Futures Game players on fast track to Major Leagues
MIAMI -- With 19 editions of the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game now in the books, no one questions the game's ability to predict what the game will look like at the Major League level.And it does so with alarming speed. Just look at last year's Futures Game for proof. Alex
MIAMI -- With 19 editions of the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game now in the books, no one questions the game's ability to predict what the game will look like at the Major League level.
And it does so with alarming speed. Just look at last year's Futures Game for proof.
:: 2017 Futures Game coverage ::
Sanchez is a member of the American League All-Star squad, just one year after playing in the Futures Game. He's one of 26 Futures alumni who will be part of All-Star festivities here on Tuesday. That's not an unusual number and it's not a stretch to see many from this year's Futures Game, a 7-6 U.S. victory, end up being named as big league All-Stars down the road.
But who is going to get there first? Who will be this year's Bregman, Benintendi or Sanchez? There are several playing at the upper levels and having success, so it might come down to opportunity to get that final promotion up to the big leagues.
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4. Jimmy Herget, RHP, Reds: Not the biggest name at the Futures Game, but his perfect inning of relief shows just what he can do on a big stage. Whether he closes in the big leagues remains to be seen, but there's no question he could contribute to the Reds bullpen right now.
5. Brent Honeywell, RHP, Rays: Tampa actually has the second-best starter ERA in the American League, so this might be a tough rotation to break into. Honeywell hasn't been in Triple-A for that long, but if he keeps throwing like he did in his MVP performance, he'll have to force the Rays' hand.
6. Jack Flaherty, RHP, Cardinals: The Cardinals' rotation has been solid, and they're trying to hang around in the NL Central. But Flaherty quickly pitched his way up to Triple-A, and despite giving up runs in the Futures Game, his pitchability will play soon in St. Louis.
7. Scott Kingery, 2B, Phillies: He's only played a dozen games in Triple-A, but he's continued to hit there. And hit for power, the most surprising development this season. Add in that Phillies second basemen haven't been overly productive, and seeing him get time there soon seems possible.
8. Derek Fisher, OF, Astros: Like Brinson, Fisher was up for a bit earlier this season. Breaking into the outfield on a team with 60 wins at the break might be tough, but they did bring Bregman up last year, and Fisher could be a better option than
9. Rhys Hoskins, 1B, Phillies: There's a roadblock in Philadelphia in the form of Tommy Joseph, but Hoskins is making it tough to keep him down. He's hit everywhere he's gone and the Phillies will have to figure something out soon.
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Jonathan Mayo is a reporter for MLBPipeline.com. Follow him on Twitter @JonathanMayo and Facebook, and listen to him on the weekly Pipeline Podcast.