Top 10 Futures Game moments
CINCINNATI -- Over its 17-year history, the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game has provided scrapbooks full of incredible moments and memories. The 2015 edition was no different, as the 10-1 United States victory had more than its fair share of excitement.
From offensive firepower to stellar defense, from solid pitching to outstanding speed, this year's Futures Game is one for the record books. Here's a look at the top 10 moments from the game:
1. Local boy does good
With his family and friends filling the stands at Great American Ball Park, Kyle Schwarber continued to show he knows what he's doing on a big league field. The World Team had taken a 1-0 lead in the top of the third, but the U.S. tied it up on a J.P. Crawford single. Schwarber -- a native of Middletown, Ohio -- came up next and tripled in a pair of runs with a shot down the right-field line. Not known for his speed, Schwarber's first hits at Double-A, Triple-A, the big leagues and the Futures Game have all been triples. He even showed some defensive acumen, throwing out down Ketel Marte trying to steal, to complete a strikeout/throwout double play.
2. Josh Bell goes yard
Before the game, when talking about the idea of a Futures Game Home Run Derby, Bell said they'd never have asked him to compete because he only had four homers in Double-A this season. They'd have no problem extending the invite now, after the switch-hitter took a 1-0 offering from Edwin Diaz in the bottom of the fourth and launched it into the right-field seats with Aaron Judge aboard to give the U.S. a 5-1 lead.
3. Trea Turner shows off his legs
The best known Player To Be Named Later in the history of trades, Turner showed off why the Nationals were so keen on getting him from the Padres as part of that three-team deal back in December. Entering the game as a substitute, Turner doubled in two runs in his first at-bat, but he really electrified the crowd when he sent a line drive to the gap and used his speed to glide into third without a throw.
4. Michael Conforto shows off his gun
Mets fans have been clamoring to get Conforto's bat to the big leagues, and he did go 2-for-2 in the game, but it was his arm in left field that really stood out. The World Team had taken a lead in the top of the third on Marte's RBI single. Ozhaino Albies followed with a single, but Conforto came up firing and threw a strike to Schwarber to nail Marte at the plate to end the inning.
5. Orlando Arcia flashes some leather
Despite the game being out of hand at 10-1, the World Team still put on a show. Case in point: When Brandon Nimmo led off the bottom of the eighth with a ball that seemed destined for an up-the-middle single, Arcia ranged far to his left, fielded the ball, spun and threw a strike to get Nimmo at first for a highlight-reel play.
6. Raul Mondesi uses his speed on both sides of the ball
Schwarber would've had a second hit to add to his MVP resume if it hadn't been for Mondesi's glove work in the bottom of the fifth. He robbed the Cubs catcher of more Futures Game glory, using his outstanding range up the middle and strong arm to do so. Then Mondesi used his wheels in the top of the eighth to pick up a base hit. At a time when you'd think players would be mailing it in because of the lopsided score, Mondesi hightailed it to first on a slow roller to third to give the World Team its third straight infield hit in the inning.
7. Lucas Giolito goes two
Typically, pitchers in the Futures Game go a maximum of one inning. But with Aaron Nola unavailable to pitch because he had thrown on Friday, Giolito picked up the slack. The U.S. starter was able to erase the home run he gave up to Javier Baez in last year's Futures Game from his memory by tossing two scoreless frames, getting some help from the aforementioned Schwarber shutting down the running game.
8. Gary Sanchez almost catches his fellow Yankees prospect napping
With one out in the bottom of the fourth, Judge reached on an infield single to third. Renato Nunez's throw was wild and Judge thought for a second about heading to second, turning left before changing his mind. Sanchez, the World Team catcher, snuck up the line and tried to slap on a quick tag. Luckily, Judge was able to use his 6-foot-7 frame to reach back for first base just in time.
9. A Reds prospect gets the 'W'
It may not have been the cleanest frame in the world, but Reds pitching prospect Amir Garrett will take it. He gave up three hits and the lone run allowed by the U.S. staff, albeit an unearned one, avoiding further damage, thanks to Conforto's arm. But the hits weren't exactly stung, and when the U.S. offense put up a three-spot in the bottom of the inning, it meant Garrett got credit for the victory.
10. It's a sellout!
A total of 43,661 crammed into Great American Ball Park to watch the Futures Game, and most were in their seats right from the first pitch to the end of the game, despite the lopsided score. Early morning rains gave way to sunny skies, which certainly helped, but it's clear the Futures Game continues to be the perfect beginning to All-Star festivities.