AccuScore - MLB Prospect Watch

MLB Prospect Watch

Tim Williams - AccuScore Analyst
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The futures game is coming up soon, which gives most fantasy players their first look at the stars of tomorrow. I really find the futures game insignificant for any reason other than actually seeing the prospects. They're still playing against minor league players, so this game gives no clue as to how these players will perform at the major league level. The game is also an exhibition, which means it gives no more indication of the performance of a guy like Andrew McCutchen than the All-Star game does for a player like Lance Berkman.

That's not to say that the futures game does not have future stars who are worth keeping an eye on. With the rosters announced, let's take a look at the best of the best from past futures games, and some guys you should keep an eye on this season.

Futures Game All-Stars

Catcher: Russell Martin (2005 futures game), Victor Martinez (2002)

First Base: Prince Fielder (2004), Ryan Howard (2003)

Second Base: Chase Utley (2001), Robinson Cano (2003, 2004)

Shortstop: Jose Reyes (2002), Rafael Furcal (1999)

Third Base: David Wright (2004), Miguel Cabrera (2001, 2002)

Outfield: Carl Crawford (2002), Alex Rios (2003), Grady Sizemore (2003), Alfonso Soriano (1999)

Starting Pitcher: Josh Beckett (2000), C.C. Sabathia (2000), Ben Sheets (2000), Justin Verlander (2005)

Closer: Francisco Rodriguez (2002), Francisco Cordero (1999)

Guys to watch from this year's game

Andrew McCutchen (OF, PIT) – The Pirates' top prospect, outfielder McCutchen will be in the big leagues before the season is over, most likely on August 1st if Jason Bay or Xavier Nady are traded at the deadline. McCutchen is batting .281 with eight homers and 21 stolen bases at AAA.

Elvis Andrus (SS, TEX) – Andrus is a speedy shortstop, with numbers like Jose Reyes. So far at AA he has a .279 average, one homer, and 26 stolen bases.

Fernando Martinez (OF, NYM) – Martinez has shown to be a great hitter, with a .310 average in A and AA ball this season, but with a combined four homers and three steals, the hitting is the best part of his game at this stage.

Matt LaPorta (OF, MIL) – LaPorta is one of the best power hitters in the futures game this year, with 19 homers this season at AA, and a .290 average to go along with it. LaPorta has a bright fantasy future playing with the likes of Ryan Braun, Prince Fielder, and Corey Hart in Milwaukee.

Angel Villalona (1B, SF) – Villalona's average is pretty low in A ball, at .238, but he has shown some solid power, hitting a homer once every 25 at bats so far.

Brett Anderson (SP, OAK) – Could he be the next great starting pitcher in Oakland? Between A and AA ball, Anderson is 10-4 with a 4.05 ERA and 92 strikeouts in 80 innings.

Carlos Carrasco (SP, PHI) - Carrasco has put up some solid strikeout numbers at AA, with 89 in 97 innings pitched. He also has a 5-7 record with a 4.18 ERA this season.

Dexter Fowler (OF, COL) - Maybe the next Matt Holliday? Fowler has a .317 average, seven homers, and 15 stolen bases at AA. You've got to keep an eye on any Colorado prospect who puts up numbers like that.

Taylor Teagarden (C, TEX) - In 133 at bats at AAA he has a .248 average and five homers. He's currently blocked by Max Ramirez and Jarod Saltalamacchia, so a trade would be the only way he'd get playing time. I'm counting on him to be a future star, just because his last name is "Tea Garden".

Phillippe Aumont (SP, SEA) - In just 44.2 innings at A ball, Aumont has 43 strikeouts, a 2.62 ERA, and a 4-4 record.

Bryan Anderson (C, STL) - Between AA and AAA, Anderson has put up Joe Mauer like numbers, with a .353 average and three homers.

Gorkys Hernandez (OF, ATL) - He's a long way off in A ball, but looks promising with a .310 average, four homers, and eight stolen bases.

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