Futures Game auction a true treasure trove

Archie Bradley, Carlos Correa, Billy Hamilton, Addison Russell, George Springer, Noah Syndergaard, Taijuan Walker and Christian Yelich are among many up-and-coming players whose game-used jerseys and caps are now available as memorabilia at the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game Auction.

Major League rosters expanded on Saturday, meaning you will see a variety of those Futures Game players in action this month for their parent clubs. Hamilton, for example, just got a much-awaited callup by Cincinnati. A year after setting the single-season professional steals record with 155, Hamilton swiped 75 bases for Triple-A Louisville, batting .256 with six homers and 41 RBIs. If his speed translates to the big league level, it might be worthwhile to jump into the bidding for the helmet he wore for the U.S. during batting practice before the game.

For Astros fans in particular, this special auction could be good timing as the club rebuilds through high selections in the First-Year Player Draft. Shortstop Carlos Correa was the No. 1 overall selection in 2012 out of MLB's Puerto Rico Baseball Academy, and in his first full season for Class A Quad Cities, he batted .320 with nine homers, 86 RBIs, 10 steals and 73 runs. Futures Game jerseys and caps also are available for past Astros first-rounders Delino DeShields (eighth overall in 2010) and Springer (11th overall in 2011).

Matt Davidson, rated the top position-player prospect in the D-backs system by MLB.com, was named Most Valuable Player of the Futures Game after hitting the go-ahead two-run homer in the U.S. team's 4-2 victory over the World team on July 14 at Citi Field. Bidding starts at $500 for his No. 15 jersey used at the event, with the bidding starting at $250 for the cap he wore, featuring the D-backs logo. Arizona fans also might consider items used by first-round Draft picks Chris Owings (41st overall in 2009) and Bradley (seventh overall in 2010). Owings was just named MVP of the Pacific Coast League.

The Phillies just announced on Tuesday that infielder Maikel Franco is their Paul Owens Award recipient as best position player in their farm system for 2013. He played for the World at Citi Field, and Biddle, the Phillies' 2010 first-round Draft pick, struck him out on three pitches while pitching for the U.S., one of the game's biggest outs. Both prospects are expected to become Citizens Bank Park regulars one day soon, so both are desirable items for Philly bidders.

"It's a true showcase of talent," Biddle said after the Futures Game. "We have a lot of pitchers with sheer, raw power. Guys that just bring it."

Likewise, this now-annual auction is a true showcase of talent, including many first- or second-rounders and others who played key roles in the Futures Game. There are 93 listed items in all, and bidding closes on the night of Sept. 15.