For the first time since 2022, the American League is the MLB All-Star Futures Game winner.
Rays catching prospect Nathan Flewelling took home MVP honors on the strength of the game's only home run as the AL came out on top, 6-1, on Sunday at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia. This 27th edition of the midsummer prospect showcase featured talent from every Major League organization and nearly 40 players on the MLB Pipeline Top 100 Prospects list.
Futures Game presented by Nike:
• Flewelling wins MVP | Recap | Gameday
• Best FG plays, players | Full rosters
• All-time rosters | History | Complete coverage
The American League squad -- managed by Larry Bowa -- gave the ball to the game's top-ranked hurler, Mariners southpaw Kade Anderson, who worked around a hit to register a scoreless first inning. MLB's No. 5 prospect has a Minor League-leading 1.36 ERA and 0.69 WHIP en route to an 8-1 record for Double-A Arkansas.
National League skipper Shane Victorino countered with the Phillies' own Gage Wood (MLB No 51). The right-hander, who has a 3.44 ERA and .207 average against over 16 starts split evenly between Single-A Clearwater and Double-A Reading, gave up a run on a hit in the top of the first.
Here are the biggest moments from the afternoon.
De Vries gets the scoring started
In prototypical leadoff man fashion, the A's Leo De Vries (MLB's No. 2 prospect) singled, stole second and third and scored on a groundout by top Red Sox prospect Franklin Arias (MLB No. 7) to stake the American League to a 1-0 lead in the first inning.
Small ball reigns early
In the third inning, Edward Florentino (PIT No. 2/MLB No. 30) scored the first run for the NL after being hit by a pitch, stealing a base and advancing to third on a fielder's choice. The Brewers' Jesús Made (MLB's top prospect) brought him in with a groundout that was 106.9 mph off the bat.
Doyle keeps it deadlocked
Southpaw Liam Doyle (STL No. 2/MLB No. 22) shrugged off a couple walks by striking out a pair and throwing out the Twins' top prospect, Walker Jenkins, trying to steal third.
The Crazy Hot Dog Vendor steps into the spotlight
A bona fide celebrity for the Phillies' Double-A affiliate in Reading, Pa., showed up at Citizen Banks Park entertaining fans and tossing out free frankfurters in between innings.
Flewelling tees off
Left-handed-hitting backstop Nathan Flewelling (TB No. 2/MLB No. 72) smashed a two-run homer into the stands beyond right field in the top of the sixth, giving the AL a 4-1 cushion.
More insurance for the AL
JoJo Parker (TOR No. 1/MLB No. 27) drilled a 101 mph fastball from Nationals righty Miguel Sime Jr. off the top of the wall in right field for an RBI double to give the AL another run in the seventh inning. Parker came in to score on a single by Ralphy Velazquez (CLE No. 1/MLB No. 36) two batters later.
Teamwork shuts the door
For the bottom of the seventh (and final) inning, Bowa got three pitchers into the game, with each facing and retiring one batter: Joseph Dzierwa (BAL No. 3/MLB No. 100), Ben Grable (NYY) and Tyler Bremner (LAA No. 1/MLB No. 44).