MLB Futures Game 2014: Start Time, Live Stream, TV Schedule and More

Christmas in July is a term that has been around long before Major League Baseball began showcasing the best and brightest prospects during All-Star week, but it's a fitting slogan for anyone who follows the sport and wants to know what the future holds. 

The 2014 Futures Game is one of the most star-studded affairs in the 15-year history of this event. All 30 teams will have at least one prospect representing them at Target Field. Some of the names will be familiar to baseball fans, while others are going to be seen for the first time, but all of them are important to know. 

Due to the increasing popularity of Minor League Baseball, not to mention national television coverage, the Futures Game has become arguably the most popular event of the All-Star festivities because it gives fans a chance to see something they don't get on a daily basis. 

In anticipation of the big game, we have all the updated viewing information that you need and the final rosters for both the United States and World teams. 

What: 2014 MLB Futures Game

Where: Target Field in Minneapolis

When: Sunday, July 13 at 5 p.m. ET

Watch: MLB Network

Live Stream: MLB.com; MLB At-Bat App on iPhone and Android

*Player will not participate due to injury or MLB promotion

Best Overall Prospect: Kris Bryant, 3B, Chicago Cubs

If you were to ask Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer to name their perfect-world projection for Kris Bryant in his first full season, they wouldn't have come up with what he's actually doing in 2014. 

The No. 2 overall pick in the 2013 draft forced the Cubs to bump him up to Triple-A after just 68 games in Tennessee because he needed a challenge. After tearing apart Double-A to the tune of a .355/.458/.702 slash line with 22 home runs in 248 at-bats, Bryant has shown no signs of slowing down in Iowa with a .329/.396/.695 line.

Even though he's not a wizard at third base with the glove, Bryant is adequate over there. He's going to strike out a lot because the power comes from his natural strength as opposed to elite bat speed, but the contact is so loud and ferocious that it would be an upset if 30-plus homers weren't an every-season occurrence for the 22-year-old when he arrives in Chicago.

Best Pitching Prospect: Lucas Giolito, RHP, Washington Nationals

You would be hard-pressed to find a pitcher in the minors who has more helium than Lucas Giolito right now. The Nationals' top prospect came in at No. 7 on Baseball Prospectus' midseason top-50 list, jumping up six spots from the start of 2014. 

No pitcher in the minors possesses a better combination of present ability, future projection, a workhorse body and elite stuff. Giolito is 6'6", 255 pounds with a low- to mid-90s fastball that moves and a 12-to-6 curveball that can be considered a lethal weapon with all the knees it will snap. 

The big right-hander is still getting his command back after Tommy John surgery in 2012, but the control is fine, and he's missing bats at a terrific rate (72 strikeouts in 65.2 innings). He's likely going to air it out in the Futures Game since he'll only be on the mound for an inning at most, so don't be shocked to see some 99-100 mph readings on the gun. 

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