All-Star Futures Game, Skills Showcase FAQs
Forty-nine of MLB’s top prospects will compete at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, on Saturday in the All-Star Futures Game. This year’s iteration, which marks the 25th anniversary of the contest, will feature the first-ever Futures Skills Showcase, a three-challenge event that will test participants’ precision and power at
Forty-nine of MLB’s top prospects will compete at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, on Saturday in the All-Star Futures Game. This year’s iteration, which marks the 25th anniversary of the contest, will feature the first-ever Futures Skills Showcase, a three-challenge event that will test participants’ precision and power at the dish.
Here’s everything you need to know about the event:
How to watch
The game will be broadcast live at 4 p.m. ET on Saturday on MLB Network, MLB.TV, MLB.com and on the MLB App. MLB Network’s Melanie Newman will provide play-by-play on the broadcast, with Mark DeRosa and MLB Pipeline’s Jonathan Mayo serving as analysts. Sande Charles will handle sideline reporting duties.
Game information
The game, which was USA vs. World until 2019, will feature an American League vs. National League format for the fourth year in a row and last seven innings. The bottom of the seventh inning will be played no matter what the score is. If the game is tied after seven, there will be an eighth inning; if it is tied after that, the game will end in a tie.
Like last year, the ABS (Automatic Balls and Strikes) Challenge System will be in use for the contest. Each team will get three challenges and will retain their challenge if they are correct.
Players will be permitted to re-enter the game if needed due to injury.
In addition to the 49 participants in the game itself, four players have been tabbed to compete solely in the Futures Skills Showcase -- Roman Anthony (Red Sox), Moises Ballesteros (Cubs), Brady House (Nationals) and Tre’ Morgan (Rays). Those players are inactive for the contest but could become eligible to play if replacements are necessary due to injuries or Major League promotions.
In between innings, there will also be in-stadium entertainment reminiscent of an MiLB game. Among the festivities are a “Messy Eating Contest,” a “Name that Tune” competition and a Bat/Ballpark Dog Spotlight.
Top prospects to watch
The Futures Game rosters are oozing with Top 100 talent. Of the 53 players attending the events, 38 are on MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 Prospects list, including eight of the top 18 prospects.
Nationals outfielder James Wood (No. 2) and Twins shortstop Brooks Lee (No. 13) were also selected but have since been promoted to MLB.
The NL roster has 20 Top 100 prospects, and the AL has 15.
The game will also include 24 first-round picks, 10 of whom were chosen in the 2023 Draft. The highest-picked of that group is Crews, who was selected second overall. He, along with fellow 2022's No. 2 pick Druw Jones (MLB No. 79), will be patrolling the outfield for the NL side.
On the mound, two pitchers are tied for the lowest ERA entering the contest. The Rangers’ Emiliano Teodo (TEX No. 14) and the Mets’ Brandon Sproat (MLB No. 97) each have a stingy 1.71 mark in 2024. Not far behind them is Cardinals 2023 fourth-rounder Quinn Mathews (MLB No. 99), who has posted a 2.22 ERA in 15 starts this season. Mathews also paces all attendees in strikeouts with a whopping 120.
Here are the 10 best overall prospects expected to take the field in Arlington, along with info on their current Minor League club and expected arrivals in the bigs:
No. 4 Dylan Crews, OF, ETA: 2024 (Triple-A Rochester, Nationals)
No. 6 Ethan Salas, C, ETA: 2025 (High-A Fort Wayne, Padres)
No. 7 Marcelo Mayer, SS, ETA: 2024 (Double-A Portland, Red Sox)
No. 10 Max Clark, OF, ETA: 2026 (Single-A Lakeland, Tigers)
No. 12 Samuel Basallo, C, ETA: 2025 (Double-A Bowie, Orioles)
No. 14 Roman Anthony, OF, ETA: 2025 (Double-A Portland, Red Sox)
No. 16 Colson Montgomery, SS, ETA: 2024 (Triple-A Charlotte, White Sox)
No. 18 Noah Schultz, LHP, ETA: 2026 (Double-A Birmingham, White Sox)
No. 20 Rhett Lowder, RHP, ETA: 2024 (Double-A Chattanooga, Reds)
No. 22 Cole Young, SS/2B, ETA: 2025 (Double-A Arkansas, Mariners)
Managers and coaches
The Futures Game perennially welcomes back former Major Leaguers from the host city to coach and converse with the next generation of young stars, and this year is no different. Serving as the skipper for the AL is 2024 Hall of Fame electee and four-time All-Star Adrian Beltré. He will be joined by Elvis Andrus, Francisco Cordero, Nelson Cruz, Prince Fielder, Derek Holland, Kenny Holmberg (the Rangers Field and Infield Coordinator), Raul Ibañez and Mitch Moreland to round out the staff.
In the NL dugout, seven-time All-Star and 2005 AL Batting Champion Michael Young will be at the helm. The rest of his staff includes Gabe Alvarez (Double-A Erie SeaWolves manager), Ian Kinsler, Colby Lewis, Gary Matthews Jr., Darren Oliver, Mark Teixeira and Vernon Wells.
📩 CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE TO BEN'S BIZ
Futures Skills Showcase
After the Futures Game has ended, eight prospects will square off in a three-challenge skills competition. The event will then be shown on tape delay at 10 a.m. ET on Sunday, July 14, on MLB Network, MLB.TV, MLB.com and on the MLB App.
The three challenges -- Hit it Here, Call Your Shot and Swing for the Fences -- all focus on different skills and tools, whether it be power, precision/hit tool and even bunting.
AL participants
Samuel Basallo, C, Orioles (MLB No. 12)
Roman Anthony, OF, Red Sox (MLB No. 14)
Sebastian Walcott, SS, Rangers (MLB No. 72)
Tre’ Morgan, 1B, Rays (TB No. 13)
NL participants
Brady House, 3B, Nationals (MLB No. 44)
Moises Ballesteros, C, Cubs (MLB No. 60)
Termarr Johnson, 2B/SS, Pirates (MLB No. 76)
Cam Collier, 3B, Reds (MLB No. 84)
Top Futures Game alumni
The Futures Game gives a unique look into MLB’s next generation of stars. Among all previous participants, 87.9% have gone on to play at least one Major League game, while 232 total players (20.7%) had been selected to play in at least one Major League All-Star Game prior to 2024. That number has increased in the past week with Jurickson Profar, Alec Bohm, Gunnar Henderson and others being elected to the All-Star Game.
Notable players who once took the field as Futures Gamers include Miguel Cabrera (2001 and ‘02), Zack Greinke (2003), Joe Mauer (2003), Justin Verlander (2005), Joey Votto (2006 and '07), Clayton Kershaw (2007), Mike Trout (2010 and '11), Bryce Harper (2011), Mookie Betts (2014), Aaron Judge (2015), Ronald Acuña Jr. (2017), Bobby Witt Jr. (2021), Elly De La Cruz (2022) and Jackson Chourio (2022 and ‘23).
MLB Develops alumni attending the Futures Game
Cam Collier: Breakthrough Series, DREAM Series, Hank Aaron Invitational
Justin Crawford: Breakthrough Series, DREAM Series, Hank Aaron Invitational
Harry Ford: DREAM Series
Tink Hence: Breakthrough Series, DREAM Series
Termarr Johnson: Breakthrough Series, DREAM Series, Hank Aaron Invitational
Druw Jones: DREAM Series
Tre’ Morgan: Breakthrough Series, DREAM Series, Hank Aaron Invitational
Chandler Simpson: Breakthrough Series
Brendan Samson is a contributor to MiLB.com.
Round Rock Takes Finale Over Salt Lake, 7-3
SOUTH JORDAN, Utah – BOX SCORE HOW IT HAPPENED: Round Rock plated the first runs of the game in the fifth inning. Back-to-back singles for RF Trevor Hauver and CF Kellen Strahm started the inning. A throwing error by Salt Lake RHP Dakota Hudson on a bunt attempt by SS
Bees Beat Express in Crazy 12-11 Finish
SOUTH JORDAN, Utah – BOX SCORE HOW IT HAPPENED: The Bees scored the first run of the night on a two-out, solo homer from 1B J.D. Davis in the first inning. Round Rock loaded the bases in the third with nobody out and 1B Blaine Crim singled to score two
Round Rock Falls Short, Salt Lake Earns 3-1 Win
SOUTH JORDAN, Utah – BOX SCORE HOW IT HAPPENED: Salt Lake took a 2-0 lead in the first inning. A leadoff walk for 2B Kyren Paris was followed up by a DH Christian Moore double and it was 1-0. After LF Niko Kavadas grounded out to move Moore to third
Bees Swarm Express for 11-8 Win
SOUTH JORDAN, Utah - BOX SCORE HOW IT HAPPENED: Salt Lake jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the first inning. After a solo homer for 2B Christian Moore made it 1-0, a walk for DH Niko Kavadas and a double for 1B J.D. Davis brought LF Chad Stevens up.
Harris Hits for the Cycle as Round Rock Bludgeons Salt Lake, 21-2
SOUTH JORDAN, Utah - BOX SCORE HOW IT HAPPENED: Round Rock opened the scoring with two runs on two hits in the top of the second. SS Billy McKinney led off the inning with a single then RF Kellen Strahm sent him around on a double in the left-center gap.
Express Sting Bees in Series Opener on Tuesday
SOUTH JORDAN, Utah - BOX SCORE HOW IT HAPPENED: The Bees stung first with a run in the bottom of the second. RF Chad Stevens drew a leadoff walk and SS David Mershon singled. LF Korey Holland drove Stevens in on his base hit and Salt Lake led 1-0 after
Express Drop Finale as Aces Ride Big Eighth Frame to Victory
ROUND ROCK, Tex. - BOX SCORE HOW IT HAPPENED: Round Rock struck first with a run in the bottom of the third. 2B Alex De Goti walked and moved to second on CF Evan Carter’s single. LF Dustin Harris drove De Goti in with a single and the Express led
Round Rock Shuts Out Reno, 6-0
ROUND ROCK, Tex. - BOX SCORE HOW IT HAPPENED: Round Rock RHP Dane Dunning allowed a leadoff triple to start the night then continued to strikeout six consecutive batters. In the bottom of the second, the Express put up five runs on five hits. Round Rock loaded the bags with
Comeback Attempt Falls Short, Aces Beat Express 6-5
ROUND ROCK, Tex. - BOX SCORE HOW IT HAPPENED: Reno kicked off the second with a C Aramis Garcia single and 3B Tristin English double. SS Nicky Lopez grounded out but drove in Garcia on the play. 2B Andy Weber hit a sacrifice fly to center field and English came
Walk-Off Magic Continues, Express Beat Aces 2-1
ROUND ROCK, Tex. - BOX SCORE HOW IT HAPPENED: RHP Kumar Rocker made a rehab start for the Express on Thursday night. The Rangers’ No. 2 prospect threw 4.0 innings without a run or a hit. Rocker struck out four and walked one. In his longest start of the year,
Round Rock Battles Back, Falls Short to Reno on Wednesday
ROUND ROCK, Tex. - BOX SCORE HOW IT HAPPENED: After a 47-minute rain delay, the Aces opened the night with a pair of singles from LF Jake McCarthy and CF Jorge Barrosa. SS Blaze Alexander drove McCarthy in with a groundout and Reno led 1-0 in the first. RF Cristian
Round Rock Walks Off Reno to Open the Series
ROUND ROCK, Texas - BOX SCORE HOW IT HAPPENED: Express SS Richie Martin scored the night’s first run in the second inning after hitting a one-out single, finding second base on a wild pitch then scoring as 2B Alex De Goti singled. Aces CF Jorge Barrosa and SS Blaze Alexander
Express Drop Finale to Knights, 7-4
CHARLOTTE, N.C. - BOX SCORE HOW IT HAPPENED: Round Rock RHP Dane Dunning tossed 4.2 scoreless innings allowing one hit, one walk and striking out four. The Knights exploded for five runs on five hits in the fifth inning. RF Zack DeLoach kicked it off with a solo home run.
Round Rock Battles for 8-6 Win Over Charlotte
CHARLOTTE, N.C. - BOX SCORE HOW IT HAPPENED: The Knights kicked off the bottom of the first with back-to-back home runs from LF Brooks Baldwin and SS Colson Montgomery for a 2-0 advantage. In the top of the third, Express CF Alejandro Osuna drew a leadoff walk then RF Marcus
Express Outlast Knights in Wild 22-13 Victory
CHARLOTTE, N.C. - BOX SCORE HOW IT HAPPENED: 1B Blaine Crim gave the Express an early advantage with a solo homer in the first. His ninth of the year put Round Rock up 1-0. Charlotte jumped ahead with two runs on three hits in the bottom half of the inning.
Knights Shutout Express, 8-0
CHARLOTTE, N.C. - BOX SCORE HOW IT HAPPENED: Charlotte jumped out to a 3-0 lead behind three home runs in the bottom of the first. CF Brooks Baldwin led off with his first round-tripper of the year then C Kyle Teel and DH Korey Lee homered on back-to-back pitches. The
Round Rock Falls Wednesday Night in Charlotte
CHARLOTTE, N.C. - BOX SCORE HOW IT HAPPENED: Round Rock took advantage of two first inning errors from Charlotte to plate three runs. After a one-out single for 1B Blaine Crim, DH Dustin Harris reached on a throwing error. 3B Cody Freeman walked before LF Kellen Strahm scored Crim on
Express Earn Series Opener Over Knights, 5-1
CHARLOTTE, N.C. - BOX SCORE HOW IT HAPPENED: The Knights put two on in the second with a pair of singles from SS Colson Montgomery and C Kyle Teel. 3B Bryan Ramos grounded into a fielder’s choice but Montgomery scored on the play, giving Charlotte a 1-0 lead. Round Rock
Express Stir Up Magic, Beat Comets in Wild Walk-Off Thriller
ROUND ROCK, Tex. - BOX SCORE HOW IT HAPPENED: Round Rock RHP Gerson Garabito threw 6.0 complete innings, allowing just one hit and no runs while RHP Bobby Miller held the Express scoreless on two hits in 6.0 innings. The Comets got on the board in the seventh as RF
Oklahoma City Takes Down Round Rock 7-3 on Saturday Night
ROUND ROCK, Tex. - BOX SCORE HOW IT HAPPENED: In the fourth, Oklahoma City SS Alex Freeland singled then stole second. 1B Ryan Ward hit a single to RF Marcus Smith and Freeland scored on Smith’s fielding error. The Comets led 1-0. Round Rock took the lead in the bottom
Round Rock Falls to Oklahoma City, 8-2
ROUND ROCK, Tex. - BOX SCORE HOW IT HAPPENED: Oklahoma City loaded the bases and LF Steward Berroa hit a sacrifice fly to center field giving the Comets an early 1-0 edge in the first. The Express put two runners on with a DH Chad Wallach single and a walk
Express Outlast Comets as De Goti Collects Walk-Off Single
ROUND ROCK, Tex. - BOX SCORE HOW IT HAPPENED: RF Marcus Smith got the E-Train rolling with a two-strike, two-out homer off the batter’s eye in center field. Smith’s second home run of the year put the Express ahead 1-0 in the second. Round Rock added three runs on three
Express Shutout Comets on Wednesday Night
ROUND ROCK, Tex. - BOX SCORE HOW IT HAPPENED: Round Rock put two on in the second with a C Cooper Johnson walk and SS Jonathan Ornelas single. DH Chad Wallach sent Johnson around with a single and the Express took a 1-0 lead. In his next at-bat, Wallach recorded
Round Rock Drops Opener to Oklahoma City, 8-5
ROUND ROCK, Tex. - BOX SCORE HOW IT HAPPENED: The Express struck first in the bottom of the second as C Cooper Johnson recorded his first home run at the Triple-A level in his first at-bat at Dell Diamond. RF Kellen Strahm was aboard after drawing a leadoff walk. Round