Albies showcases talents at Futures Game
Braves' No. 5 prospect singles in two at-bats for World Team
CINCINNATI -- At first glimpse, Ozhaino Albies might provide the casual baseball fan reason to wonder why the small kid has drawn so much fanfare during the early part of his professional career. But it doesn't usually take Albies long to convince his doubters that he is more than capable of being an elite player while carrying a generously listed 5-foot-9 frame.
Albies has soared through the Braves' system over the course of the past year, and on Sunday he found himself standing among the game's other elite prospects at the 2015 SirusXM All-Star Futures Game from Great American Ball Park.
Albies went 1-for-2 in the World Team's 10-1 loss to the U.S. Team, nearly driving in a run during the third inning. After flying out to left field in the first inning, Albies singled to left field in the third to create a play at the plate, but Ketel Marte was thrown out by the U.S. Team left fielder Michael Conforto.
"It means so much, a lot to me man," Albies said. "I'm so happy, so excited to be here today."
MLB.com ranks Albies as the Braves' fifth-best prospect and considered him to be the top speed prospect on the World Team roster that was assembled for the Futures Game. The 18-year-old shortstop has played just 137 games at the professional level, but in the course of doing so, he has given the Braves reason to believe he has special talent.
Albies has batted .343 with a .410 on-base percentage and 47 stolen bases (60 attempts) through his first 137 games at the professional level. Despite being one of the youngest players in the South Atlantic League, he has hit .331, compiled an .812 OPS and proven successful with 25 of 33 stolen-base attempts with Class A Rome this year.
Albies isn't only one of the youngest players in the South Atlantic League, but was also the youngest player in this year's Futures Game. Despite being the youngest player, he said he wasn't nervous about playing on the big stage.
"I'm the youngest here, I feel good. I'm so happy, that's all it is. I'm just excited," Albies said prior to Sunday's game. "I know some of the older guys and [they say] keep doing your job and do your thing."