Saturday afternoon, the annual Futures Game is held, where teams get the chance to show off some of their farm systems’ top prospects. It’s a moment to commemorate the success that prospect has had in the farm so far, or a chance to get them in the national spotlight, to market to other organizations around the league. Above everything, it’s an amazing opportunity for these young players to get to play on a big stage before making their inevitable big league debuts.
Here’s a breakdown of the prospects selected from the American League East division.
Baltimore Orioles – Samuel Basallo C – MLB #12 Prospect
The O’s number two prospect gets the nod for this year’s Futures Game, and for good reason. Across all levels in the minor leagues, Basallo has hit .286, with an .851 OPS. Basallo has been improving his power, and this season has already matched his home run total of 12 from last season. With the spotlight of the farm on current top prospect Jackson Holliday, it’ll be nice for Basallo to get the recognition he deserves.Â
Boston Red Sox – Marcelo Mayer SS – MLB #7, Roman Anthony OF – MLB #14, & Kyle Teel C – MLB #25
The Red Sox are featuring their top three prospects for this year’s Futures Game, and for good reason. These three players are the highlight of what should be a new young core in Fenway Park. With Teel behind the plate, Anthony in the outfield, and Mayer holding down shortstop.Â
Marcelo Mayer is putting up some of his best numbers so far in the pros this year. He’s improved nearly all of his offensive numbers this season, recording a slashline of .301/.367/.470. Mayer poses the possibility of being a 20/20 guy at the shortstop position, with seven home runs currently, and 13 stolen bases.
Roman Anthony is next in line on the list of Red Sox top prospects. Anthony struggled slightly in AA across 66 games so far this season, hitting for a .241 average, while striking out more and walking just about the same amount. His pop is still there, with 10 home runs currently, and it’ll be fun to be able to watch him compete in the Skills Showcase this weekend.
Boston’s 2023 first round pick was the last selection to represent the historic franchise. In AA Portland this season, Kyle Teel has recorded a .298 average with an .839 OPS in 65 games. He has an amazing hit tool for a catcher, and the Virginia Cavaliers alum will be a must watch on Saturday.
New York Yankees – Spencer Jones OF – MLB #75, Brock Selvidge LHP
Spencer Jones headlines the duo of Yankee prospects being MLB’s 75th best prospect in the MLB Pipeline Top 100. Jones has struggled at times at the AA level in Somerset, but has started to put it together recently. In 72 games in AA this season, Jones is hitting for a .241 average, with a .730 OPS, with 10 home runs. Jones’ raw power is what has earned him his number two overall prospect spot in this Yankees system, and it’ll be fun to see that on full display in this game.
Brock Selvidge hasn’t been putting up his best numbers so far this season in AA. However, the Yankees 10th overall prospect is a very talented left hander, with a legitimate four pitch mix. Selvidge’s 60 graded cutter should be on full display in this game, which will most likely sit in the high 80’s. This could be one of the cases of a team trying to put a guy into the spotlight to spark interest from other organizations at the deadline.
Tampa Bay Rays – Xavier Isaac 1B – MLB #31, Chandler Simpson OF – Tre’ Morgan 1B
Xavier Isaac has been on prospect watchers radar the entire season, and has excelled so far in High-A. In 63 games, Isaac’s hitting for a .288 average, with an OPS of .929. Isaac’s been great on the basepaths, tallying 13 stolen bases and has also hit 14 home runs as well. With his 65 graded power, all eyes will be on this 20-year old first baseman, as he continues to tear up the farm system.
Photo: Charleston RiverDogs
The Rays 10th overall prospect is off to a great start in 2024, and rightfully earned a nod to the Futures Game this year. Simpson in 68 games across the High-A and AA levels, has hit for an average of .359, with an OPS of .814. While his hit tool is solid, Simpson makes his biggest difference on the basepaths. His 80 grade run tool should be something people watching the Futures Game should keep an eye on. He’s stolen 62 bases across those two levels this season, and undoubtedly has the speed to man center field, or anywhere in the outfield.Â
The Rays selection for the Skills Showcase is former LSU Tiger Tre’ Morgan. There are few prospects better defensively than Morgan at the first base position. With a prospect like Xavier Isaac in the same position, that defensive edge is obviously big enough for the Rays to have taken him in the draft last season. The 65 fielding grade has ultimately landed Morgan a shot in the Skills Showcase, and he’s played amazing this season so far. In 57 games across Low-A and High-A, Morgan’s hit .359, with an OPS of .945. He’s also walking more than he’s striking out.
Toronto Blue Jays – Fernando Perez RHP
Fernando Perez is an interesting selection here for Toronto. With an ETA to the big leagues in 2027, this will be the biggest stage we’ll see Perez on for quite some time. Perez has shown his swing and miss stuff across every level he’s been in, excelling at getting strikeouts. In 2024 in A-ball, Perez has 81 strikeouts to only 20 walks, and viewers should keep an eye on his ability to get whiffs. The Blue Jays 23rd ranked prospect in their Top 30, will no doubt get some much needed recognition this weekend.
