Ranking the Top 10 Head-Turning Prospects from the 2015 MLB Futures Game

From Josh Bell crushing a bomb into the seats beyond the right field wall to Michael Conforto unleashing a strike to the plate, Sunday's 2015 MLB Futures Game was filled with moments that made you go, "Wow, who was that?"

In compiling the top 10 head-turning prospects from this summer's exhibition, the idea was to highlight the players who produced moments of individual brilliance. The bigger the moment, the higher up the player landed.

While the stars of the day like Bell and Conforto wound up toward the top of the list, there was also room for a few prospects who stood out for less obvious reasons. A few of the prospects made the cut for knowing when to hustle, how to take a smart approach at the plate and just understanding which pitch to throw in a high-pressure situation.

10. Zach Davies, SP, Baltimore Orioles

John Minchillo/Associated Press

Age: 22

Current Minor League Level: Triple-A

Estimated MLB ETA: September 2015

The Head-Turning Moment

Standing 6'0" and weighing in at 150 pounds, it's impossible not to notice that Zach Davies is one skinny dude.

It's also impossible not to notice that the 22-year-old can really pitch. With the bases loaded, the Baltimore Orioles farmhand got the final out of the eighth inning by tricking Yorman Rodriguez with a 79 mph changeup. Davies then returned to get the first out of the ninth on a grounder to third off the bat of Cheslor Cuthbert.

9. Juan Gonzalez, RP, Los Angeles Dodgers

John Minchillo/Associated Press

Age: 25

Current Minor League Level: Triple-A

Estimated MLB ETA: September 2015

The Head-Turning Moment

After watching Juan Gonzalez pitch in the Futures Game, it's easy enough to understand how the right-hander has reeled off a 0.88 ERA while splitting the season between the Los Angeles Dodgers' Double-A and Triple-A affiliates.

Simply put, the reliever has a knack for throwing pitches that dart out of the zone at the last second. Gonzalez recorded two strikeouts in his 0.2 innings of work, but the first one didn't go for an out, as Gonzalez threw a wild pitch that catcher Elias Diaz couldn't handle.

8. Jairo Labourt, SP, Toronto Blue Jays

John Minchillo/Associated Press

Age: 21

Current Minor League Level: High-A

Estimated MLB ETA: September 2017

The Head-Turning Moment

Jairo Labourt was changing speeds at will during the fifth inning.

During his 1-2-3 frame in which he K'd two, the Toronto Blue Jays lefty hit 97 mph on the gun, per Kiley McDaniel of FanGraphs. While he was throwing gas, Labourt also knew exactly when to slow things down. The 21-year-old picked up his second strikeout of the inning by fooling Richie Shaffer with a nasty changeup.

7. Nick Williams, OF, Texas Rangers

Age: 21

Current Minor League Level: Double-A

Estimated MLB ETA: September 2016

The Head-Turning Moment

Nick Williams has all sorts of bat speed.

In the sixth inning, Williams locked in on a 99 mph offering from Frankie Montas and sent the pitch right back up the middle for an RBI single. Williams has also been making great use of that bat speed in the opening half of 2015. The lefty hitter is the owner of a .295 average in Double-A, where he's 3.3 years younger than the average player in the Texas League, per Baseball-Reference.com.

6. J.P. Crawford, SS, Philadelphia Phillies

Age: 20

Current Minor League Level: Double-A

Estimated MLB ETA: September 2016

The Head-Turning Moment

J.P. Crawford, the Philadelphia Phillies' shortstop of the future, stood out both at the plate and in the field.

In the third inning, Crawford tied up the game at 1-1 with an excellent piece of hitting. While facing southpaw Jarlin Garcia, the left-handed-hitting Crawford slashed a single up the middle to bring in Michael Conforto.

Two innings later, Crawford made his mark in the field, leaping to snare a liner off the bat of Manuel Margot. J.J. Cooper of Baseball America dubbed the catch the "best defensive play of the day (non-throwing edition)."

5. Raul Adalberto Mondesi, SS, Kansas City Royals

Age: 19

Current Minor League Level: Double-A

Estimated MLB ETA: Late Summer 2016

The Head-Turning Moment

Raul Adalberto Mondesi can cover a ton of ground.

The 19-year-old, who has spent the 2015 playing shortstop for the Kansas City Royals' Double-A affiliate, put those wheels to use during the Futures Game.

After subbing into the contest for starter Ozhaino Albies, Mondesi made a couple of plays where he had to range far to his left and then whip strong throws to first to get the runner.

He also runs like lightning out of the box. In the eighth inning, with the World team trailing 10-1, Mondesi raced down the line to beat out a chopper for an infield single.

4. Trea Turner, SS, Washington Nationals

Age: 22

Current Minor League Level: Triple-A

Estimated MLB ETA: September 2015

The Head-Turning Moment

Despite having only two at-bats to work with, Trea Turner made great use of them.

The shortstop collected a double in his first trip to the plate in the sixth, and then added a triple a couple of innings later. In both instances, Turner, who has 17 steals in 2015, put his wheels on full display.

Plus, connecting on extra-base hits is nothing new for the Washington Nationals prospect. This season, the 22-year-old has clocked 17 doubles, six triples and seven home runs.

3. Michael Conforto, LF, New York Mets

Age: 22

Current Minor League Level: Double-A

Estimated MLB ETA: Opening Day 2016

The Head-Turning Moment

The owner of a .307 average and an .842 OPS in parts of two seasons on the farm, Michael Conforto has always been known for his bat.

At the Futures Game, the 22-year-old also made it apparent that he'll be capable of helping out the New York Mets with his arm too. In the top of the third, the left fielder unleashed a strike to the plate to nab Ketel Marte as he attempted to score.

According to Anthony DiComo of MLB.com, Statcast tracked Conforto's assist at 91.6 mph. The electric throw was far from the first time that Conforto has impacted a game with his arm in 2015. In the first half of the season, Conforto has racked up eight assists.

2. Kyle Schwarber, C, Chicago Cubs

Age: 22

Current Minor League Level: Triple-A

Estimated MLB ETA: July 2015

The Head-Turning Moment

Kyle Schwarber can flat-out rake.

In the bottom of the third, Matt Vasgersian noted on the MLB Network broadcast that Schwarber "looks like he's ready to hit a rocket every time he steps into the box." A moment later, the Chicago Cubs prospect did just that, lashing a two-run triple into the right field corner.

The 22-year-old has already demonstrated that he can hit in the bigs, as he swung at a clip of .364 (8-for-22) during a six-game cameo earlier this season. After Miguel Montero injured his left thumb on Sunday, Schwarber's second crack at Wrigley Field could be right around the corner. Manager Joe Maddon told Jesse Rogers of ESPN Chicago that "Schwarber is always a consideration for what we do in the future."

1. Josh Bell, 1B, Pittsburgh Pirates

Age: 22

Current Minor League Level: Double-A

Estimated MLB ETA: September 2015

The Head-Turning Moment

Josh Bell knew the ball was gone as soon as it hit his bat.

In the fourth inning, the 22-year-old flipped his bat away as he watched his shot travel deep into the seats in right-center field. The switch-hitting Bell has a smooth lefty swing, but the home run was especially impressive considering that the Pittsburgh Pirates prospect hasn't been hitting for a ton of power so far in 2015.

In 80 games, Bell has connected on just four home runs, and all have come from the left side of the plate. While the pop has been lacking, he's still been piling up hits. On the year, Bell is batting .312 in Double-A. With the ability to patrol the outfield and play first base, Bell should arrive at PNC Park before the end of the season.

Note: All stats courtesy of Baseball-Reference.com, MLB.com and MiLB.com. All videos courtesy of MLB.com and YouTube.com.

If you want to talk baseball, find me on Twitter @KarlBuscheck.