MLB Futures Game: Who to watch

Jul 13, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; World infielder

Javier Baez

(left) celebrates with

Dalton Pompey

(right) after hitting a two-run home run in the 6th inning during the All Star Futures Game at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

If you are a Minor League Baseball junkie like myself, you look very much forward to the MLB Futures Game. Every year at the MLB All Star Break, the Minor Leagues break up its best prospects and pit the best from the US versus the best from around the World.

The game originated in 1999 at Fenway Park where a young New York Yankees second baseman named Alfonso Soriano took him the first MLB Futures Game MVP Award. In the years since, household names like Grady Sizemore, Jose Reyes, Billy Butler, and Aaron Hill earned MVP honors as the US has racked up a 10-6 record in the event, winning the last five straight.

Last year, the newest Texas Ranger Joey Gallo launched a moon shot that, a year later, may not have landed yet. He took home MVP honors in Minnesota as his two-run bomb propelled the US to a 3-2 victory.

This year, 50 of baseball’s best prospects head to Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati. Will the World end their five-game skid? The US Team is stacked with many of the top prospects in baseball, but don’t sell the World team short. The US team holds the advantage in experience as they bring eight players at the Triple-A level whereas the World has four.

What should you keep an eye on in this years game?

Next: New York dominates US outfield

Oct. 14, 2014; Mesa, AZ, USA; New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge plays for the Scottsdale Scorpions against the Mesa Solar Sox during an Arizona Fall League game at Cubs Park. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

NEW YORK, NEW YORK

The starting outfield for the US team could certainly be packed with future stars of the Big Apple. Nearly every New York Mets fan knows the name Brandon Nimmo by now, and most are begging Terry Collins and the powers that be to call up Michael Conforto to the big league level right now. Aaron Judge, well, he just keeps racking.

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Giolito has had an up and down season, proving to be quite hittable with opponents tagging him for a .288 average. But the fireballer — whose fastball is known to hit 100 on the radar gun — does have 57 strikeouts over 43.2 innings. Will he be able to strike out the side in his inning of work, or will the World stars hit him around?

Jose Berrios, the Minnesota Twins No. 1 pitching prospect with the recent promotion of Alex Meyer to the bigs, will likely draw the start for the World team.

The only thing holding Berrios back from his big league debut in this Year of the Prospect is the fact that the Twins starting rotation is surprisingly succeeding this year. He is as Major League ready as it gets, and it will be fun to see how he competes with the top half of the US lineup.

The Chicago Cubs Carl Edwards, Jr. and the Philadelphia Phillies Aaron Nola seem to be getting really close to their Major League debuts as well. Will the Futures Game be their last hurrah as a Minor Leaguer?

A one time starter, Edwards has excelled since moving to the backend of the bullpen. Nola began his fast track to the Majors for the struggling Phillies when he was promoted to Triple-A Lehigh Valley. He is undefeated in his first two starts.

Mark Appel always draws interest, especially since he has now made it to Triple-A for the Astros. Frankie Montas, the White Sox top pitcher, put himself on the map by throwing a no-hitter this season. Sean Newcombe has become the No. 1 pitching prospect for the Angels with the recent promotion of Andrew Heaney and it will be interesting to see how a maturing Edwin Diaz — the Mariners top pitching prospect — handles a stacked lineup.

Next: Root, root, root for the home team

Oct. 14, 2014; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; Cincinnati Reds infielder Kyle Waldrop plays for the Surprise Saguaros during an Arizona Fall League game against the Salt River Rafters at Salt River Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

ROOT, ROOT, ROOT FOR THE HOME TEAM

The host team Cincinnati Reds will not be sending their top pitching prospect (Robert Stephenson), nor their best offensive Minor League weapon (Jesse Winker) to the Futures Game. Instead it will be Amir Garrett and Kyle Waldrop.