Panzram
06-25-2004, 03:59 AM
A closer look at the Futures Game
When it comes to finding minor leaguers that can and will help your fantasy squad in the future, there are many valuable sources to use, but none are as valuable and direct as the All-Star Futures Game. In just five years, the Futures Game has been a showcase for many successful prospects, including Alfonso Soriano, Mark Mulder, Barry Zito, Lance Berkman, Hank Blalock, Vernon Wells, and Adam Dunn, just to name a few.
This rather new tradition is continuing in 2004 with the sixth annual Futures Game to be held in Houston the Sunday before the All-Star Game. With all of the planning long complete, there was only one item left on the agenda -- the roster selection, which was announced Monday afternoon.
Here’s a breakdown of the USA Team and the World Team, along with the full rosters to finish it off.
USA Team
Infield
Led by one of the Angels top prospects, Jeff Mathis, behind the plate, the USA infield is absolutely stacked. Sluggers Prince Fielder of Milwaukee and Michael Aubrey from the Indians will split time at first base, while the middle infield is filled by two of the best prospects in the game: Rickie Weeks, another future member of the Brew-Crew, at second, and the up-and-coming Devil Rays cornerstone B.J. Upton at short. The USA Team is even stronger at third base, where Mets phenom David Wright and Anaheim's red-hot Dallas McPherson give the squad two players likely to be in the majors by September.
Outfield
The first overall pick of the 2003 draft, Delmon Young, headlines the American outfield, and the 18-year-old will get a serious test when he faces much more advanced pitching than he has seen at Low-A Charleston. The outfield is filled out by Jeremy Reedof the White Sox, the Twins' Jason Kubel and Diamondbacks' Conor Jackson.
Pitching
The USA pitching staff has several potential front-of-the-rotation starters. These include one of the gems of Billy Beane’s “Moneyball” draft, Joe Blanton, as well as the first-overall pick of the 2002 draft, Bryan Bullington of the Pirates. The staff boasts a trio of 2003 first-rounders, Detroit’s Kyle Sleeth, the Texas' John Danks, as well as Tim Stauffer of the Padres. Topping it off is the Cardinals' Brad Thompson, who posted over 40 consecutive scoreless innings to start the season. Clint Everts, one of the very few bright spots in the Expos organization, rounds out the staff.
World Team
Infield
The lesser-known World Team is highlighted by two extraordinary prospects at the corners -- Justin Morneau of the Twins is at first base and Andy Marte of the Braves is at the hot corner. Morneau is more than ready for the major leagues and may not last at Triple-A until mid-July, while Marte should still make the trip to Houston now that Chipper Jones has taken over third base for the Braves once again. Dioner Navarro is behind the plate, and he's considered the best prospect in the Yankees system. The Royals will be double-represented in the middle infield by Andres Blanco and Ruben Gotay, and they will be joined by Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano. Edwin Encarnacion of the Reds will back up Marte.
Outfield
Astros speedster Willy Taveras leads the way for the World Team’s outfield. With the opportunity to play in his future home stadium in Houston, Taveras has the chance to make a significant impression on both Astros management and the fan base. With a few hits, a stolen base or two and some good luck, Taveras might not even have to make the round trip back to Houston’s Double-A squad at Round Rock. He will be flanked by emerging outfielders Felix Pie from the Cubs and Shin Soo Choo of the Mariners. Also on the squad is Cincinatti’s Tony Blanco, who is looking to put himself back on the map as a top prospect.
Pitching
In most areas, it appears that the World Team may be overmatched by the USA squad. However, the World Team may have the superior pitching staff, led by phenoms Felix Hernandez and Jeff Francis, of the Mariners and Rockies, respectively. Those two are closely followed by the Giants' best prospect in Merkin Valdez, while Cleveland’s Fausto Carmona and the Braves' Jose Capellan also join the upper tier of prospects on the World Team. The wild card of both rosters: Detroit’s 23-year-old Wil Ledezma, who had a 5.79 ERA in 84 innings with the Tigers last season but may have turned it around after making a trip back to Double-A for 2004.
Finally, the full 25-man rosters for each squad, with noted dates for those who have been profiled in On the Farm (OTF), if you wish to read a full scouting report:
USA Team
Infielders
Russ Adams, SS, Blue Jays
Michael Aubrey, 1B, Indians (OTF June 11)
Chris Burke, 2B, Astros
Prince Fielder, 1B, Astros (OTF May 7)
Koyie Hill, C, Dodgers
Jeff Mathis, C, Angels
Dallas McPherson, 3B, Angels (OTF May 21)
B.J. Upton, SS, Devil Rays (OTF April 30)
Rickie Weeks, 2B, Brewers (OTF May 28)
David Wright, 3B, Mets (OTF May 21)
Outfielders
Jason Kubel, Twins (OTF May 14)
Conor Jackson, Diamondbacks
Val Majewski, Orioles
Jeremy Reed, White Sox
Delmon Young, Devil Rays
Pitchers
Joe Blanton, Athletics (OTF May 14)
Bryan Bullington, Pirates (OTF April 23)
Matt Cain, Giants (OTF June 4)
John Danks, Rangers (OTF May 28)
Clint Everts, Expos
Gavin Floyd, Phillies (OTF April 30)
Bill Murphy, Marlins
Kyle Sleeth, Tigers
Tim Stauffer, Padres (OTF June 11)
Brad Thompson, Cardinals (OTF May 21)
World Team
Infielders
Andres Blanco, SS, Royals
Robinson Cano, 2B, Yankees
Jesus Cota, 1B, Diamondbacks
Edwin Encarnacion, 3B, Reds
Ruben Gotay, 2B, Royals
Joel Guzman, SS, Dodgers
Andy Marte, 3B, Braves (OTF June 4)
Justin Morneau, 1B, Twins (OTF May 7)
Dioner Navarro, C, Yankees
Humberto Qunterio, C, Padres
Outfielders
Tony Blanco, Reds (OTF June 4)
Shin Soo Choo, Mariners
Jorge Cortes, Pirates
Felix Pie, Cubs
Willy Taveras, Astros (OTF June 11)
Pitchers
Jose Capellan, Braves (OTF May 28)
Fausto Carmona, Indians
Jeff Francis, Rockies (OTF May 14)
Jairo Garcia, Athletics
Felix Hernandez, Mariners (OTF June 4)
Wilfedo Ledezma, Tigers
Arnaldo Munoz, White Sox
Juan Perez, Red Sox
Yusmeiro Petit, Mets
Merkin Valdez, Giants
When it comes to finding minor leaguers that can and will help your fantasy squad in the future, there are many valuable sources to use, but none are as valuable and direct as the All-Star Futures Game. In just five years, the Futures Game has been a showcase for many successful prospects, including Alfonso Soriano, Mark Mulder, Barry Zito, Lance Berkman, Hank Blalock, Vernon Wells, and Adam Dunn, just to name a few.
This rather new tradition is continuing in 2004 with the sixth annual Futures Game to be held in Houston the Sunday before the All-Star Game. With all of the planning long complete, there was only one item left on the agenda -- the roster selection, which was announced Monday afternoon.
Here’s a breakdown of the USA Team and the World Team, along with the full rosters to finish it off.
USA Team
Infield
Led by one of the Angels top prospects, Jeff Mathis, behind the plate, the USA infield is absolutely stacked. Sluggers Prince Fielder of Milwaukee and Michael Aubrey from the Indians will split time at first base, while the middle infield is filled by two of the best prospects in the game: Rickie Weeks, another future member of the Brew-Crew, at second, and the up-and-coming Devil Rays cornerstone B.J. Upton at short. The USA Team is even stronger at third base, where Mets phenom David Wright and Anaheim's red-hot Dallas McPherson give the squad two players likely to be in the majors by September.
Outfield
The first overall pick of the 2003 draft, Delmon Young, headlines the American outfield, and the 18-year-old will get a serious test when he faces much more advanced pitching than he has seen at Low-A Charleston. The outfield is filled out by Jeremy Reedof the White Sox, the Twins' Jason Kubel and Diamondbacks' Conor Jackson.
Pitching
The USA pitching staff has several potential front-of-the-rotation starters. These include one of the gems of Billy Beane’s “Moneyball” draft, Joe Blanton, as well as the first-overall pick of the 2002 draft, Bryan Bullington of the Pirates. The staff boasts a trio of 2003 first-rounders, Detroit’s Kyle Sleeth, the Texas' John Danks, as well as Tim Stauffer of the Padres. Topping it off is the Cardinals' Brad Thompson, who posted over 40 consecutive scoreless innings to start the season. Clint Everts, one of the very few bright spots in the Expos organization, rounds out the staff.
World Team
Infield
The lesser-known World Team is highlighted by two extraordinary prospects at the corners -- Justin Morneau of the Twins is at first base and Andy Marte of the Braves is at the hot corner. Morneau is more than ready for the major leagues and may not last at Triple-A until mid-July, while Marte should still make the trip to Houston now that Chipper Jones has taken over third base for the Braves once again. Dioner Navarro is behind the plate, and he's considered the best prospect in the Yankees system. The Royals will be double-represented in the middle infield by Andres Blanco and Ruben Gotay, and they will be joined by Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano. Edwin Encarnacion of the Reds will back up Marte.
Outfield
Astros speedster Willy Taveras leads the way for the World Team’s outfield. With the opportunity to play in his future home stadium in Houston, Taveras has the chance to make a significant impression on both Astros management and the fan base. With a few hits, a stolen base or two and some good luck, Taveras might not even have to make the round trip back to Houston’s Double-A squad at Round Rock. He will be flanked by emerging outfielders Felix Pie from the Cubs and Shin Soo Choo of the Mariners. Also on the squad is Cincinatti’s Tony Blanco, who is looking to put himself back on the map as a top prospect.
Pitching
In most areas, it appears that the World Team may be overmatched by the USA squad. However, the World Team may have the superior pitching staff, led by phenoms Felix Hernandez and Jeff Francis, of the Mariners and Rockies, respectively. Those two are closely followed by the Giants' best prospect in Merkin Valdez, while Cleveland’s Fausto Carmona and the Braves' Jose Capellan also join the upper tier of prospects on the World Team. The wild card of both rosters: Detroit’s 23-year-old Wil Ledezma, who had a 5.79 ERA in 84 innings with the Tigers last season but may have turned it around after making a trip back to Double-A for 2004.
Finally, the full 25-man rosters for each squad, with noted dates for those who have been profiled in On the Farm (OTF), if you wish to read a full scouting report:
USA Team
Infielders
Russ Adams, SS, Blue Jays
Michael Aubrey, 1B, Indians (OTF June 11)
Chris Burke, 2B, Astros
Prince Fielder, 1B, Astros (OTF May 7)
Koyie Hill, C, Dodgers
Jeff Mathis, C, Angels
Dallas McPherson, 3B, Angels (OTF May 21)
B.J. Upton, SS, Devil Rays (OTF April 30)
Rickie Weeks, 2B, Brewers (OTF May 28)
David Wright, 3B, Mets (OTF May 21)
Outfielders
Jason Kubel, Twins (OTF May 14)
Conor Jackson, Diamondbacks
Val Majewski, Orioles
Jeremy Reed, White Sox
Delmon Young, Devil Rays
Pitchers
Joe Blanton, Athletics (OTF May 14)
Bryan Bullington, Pirates (OTF April 23)
Matt Cain, Giants (OTF June 4)
John Danks, Rangers (OTF May 28)
Clint Everts, Expos
Gavin Floyd, Phillies (OTF April 30)
Bill Murphy, Marlins
Kyle Sleeth, Tigers
Tim Stauffer, Padres (OTF June 11)
Brad Thompson, Cardinals (OTF May 21)
World Team
Infielders
Andres Blanco, SS, Royals
Robinson Cano, 2B, Yankees
Jesus Cota, 1B, Diamondbacks
Edwin Encarnacion, 3B, Reds
Ruben Gotay, 2B, Royals
Joel Guzman, SS, Dodgers
Andy Marte, 3B, Braves (OTF June 4)
Justin Morneau, 1B, Twins (OTF May 7)
Dioner Navarro, C, Yankees
Humberto Qunterio, C, Padres
Outfielders
Tony Blanco, Reds (OTF June 4)
Shin Soo Choo, Mariners
Jorge Cortes, Pirates
Felix Pie, Cubs
Willy Taveras, Astros (OTF June 11)
Pitchers
Jose Capellan, Braves (OTF May 28)
Fausto Carmona, Indians
Jeff Francis, Rockies (OTF May 14)
Jairo Garcia, Athletics
Felix Hernandez, Mariners (OTF June 4)
Wilfedo Ledezma, Tigers
Arnaldo Munoz, White Sox
Juan Perez, Red Sox
Yusmeiro Petit, Mets
Merkin Valdez, Giants