2-for-2, HR, 2 RBI

A right-handed hitter, Ha capitalized on Gerrit Cole’s vulnerability when he launched an opposite-field, two-run home run after the right-hander issued a two-out walk to Aguilar. Ha put an easy swing on a 2-and-1, 95 mph fastball and roped a single to left field in his next at-bat on a hanging breaking ball from Dylan Bundy. He misplayed a line drive in center field that resulted in the Billy Hamilton triple—but we should be thanking him for that, right?

Oswaldo Arcia, RF, Minnesota Twins (Double-A)

Futures Game Stats: 1-for-2, 2B, RBI

Yet another free-swinging outfielder on the World squad, Arcia belted an RBI-double when he turned on an 0-and-2 hanging curveball from Jameson Taillon. However, his long swing was exploited in his final at-bat when Zack Wheeler sawed him off with a 97 mph fastball. He wasn’t exactly graceful in right field, but did run down several balls in the right-center gap.

U.S.: Outfielders

Wil Myers, OF, Kansas City Royals (Triple-A)

Futures Game Stats: 2-for-4, 3 RBI

Myers had an outstanding game in front of his future hometown crowd. All of his at-bats were productive, as two of his three RBI were the result of batted outs, while both of his singles came off of weak contact. However, all of his swings were aggressive; he showcased his plus bat speed and plate coverage as well as mature feel for the strike zone. He showed some range in both center and right field, too, primarily ranging in to make several catches.

I loved that George Brett played him the entire game—everyone enjoyed seeing the Royals’ future star receive a rousing ovation each time he stepped to the plate.

Michael Choice, LF, Oakland Athletics (Double-A)

Futures Game Stats: 0-for-2, 1 K

As usual, Choice was swinging for the fences. And why not? When you have the nearly double-plus power as he does, the Futures Game is the perfect stage for it to be flaunted. After fanning in his first at-bat against Jose Fernandez, Choice just missed a changeup from Felipe Rivero when he flew out to left field in the fourth inning.

I think he’ll have to simplify his swing at some point; there’s too many working parts that must function in perfect harmony for him consistently drive advanced pitching. Also, it looks as though his bat head almost always comes through the zone on the same plane, which may explain the majority of his struggles this season.

Anthony Gose, CF, Toronto Blue Jays (Triple-A)

Futures Game Stats: 1-for-1, R, BB

Walking and collecting an RBI-single in two plate appearances, Gose was most impressive in center field. With runners on the corners and no one out, the speedster made a spectacular diving catch over his head on a line drive off the bat of Oscar Taveras. But perhaps what was most remarkable was his throw to first base after springing to his feet. From deep center, Gose threw an absolute pill on one-hop that nearly doubled-off a retreating Jurickson Profar. On that single play, he showcased three plus tools.

Christian Yelich, OF, Miami Marlins (High-A)

Futures Game Stats: 1-for-2, R, BB

Yelich wasted no time making his presence felt, as the 20-year-old stroked a 2-and-1 changeup into center for a single in his first at-bat. He seemed calm and collected at the plate, and although he didn’t hit anything particularly hard, appeared to have a plan in all three plate appearances.

World: Catchers

Christian Bethancourt, C, Atlanta Braves (Double-A)

Futures Game Stats: 0-for-3, K

Bethancourt looked helpless at the plate, flailing at nine of the 10 pitches he saw over three at-bats—nothing new for the defense-oriented backstop. However, he was highly impressive behind the plate. On a low-and-away (to a right-handed hitter) slider, he still was able to fire a strike to second base and hose Singleton attempting to steal.

After rewinding and watching the clip three times, I recorded the following pop times for Bethancourt on the play: 1.84 seconds, 1.81 and 1.86, which is unbelievable given the location of the pitch. He also smothered several power sliders in the dirt and nearly notched a pickoff when he dropped to a knee and threw behind a runner at first base.

Ali Solis, C, San Diego Padres (Double-A)

Futures Game Stats: 0-for-1

Solis saw as little action as anybody in the game, replacing Bethancourt in the bottom of the sixth inning. Basically, when he entered the game, the U.S. busted it wide open with a nine-spot. For what it’s worth, Solis did a nice job given the situation and made two nice blocks.

U.S.: Catchers

Tommy Joseph, C, San Francisco Giants (Double-A)

Futures Game Stats: 1-for-1, 2B, BB, RBI

Joseph had quite the fourth inning, launching an RBI-double off the right field wall and also throwing out Jesus Aguilar at third base after knocking down a spiked breaking ball in the dirt. He smothered it, located it up the first-base line, picked it up and fired an absolute strike to Olt at third.

Rob Brantly, C, Baltimore Orioles (Triple-A)

Futures Game Stats: 1-for-3, 2B, RBI

In his first inning of work after entering the game for Joseph, Brantly cut down Oscar Taveras attempting to steal second base for the second out in the top of the fifth inning. In the following inning, it was his booming double off the center field wall that started the scoring in their nine-run frame.

World: Pitchers

Yordano Ventura, RHP, Kansas City Royals (High-A)

Futures Game Stats: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 K/0 BB

Fastball: 98-100 mph; touched 100 mph threw times.

Curveball: 80-82 mph; late, sharp break.

Changeup: 86-87 mph; thrown with convincing arm speed, steady sinking action.

Slider: 82 mph; only threw one to Segura

Ventura showcased absolutely electric stuff, repeatedly touching 100 mph with his fastball that seemed to explode out of his hand. The right-hander also showed a plus changeup that bottomed out as it approached the plate and two breaking balls—both of which he struggled to locate.

Jose Fernandez, RHP, Miami Marlins (High-A)

Futures Game Stats: 1 IP, H, 2 K

FB: 97-99 mph; thrown on excellent downward plane with heavy arm-side run

SL: 83-85 mph; sharp, late-breaking pitch with plus potential

CB: 82-84 mph; threw for strikes in various counts

For a 19-year-old, Fernandez was incredibly impressive and showed at least two plus pitches in his fastball and slider. His curveball looked like an average offering, although I really liked his confidence in the pitch and ability to throw it for a strike.

Chris Reed, LHP, Los Angeles Dodgers (Double-A)

Futures Game Stats: 1 IP, 2 H, 4 R, 2 ER, 1 K/1 BB, 1 Error

FB: 86-93 mph; repeatedly missed to his arm side and picked at strike zone with pitch

SL: 82-84 mph; looked good when thrown off his fastball and not as an evasive pitch after failing to get ahead in the count.

Reed was a mess in his inning of work, throwing only 13 of his 25 pitches for strikes. He struggled to repeat his arm slot and continually ripped open with his glove side, losing countless pitches off the plate to his arm side. I thought that he was throwing a changeup at 86-87 mph; however, pitch f/x said it was a fastball, so we’ll just call it a flat two-seamer. His slider was decent but ineffective once he lost control of the fastball. He made his own inning much worse by throwing away the comebacker from Kolten Wong.

Felipe Rivero, LHP, Tampa Bay Rays (Low-A)

Futures Game Stats: 1 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 0 K/3 BB

FB: 87-93 mph; lost velocity as inning dragged on, late life to arm side.

CH: 82-87 mph; pitch was good at times, but he clearly lacked an advanced feel for it.

SL: 78-82 mph; more of a ‘show-me’ pitch

Like Reed, Rivero struggled to find the strike zone, throwing 10 of his 26 pitches for a strike. His fastball involved a lot of effort, although it did have some run when thrown with a fluid arm action. A majority of his changeups flashed plus potential but was still inconsistent overall, and his slider was mixed in to give hitters a different look. His weight transfer and follow through is weak, as he relies on mostly upper body and pure arm strength.

Enny Romero, LHP, Tampa Bay Rays (High-A)

Futures Game Stats: 1 IP, 2 H

FB: 94-98 mph; explosive out of hand and located to both sides of the plate

SL: 83-88 mph; thrown with tight spin, but lacking significant late bite

After rough innings by Reed and Rivero, Romero took the bump and went after hitters. In fact, each of his first 10 pitches was a fastball. He was falling off to his glove side on occasion, which impeded his control. However, his arm is so damn quick that he was able overcome it on several fastballs. If he can stay more in line with the plate on his landing—and in turn get his arm angle a bit higher—he should be able to throw a tighter slider.

Ariel Pena, RHP, Los Angeles Angels (Double-A)

Futures Game Stats: 0.1 IP, 7 H, 8 ER, 1 BB

FB: 93-94 mph; nice downward action, couldn’t throw it for a strike.

CH: 83-86 mph; liked the speed differential, floated up in the zone.

SL: 85-86 mph; repeatedly hung and not very sharp.

Pena put on a clinic on how not to be effective with your pitches. His fastball had good velocity and downward action, but he either missed the strike zone by a foot or piped it down the middle. His best pitch was definitely a changeup, which I would consider a plus secondary offering. The right-hander gave up four hits when ahead in the count, including two on 0-and-2 pitches, and nearly every slider he threw was hung.

Julio Rodriguez, RHP, Philadelphia Phillies (Double-A)

Futures Game Stats: 1 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 2 ER, BB

FB: 89-91 mph; loose, deceptive arm action from ¾ slot.

CH: 77-78 mph; can float a bit but generates considerable fade.

CB/SL: 70-75 mph; more slurvy considering his arm and release.

Castellanos gave Rodriguez a rude greeting when he launched the sixth pitch of the at-bat over the center field wall for a three-run home run. Given his arm angle and wrist action, the right-hander’s stuff is better suited for a bullpen role where he may also be effective against left-handed hitters.

Kyle Lotzkar, RHP, Cincinnati Reds (Double-A)

Futures Game Stats: 1 IP, H

FB: 92-95 mph; consistent arm-side run and rarely missed over the plate

SL: 82-82 mph; usually a plus offering but was more of a cement mixed

CH: 88 mph

Lotzkar’s fastball has a lot of movement though not overpowering. He has a knack for generating weak contact from both right and left-handed hitters, and his slider is a legitimate out pitch even though it was lousy on Sunday night. He moves the ball around well thanks to command of three pitches, and his off-speed offerings are set up by his fastball.

Bruce Rondon, RHP, Detroit Tigers (Double-A)

Futures Game Stats: 0.2 IP, 0 H, 0 K/0 BB

FB: 101-102 mph; a legitimate double-plus pitch

While he only threw four pitches in the game, they were all fastballs above 101 mph, with one scraping 102. They weren’t exactly straight either, as each one showed some late arm-side action.

U.S.: Pitchers

Jake Odorizzi, RHP, Kansas City Royals (Triple-A)

Futures Game Stats: 1 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 1 K

FB: 93-95 mph; explosive delivery creates velocity, comes out of hand with ease.

CH: 75-76 mph; thrown with similar arm speed with fade

CB: 82-85 mph; tight downer with good pace and shape when not rushed

SL: 83 mph; pitch was flat with little bit, more of a ‘show-me’ in this game

This won’t be the only time that Odorizzi toes the slab at Kauffman this season, as the right-hander showcased the stuff that has him pegged to be a future frontline starter. His three-pitch mix of fastball, curveball and changeup were all sharp and well located—except for the fastball that Profar jumped on for a home run. He’s mechanics and arm action are clean and athletic, and he throws nothing straight.

Gerrit Cole, RHP, Pittsburgh Pirates (Double-A)

Futures Game Stats: 1 IP, 1 H, 2 ER, 2 K/1 BB

FB: 95-100 mph; explosive out of his hand and heavy when down in the zone

SL: 87-89 mph; plus pitch with late break, unfair if thrown off located fastball

CH: 87-90 mph; good speed differential and similar arm action

For the first two batters he faced, Cole’s stuff was absolutely electric and impossible to square up—he needed only seven pitches to record the first two outs of the inning. After that, however, he noticeably lost his focus. The hard-throwing right-hander issued a walk to Jesus Aguilar after a seven-pitch at-bat, and after falling behind 2-and-1 to Ja-Hoon Ha, gave up a two-run blast on a 95 mph fastball. It would have been nice to see him have a clean inning, but his arsenal was still among the best in the game.

Danny Hultzen, LHP, Seattle Mariners (Triple-A)

Futures Game Stats: 1 IP, 3 H, ER, K

FB: 92-94 mph; moves the pitch in and out and challenges right-handed hitters on the inner half.

CH: 83-85 mph; threw a couple that were absolute nasty, but also left several out over the plate that were yanked to hitter’s respective pull-side.

SL: 78-79 mph; solid, late bite, works both back foot and backdoor to right-handed hitters

He doesn’t really have the velocity to blow it by good hitters—as it was evidenced last night—so he needs to rely on the location and mix of his pitches. Some of his fastballs worked the black; others caught too much plate. Nobody was really chasing his offerings out of the zone and instead made the southpaw attack the zone. A few of his off-speed pitches caught too much plate against right-handed hitters and were hit hard despite off-balance, front-foot swings.

Dylan Bundy, RHP, Baltimore Orioles (High-A)

Futures Game Stats: 1 IP, 3 H

FB: 94-96 mph; easy velocity with beautiful mechanics, manipulates pitch to create run, cut and sink; heavy when down in the zone.

CB: 76-77 mph; threw one knee-buckling one, the rest were hung

CH: 87 mph; only threw one, it was sharp but three-feet outside

In probably the most highly anticipated inning of the night, Bundy wasn’t as sharp as usual. Still, his stuff and polish was outstanding considering his age and experience. He struggled to locate or bury his curveball when ahead in the count, giving up a pair of hits on hangers in a 1-and-2 count. However, he did throw one to Ja-Joon Ha that was an absolute hammer. Used to starting, Bundy appeared out of his rhythm pitching only the fourth inning.

Tyler Skaggs, LHP, Arizona Diamondbacks (Triple-A)
Futures Game Stats: 1 IP, 1 H, 1 K

FB: 91-92 mph; clean arm action and deceptive delivery makes it sneaky-quick.

CB: 73-74 mph; threw a couple plus downers; pitch f/x says they had 15”-16” of break.

SL/CU: 78-81; pitch offers a different look, needs to be located

Skaggs’ time on the mound was short lived, as he needed only eight pitches to get through his inning. His fastball wasn’t as crisp as I’ve seen it in the past, but it still plays up due to his deceptive delivery and arm action. As usual, his curveball was one of the best on display, breaking 15”-16”, according to MiLB.com’s Pitch F/X data.

Jameson Taillon, RHP, Pittsburgh Pirates (Double-A)

Futures Game Stats: 1 IP, 2 H, ER

FB: 96-98 mph; easy mechanics with a fast arm, arm-side boring action.

CB: 83-86 mph, some hung, others were devastating.

CH: 87 mph; only threw one, but it was really, really good.

Taillon showcased a live fastball in the upper-90s with really hard run from the second it left his hand. His curveball is a hammer with a big shape and late, downer movement, but I think he threw a few too many of them. Hitters were having more difficult catching up his heavy fastball.

Taijuan Walker, RHP, Seattle Mariners (Double-A)

Futures Game Stats: 1 IP, 1 H, 1 K

FB: 95-97 mph; explosive and well located

CB: 74 mph; only threw one, but it was pretty nasty

CH: 91 mph; like the movement, but think it’d be more effective at 86-88 mph

Only 20 years old, Walker is an incredible athlete with fluid, repeatable mechanics and a powerful delivery. His arm action makes everything look effortless coming out of his hand, and nothing he throws is straight. His noticeably has less of a feel for his off-speed pitches than his fastball, but that will improve with experience.

Alex Meyer, RHP, Washington Nationals (Low-A)

Futures Game Stats: 0.2 IP, K

FB: 98-99 mph; absolute gas with a lot of sink.

CH: 89 mph; only threw one, but I like the velocity and fade.

SL: 87 mph; maybe the best slide-piece I saw all night, along with Gerrit Cole’s.

Although he only threw 0.2 innings in an effort to get the remaining pitchers in the game, I was extremely impressed with Meyer’s arsenal. He missed up with his fastball a few times, but it still flashed heavy sink at 98-99 mph. The back-foot slider he threw to fan Carlos Sanchez was devastating and possibly the best pitch I saw all night.

Zack Wheeler, RHP, New York Mets (Double-A)

Futures Game Stats: 0.2 IP, 0 H, 0 K

FB: 95-98 mph; sexy mechanics with explosive arm speed

CB: 80 mph; only threw one but has a knee-buckler

SL: 88 mph; threw only one, generated an ugly swing-and-miss

Like Meyer, Wheeler only logged 0.2 innings, but flashed his dynamic arsenal in that time. His fastball jumped on hitters with late, arm-side life and was located with ease. He showed both a curveball and slider, both of which had a distinct shape and bite. Really wish Wheeler pitched an inning earlier in the game against some of the World’s better hitters.

Matt Barnes, RHP, Boston Red Sox (High-A)

Futures Game Stats: 0.2 IP

FB: 95 mph; record two outs on two fastballs, oh well.

Barnes came in to get the game’s final two outs and needed only two pitches—a pair of 95 mph fastballs—to accomplish the feat. Still, both were spotted low in the zone and generated weak contact. A chance to see the right-hander’s breaking ball would have been nice.