Futures Game actually a look at near future

By Jonathan Mayo | July 10, 2016

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SAN DIEGO -- Of the 50 players who were on the rosters of last year's SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game, half have gone on to the big leagues. That really should be the only information needed to convince fans to watch this year's game.
The 18th edition of the Futures Game takes place at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT Sunday at Petco Park and can be watched live on MLB Network and MLB.com. Matt Vasgersian will handle the play-by-play and will be joined in the booth by Mark DeRosa and MLBPipeline.com's Jonathan Mayo, with Heidi Watney in both the United States and World dugouts.
Include - Html: :: 2016 Futures Game coverage ::
The game can also be heard on SiriusXM's MLB Network Radio (XM Channel 89; Sirius Channel 209). Mike Ferrin, Jim Duquette and Jim Bowden will have the call there.
There will be plenty of top-flight prospects to watch this year. There are 18 players on MLBPipeline.com's Top 100 prospects list, starting with No. 5 Yoan Moncada. The complete list of Top 100 players on Futures rosters is as follows:
5. Yoan Moncada, 2B, Red Sox

  1. Dansby Swanson, SS, Braves
  2. Alex Reyes, RHP, Cardinals
  3. Alex Bregman, SS/3B, Astros
  4. Andrew Benintendi, OF, Red Sox
  5. Clint Frazier, OF, Indians
  6. Carson Fulmer, RHP, White Sox
  7. Manny Margot, OF, Padres
  8. David Dahl, OF, Rockies
  9. Dominic Smith, 1B, Mets
  10. Jeff Hoffman, RHP, Rockies
  11. Gary Sanchez, C, Yankees
  12. Josh Hader, LHP, Brewers
  13. Amir Garrett, LHP, Reds
  14. Amed Rosario, SS, Mets
  15. Willy Adames, SS, Rays
  16. Hunter Renfroe, OF, Padres
  17. Joe Musgrove, RHP, Astros
    Top tools
    When talking prospects, everyone always talks about tools. The players in the Futures Game every year are dripping with them, and this year is no different. Jim Callis broke down the top tools in this year's game, but here are the top players on each roster in each tool:
    Hit: Bregman (U.S.); Moncada (World)
    Power: Renfroe; Sanchez
    Speed: Dahl; Moncada
    Defense: Dahl; Margot
    Arm: Carson Kelly, Cardinals; Francisco Mejia, Indians
    Fastball:J.T. Chargois, Twins; Reyes
    Curveball: Hoffman; Reyes
    Slider: Hader; Joe Jimenez, Tigers
    Changeup: Nate Smith, Angels; Jharel Cotton, Dodgers
    Control: Musgrove; Adalberto Mejia, Giants
    Include - Html: Futures Game history
    History
    The winner of the game's MVP, named the Larry Doby Award in 2003, has gone on to bigger and better things.
    Last year Kyle Schwarber won the honor and made a major contribution to the Cubs' playoff push. Five MVPs -- Alfonso Soriano, Jose Reyes, Grady Sizemore, Aaron Hill and Billy Butler -- have gone on to play in future Major League All-Star Games.
    The U.S. team has a six-game winning streak going, having last lost in 2009.
    The U.S. holds an 11-6 advantage in the history of the game, dating back to the first edition of the game in 1999.