Sunday, July 12, 2015

2015 Topps Pro Debut at the Futures Game

The All-Star festivities are now in full swing and the highlight of this first day's events is the annual Futures Game.

Since the first Futures Game in 1999, 120 players who were named to either the US or World rosters have become MLB All-Stars, with 30 of them are participating in this year's All-Star Game. Eighteen players on last year's roster have already played in the majors, one of them is an All-Star this year (that would be wonderkid Kris Bryant of the Cubs).

Back to the point.

Today, the best minor leaguers from the United States take on the best prospects from around the world (Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Puerto Rico, Curacao, Germany, Nicaragua, and Taiwan to be exact). Of the 52 players (50 on active rosters, plus 2 selected players who were replaced due to injury) who were named to either team, 29 of them appear in the 2015 Topps Pro Debut set. Who made the cut?


From Team USA:
  • Mark Appel, P, Astros (#84)
  • Tyler Beede, P, Giants (#27)
  • Josh Bell, IF, Pirates (#187)
  • Michael Conforto, OF, Mets (#62)
  • J. P. Crawford, IF, Phillies (#39)
  • C. J. Edwards, P, Cubs (#126)
  • Lucas Giolito, P, Nationals (#75)
  • Aaron Judge, OF, Yankees (#159)
  • Sean Newcomb, P, Angels (#171)
  • Brandon Nimmo, OF, Mets (#86)
  • Aaron Nola, P, Phillies (#166)
  • Matt Olson, IF, Athletics (#176)
  • Alex Reyes, P, Cardinals (#195, injured)
  • Kyle Schwarber, C, Cubs (#100)
  • Trea Turner, IF, Nationals (#116)
  • Kyle Waldrop, OF, Reds (#37)
  • Nick Williams, OF, Rangers (#191)
  • Bradley Zimmer, OF, Indians (#29)


From Team World:
  • Ozhaino Albies, IF, Braves (#145)
  • Orlando Arcia, IF, Brewers (#53)
  • Jose Berrios, P, Twins (#134)
  • Rafael Devers, IF, Red Sox (#185)
  • Manuel Margot, OF, Red Sox (#8)
  • Nomar Mazara, OF, Rangers (#90)
  • Raul Mondesi, IF, Royals (#19)
  • Francelis Montas, P, White Sox (#153)
  • Renato Nunez, IF, Athletics (#48)
  • Gary Sanchez, C, Yankees (#147)
  • Raimel Tapia, OF, Rockies (#70)
This is a prospector's dream with many ready to sell if their guy has a breakout game. Team USA has won the last five Futures Games, and own a 10-6 record over their World counterparts. With many of these players ranked in their respective team's top 30 prospect list, this won't be the last we hear from any of them.

Let the games begin.

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

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