MLB Futures Game 2013: Predicting Which Players Will Make Debut First

The MLB Futures Game 2013 features 52 of the best prospects in baseball, the next stars of the league who will one day be starting in the All-Star Game. 

While many of the prospects still need refinement in the minors, there are some who are just about ready to see major league action.

Which players will be the first from this group of prospects to make their debuts?

Read on to find out. 

Byron Buxton, OF, Minnesota Twins

Byron Buxton was the No. 2 overall pick in 2012, and the outfielder is lighting up the minor leagues.

Playing in Single-A, Buxton is batting .333 with nine home runs, 63 RBI and 109 hits.

He's the real deal and may be the best prospect in baseball.

Of course he's young, at just 19. But the Twins are not a very good team. They might as well throw Buxton into the fire and see what happens. He would provide a jolt of excitement to this team and gain valuable experience.

If not this year, then Buxton should be given every chance to make the team next season. He has five tools and should be an instant contributor. Like Manny Machado, Mike Trout and Bryce Harper, he's the type of prospect that has enough talent to play in the bigs now, despite his young age. Like those three, he'll flourish immediately. 

Buxton will put on a show at the Futures Game and will instantly be the talk of baseball.

Taijuan Walker, RHP, Seattle Mariners

Taijuan Walker is dominating the minors and could see a promotion to the bigs later this season.

The 6'4" right-hander has split time between Double-A and Triple-A. Between the two levels, Walker has a 2.16 ERA, along with a .193 BAA. He has a remarkable 112 strikeouts and has shown great control with just 35 walks.

Walker has four pitches, including an upper-90s fastball. His off-speed pitches are still in need of refinement, but he has a strong cutter that will end up being his strikeout pitch. 

The Mariners are not in the playoff hunt, so they can afford to bring Walker up and see what he can do. He should nail down a starting spot in the rotation next season and will eventually team with Felix Hernandez to create a dynamic duo at the top of the rotation.

Look for a dominating performance by Walker in the Futures Game.  

George Springer, OF, Houston Astros

Springer strikes out way too much, but the outfielder is still tearing up the minor leagues.

Between Double-A and Triple-A, Springer is batting .315 with 21 doubles, 26 home runs and 28 stolen bases.

However, he's struck out 112 times in 88 games so far this year. That's way too many, and he's going to need to cut the strikeouts down if he wants to be a long-time starter.

But the Astros don't have much else going on for them, and Springer would probably be one of the better players on the roster. He has an all-around game and should give Houston fans something to get excited about.

A September call-up is in the offing, and it would be a bit of a surprise if he is not a starter next season. Look for Springer to excel at the Futures Game.