MLB Futures Game 2015: Top Performers in Showcase

The SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game is starting to take on some of the same characteristics of Major League Baseball All-Star Game.

The Midsummer Classic has a history of being a streaky event, with long trends of dominance by each league throughout its 85-game history (soon to be 86).

The U.S. team defeated the World team 10-1 in Sunday's game at the Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati, marking the sixth consecutive year that the American players have won the game. The U.S. team leads the series 11-7.

The focus in this game is on the individual performances of young players who are likely to be star major leaguers at some point in their careers.

Catcher Kyle Schwarber of the Chicago Cubs organization was one of the most highly touted of the youngsters going into the game, and he did not disappoint. Schwarber, a powerful left-handed hitter, lashed a two-run triple in the third inning and that keyed a U.S. rally in that inning. Schwarber, who grew up in the Cincinnati area, was named MVP of the game:

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Ex-#iubase catcher @kschwarb12 keeps impressing, named MVP of @MLB #FuturesGame: http://t.co/csfFAka9BZ pic.twitter.com/ZAkkE1C186

— IndyStar Sports (@IndyStarSports) July 13, 2015"

"It was awesome to come out and actually step on the field I grew up watching ballgames on. It was special. My eyes lit up as soon as I stepped on it," Schwarber told Mark Sheldon of MLB.com

Elsa/Getty Images

Josh Bell of the Pirates joined Schwarber among the hitting heroes for the Americans. The power-hitting first baseman belted a two-run homer to right-center in the fourth inning that showed off his ability to go the other way with a pitch in addition to driving the ball for power. Bell has been hitting the ball solidly all season at Double-A Altoona, and he has a .312/.380/.431 slash line.

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.@Pirates prospect Josh Bell unloads on a 388-foot 2-run shot. B4: US 5, World 1. Watch live: http://t.co/O3xSrZoIwS pic.twitter.com/yajdSc4o1F

— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) July 12, 2015"

While the World All-Stars were out of this game after the sixth inning when the Americans had a five-run rally, several of their stars had impressive outings.

Starting pitcher Jose Berrios of the Twins organization got through the American lineup in the bottom of the first inning without allowing a hit. Berrios has an 8-3 record, with a 3.55 earned run average and 104 strike outs in 101.1 innings for Chattanooga (Double-A)  and Rochester (Triple-A) this season.

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#MNTwins prospect Jose Berrios pitches scoreless inning in MLB Futures Game @GrandCasinoMN #storyofthegame http://t.co/PuoCSELTGd

— FOX Sports North (@fsnorth) July 12, 2015"

Pitcher Jario Labourt of the Blue Jays also pitched well for the World team. He shut down the American hitters in his only inning on the mound, and he registered two strikeouts.

Joe Robbins/Getty Images

Second baseman Ketel Marte of the Mariners was 2-for-2 with a pair of doubles for the World team, while designated hitter Nomar Manzara of the Rangers also slashed a pair of two-base hits in three at-bats. Manzara is regularly an outfielder.

Pitcher Lucas Giolito of the Nationals started for the U.S. team, and he was the only pitcher in the game to throw two innings. While he gave up two hits, he did not give up any runs during his stint.

U.S. outfielder Michael Conforto of the Mets organization had a memorable all-around game, and if he had won the MVP award, there would not likely have been any complaints. Conforto went 2-for-2, and he also threw out Marte at the plate when the World team's second baseman tried to score on a single in the third inning.

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Any plans for the future? @mconforto8 will throw them out. #FuturesGame pic.twitter.com/PCHasrl95d

— New York Mets (@Mets) July 12, 2015"

"Off the bat. I know there's two outs and I think they were looking to extend the lead a little bit," Conforto said. "Off the bat, I got a good jump and got my feet set up the right way and got a good throw in there. Schwarber did a good job of getting a tag on him."

Finally, Nationals shortstop prospect Trea Turner showed off why he is one of the most highly regarded prospects in the minor leagues. He had two extra-base hits, a double and a triple, and he also drove in two runs. 

Turner is considered one of the fastest players in the Nationals' system, and he showed off that speed on his triple to left center.