#futuresgame

American 6 National 4

The annual MLB Futures Games showcases talent that most people haven’t seen in the minor leagues. Today, the American League squared off with the National League in the event at Dodger Stadium. The American League got off to a good start in the first inning as Gunnar Henderson led-off with a walk and gained two bases on a wild pitch. Dustin Harris singled him home to put the AL up first. The National League would answer in the second inning with a Miguel Vargas lead-off walk. Zac Veen singeld to left and Diego Cartaya hit a flyball to center field. Jasson Dominguez dropped the ball, which scored two runs and put the National League on the board. Corbin Carroll followed with a walk and Robert Hassell singled home another run. The NL took a 3-1 lead after two innings of play. The American League would counter in the third inning as Gunnar Henderson reached on an infield single. Jasson Dominguez made up for his error when he belted a Kyle Harrison fastball out to center for a two-run homer. Dustin Harrison walked and Matt Wallner smoked a Kyle Harrison fastball out to right for a two-run blast. This capped off a four-run inning and the American League took a 5-3 lead. Shea Langeliers added a run in the fourth when he belted a Jared Shuster change-up out to left for a solo shot. The AL had a 6-3 lead and the bullpen held up for the most part. The National League would rally in the seventh when Pete Crow-Armstong doubled to left and reached third on a balk .Joey Wiemer hit a sac fly to right to pull the NL within a pair of runs. Ken Waldenchuk retired Jackson Churio to end the game and the American League picked up the win today in Los Angeles. 

-Final Thoughts- Matt Wallner stood out today with his homer off Kyle Harrison int he third inning. According to StatCast the ball went 116 mph off his bat out to right field. Wallner went 1-for-2 with a homer, two RBI, and a strikeout. Spencer Steer went 0-for-2 with a strikeout after coming off the bench today. Emerson Hancock is a guy, who stood out. He struck out the side in the sixth and is in the Mariners system. Kyle Harrison just didn’t have his control, but is still one of the best pitching prospects in baseball for the Giants. It’s always fun to see the new wave of talent in baseball. Pete Crow-Armstrong was a great interview and should be with the Cubs sometime soon. Next up is the Home Run Derby on Monday night at Dodger Stadium. 

American League Lineup National League Lineup

1.) Gunnar Henderson 3B 1.) Corbin Carroll CF

2.) Jasson Dominguez CF  2.) Robert Hassell RF

3.) Dustin Harris 1B            3.) Francisco Alvarez DH

4.) Anthony Volpe SS          4.) Jordan Walker 3B

5.) Matt Wallner RF             5.) Miguel Vargas 2B

6.) Yainer Diaz DH               6.) Zac Veen LF

7.) George Valera LF            7.) Mark Vientos 1B

8.) Curtis Mead 2B               8.) Masyn Wynn SS

9.) Shea Langeliers C           9.) Diego Cartaya C

SP Taj Bradley RHP             SP Bobby Miller RHP

(3-1) 1.70 ERA                      (4-3) 4.12 ERA

(2022 MILB Stats)

American League 3 National League 8 W-Liberatore (1-0) L-Winn (0-1)

The Futures Game is a great event that Major League Baseball puts on every year to show the next wave of talent in the game. The game returned to Coors Field after a two year absence. The National League bats were ready in a fun day in Denver. Jose Berrero got the scoring started in the first inning when he smacked a Cole Winn change-up out to left for a solo homer. This put the NL up by a run after an inning of play. The National League got back to work in the third as Bryson Stott led-off with an infield single. The next batter, Michael Toglia smoked a Cole Ragans fastball out to left for a two-run homer and the NL wasn’t done yet. Jose Berrero drew a one-out walk and Nolan Gorman greeted Brayan Bello with a double to right, which scored a run. Luis Campusano followed with a sacrifice fly to left and the National League extended their lead to five after three innings of play. Brennen Davis added another run when he drilled a Josh Winder fastball out to center for a solo blast. This put the National League up six runs. The NL had one more rally left in them in the sixth. Brennen Davis hammered a Marcos Diplan slider out to left for his second homer of the day. The next batter, Francisco Alvarez smacked a Diplan fastball out to left for a solo homer. The back-to-back homers put the National League up by eight runs as we headed into the seventh inning. Riley Greene started a rally in the last inning with a single to right. Spencer Torkelson followed with a base hit to left. Jeter Downs drove in a pair with a double to left and the American League was on the board. Austin Martin hit a run-scoring single to right and the AL was within five. Ethan Small struck out the next two batters to end the game and secure the win for the National League this year. 

-Final Thoughts- Josh Winder was the lone representative for the Twins and didn’t fare too well. He retired one batter and allowed a run on the homer by Brennen Davis, and a batter reached on a strikeout, wild pitch. He features a mid-90′s fastball with a slider and change-up in the mid-80′s. He has made a few starts for the Saints and has looked good. LaTroy Hawkins was the manager for the American League today. He also picked Jamey Carroll to be his third base coach. Brennen Davis stood out with the two homers on the day. Former Gopher Max Meyer retired a batter and walked a guy in his outing. Shane Baz has some good stuff. He has a fastball in the upper-90′s, a slider, and a change-up. He will get called up to the Rays very soon. Luis Medina had great stuff for the Yankees. He needs to harness his control, but has a fastball that touches 100 with a nice slider. I’ve watched the Futures Game a few times and was at the one in 2014. It’s always a cool experience to recognize these numbers in the future when watching MLB games. Tomorrow will be the Home Run Derby from Coors Field. 

American League Lineup National League Lineup

1.) Bobby Witt Jr. SS      1.) Alex Thomas LF

2.) Jarred Kelenic LF     2.) Jose Berrero SS

3.) Julio Rodriguez RF   3.) Nolan Gorman 3B

4.) Adley Rutschman C  4.) Luis Campusano C

5.) Nick Pratto 1B           5.) Michael Harris CF

6.) Yoelqui Cespedes DH 6.) Brennen Davis RF

7.) Riley Greene CF         7.) Ryan Vilade DH

8.) Spencer Torkelson 3B  8.) Bryson Stott 2B

9.) Xavier Edwards 2B       9.) Michael Toglia 1B

SP Cole Winn RHP          SP Matthew Liberatore LHP

(2-3) 2.49 ERA                (3-5) 3.79 ERA

(2021 AA Stats)               (2021 AAA Stats)

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