Bryant Invited To Play In Futures Game

2014 Tennessee Smokies third baseman Kris Bryant, who was promoted to the Triple-A Iowa Cubs last week, has been invited to participate in the 2014 SiruisXM All-Star Futures Game, which will be played on Sunday, July 13 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Fellow former Smokies infielder Javier Baez has also been invited to play for the World Team to represent the Cubs organization.

The 22-year-old Bryant had a scorching-hot first half of the season with the Smokies this season, posting a .355 average (88-248), adding 22 homers and 58 RBI in his 68 games before being promoted to the Triple-A level on June 19. At the time of his promotion, the eighth-best overall prospect according to Baseball America was pacing the Southern League in ten different offensive categories, including all three Triple Crown statistics.

Since the promotion, the Nevada native has clubbed a total of five homers with the I-Cubs to bring his 2014 total to 27 roundtrippers, tying him with Double-A Frisco first baseman Joey Gallo for the Minor League lead. Gallo was also announced as an invitee on the United States roster to this year's Futures Game at Target Field.

Along with Bryant, 2013 Smokies shortstop Javier Baez, the top ranked Cubs prospect according to Baseball America, has also been invited to participate in the contest to play on the World Team. The 21-year-old entered play today with a .226 average (55-266), adding 11 homers and 42 RBI in 65 contests with Iowa. In 54 games last season with the Smokies, Baez recorded a .294 clip (64-218) along with 20 homers and 54 RBI, and was named a Southern League Post-Season All-Star.

Major League Baseball, in conjunction with the Major League Baseball Scouting Bureau, MLB.com, Baseball America, and the 30 Major League clubs chose each of the 25-man rosters for the two teams. All 30 Major League clubs are represented, while all full-season Minor Leaguers were eligible to be selected to participate.

The contest will be able to be seen live nationally on MLB Network, as well as online on MLB.com and via XM Radio. The game is scheduled for a 5:00 p.m. ET start on Sunday, July 15 as part of MLB All-Star Weekend festivities.