Back to the Future: The 2002 Futures Game

As we get set to see the stars of tomorrow take the field today, I thought back to previous all-star future games. Some of the names jumped out at you, and I decided to take a random year and look at just how many of these future stars, actually turn out to be future starts.

I decided that seven years was more than enough time for these players to flourish and fulfil there potential, I wanted to relate it to today's game so 2002 seemed like the ideal game to me.

So let's take a look at the roster and where team USA are today:

Players out of Major League baseball

Brad Baker- A first round selection of the Boston Red Sox was a right-handed pitcher. He retired prior to the 2008 season.

Jimmy Journell- Once regarded as one of the top prospects in the St. Louis Cardinals system, the last sighting of Journell came in 2006 when he signed in the independent Atlantic League of professional baseball.

Josh Karp- Last sighted in 2005 in AAA where he compiled a 5.75 ERA and a 1.417 WHIP.

Jason Young- Like Karp he was last sighted back in 2005 playing for the Indians after moving from the Rockies. Compiling a 2-0 record with a 5.87 ERA may well have forced him out of the game.

Drew Henson- Perhaps the most fascinating player, drafted by the Yankees in 1998. Played in the futures game in 2002, retired from baseball in 2003 and was drafted by the Houston Texans in the 6th round of the 2003 NFL draft.

Would start for the Cowboys in 2004 before bouncing around practise squads. Currently a FA after getting cut by the Lions.

Jason Stokes- Last seen playing in the PCL for the Oakland A's AAA affiliate in 2007, with a .186 BA, it might of been the right time to hang up the cleats. I can not find a record of Jason Stokes after 2007.

Players in the Major Leagues

Sean Burnett- People should be familiar with Burnett, he was recently traded to the Washington Nationals in the Nyjer Morgan deal. Pitching from the pen.

Aaron Cook- Cook made his major league debut in 2002, and has made himself a staple of the Colorado Rockies rotation. Currently has a 8-3 record with a 3.98 ERA. He was also a all star in 2008.

Brett Myers- Brett Myers consistently solid in the Majors, currently has a 4-3 record and a 4.66 ERA. Pitched five seasons where he has compiled 10 or more wins.

Adam Wainwright- Has consolidated himself in the St Louis Cardinals rotation after being called up in 2005 for the first time. Currently 9-5 with a 3.09 ERA.

John Buck- Currently plying his trade with the Kansas Royals, Buck has had several years of major league experience. Currently batting .218 with 3 HR's.

Kevin Cash- Never really fulfilled his early potential. Currently splitting time between the Yankees and AAA, batting .231 in the majors

Bill Hall- Struggling with the bat in the majors this season, however he has carved out a nice major league career for himself. Got himself a call up in 2002 and has played in the Majors every year since.

Corey Hart- Joins his team mate Hill in this list, batting .254 with 9 HR's and 35 RBI's this season.

Orlando Hudson- Currently playing for the LA Dodgers batting .284 with 5 HR and 46 RBI.

Lyle Overbay- Currently playing in the major leagues with the Toronto Blue Jays. Batting .251 with 9 HR and 51 RBI's.

Brandon Phillips- Currently playing with the Cincinnati Reds, batting .267 with 14 HR and 58 RBI's.

Chad Tracy- Currently playing with the Arizona Diamondbacks, however he is batting .215 with 5 HR and just 23 RBI's.

Marlon Byrd- Currently playing with the Texas Rangers of the AL West. With a .286 AVG with 8 HR and 44 RBI.

Carl Crawford- Cemented himself as one of the most dangerous base runners of our era. Currently playing with the Rays, batting .310 with 8 HR and 39 RBI as well as swiping 44 bases.

Players still in the minor leagues

Ryan Dittfurth- As far as i can see Ryan is still pitching in the minors, his stat records stop after the 2008 season. I'm unable to say definitely where he is. Last seen in the minors.

Brett Evert- As with Dittfurth, the latest i can find is of him playing with the Pawtucket Sox in the Red Sox system, after the 2006 season his contract expired and i can't find anything else on Brett.

Billy Traber- Traber has had MLB experience, his first call coming in 2003 with the Indians where he went 6-9 with a 5.24 ERA. Currently pitching Pawtucket where he is 5-4 with a 2.32 ERA.

Joe Borchard- Has had MLB experience, however currently finds himself hitting below .200 with the Atlanta Braves AAA affiliate.

Michael Restovich- Played in the MLB under 4 MLB teams. Currently playing with the Chicago White Sox's AAA affiliate. Batting .293 with 11 HR and 37 RBI.

So to sum up, of the 25 players who participated in the 2002 futures game.

Six of the players are completely out of baseball.

Fourteen of the players are currently in the Majors.

Five players are plying there trade in the minors

So when you watch today's game, think about these stats, and perhaps ask yourself the question, which of these players will still be playing in 2016.