MLB All-Star Game 2022: Dodgers’ Diego Cartaya, Brewers’ Jackson Chourio lead Futures rosters

By Jordan Shusterman
FOX Sports activities MLB Author

We’re somewhat greater than per week away from one of many coolest occasions on the baseball calendar: the All-Star Futures Sport.

Final yr, the Futures Sport happened on the identical day as the primary spherical of the MLB Draft, held for the primary time throughout All-Star Week. In 2022, MLB determined to offer the sport its personal day, as it can happen at 7 p.m. ET on July 16 at Dodger Stadium, with the draft starting the next day. 

The rosters had been introduced Thursday, and as is normally the case, an amazing quantity of younger expertise shall be targeting one area in Los Angeles.

There are a lot of enjoyable prospects to select from, however listed here are those I’m most excited to see:

Dodgers C Diego Cartaya

The 2018 worldwide signing class produced two catchers from Venezuela who look like firmly on monitor for stardom. One was Francisco Álvarez, who obtained a $2.7M signing bonus from the Mets and has since blossomed into probably the greatest prospects in baseball. 

The opposite was Cartaya, who on the time of signing was thought-about a superior prospect by most evaluators, regardless of receiving a barely smaller bonus from the Dodgers ($2.5M). The sensational ascension of Álvarez — who can even deservingly be in L.A. for the Futures Sport — has considerably obscured Cartaya’s stellar begin to his profession. He’s nonetheless in A-ball however owns a profession .286/.392/.529 line within the minors and has achieved nothing to harm his inventory, regardless of not transferring as rapidly as Álvarez.

I’m keen to look at each of those guys swing it in batting observe, however I’m particularly wanting ahead to seeing Cartaya launch balls in what may very well be his future house ballpark. 

Cardinals 3B Jordan Walker and SS Masyn Winn

Walker and Winn had been the Cardinals’ first two picks within the 2020 draft, and so they spent a lot of 2021 as teammates within the low minors. Walker’s breakout occurred final yr, when he posted a .936 OPS throughout each ranges, incomes him a spot on the Double-A roster for Opening Day 2022. The massive third baseman has continued to mash this season and is among the most intriguing energy prospects in baseball.

Winn, in the meantime, struggled offensively in his professional debut a yr in the past, particularly after being promoted to Excessive-A. A two-way participant in highschool, with some groups believing in him far more as a pitcher, Winn appeared like he is perhaps extra of a sluggish burn … or so we thought. He demolished Excessive-A pitching upon returning to the extent to begin this season and was promoted to Springfield, the place he rejoined Walker to type one of many youngest left sides of the infield in Double-A. 

I’ll be fascinated to trace the event of those two gamers, contemplating how crowded the Cardinals’ infield is and tasks to be transferring ahead. There’s no actual motive to imagine any of Paul Goldschmidt, Nolan Gorman, Tommy Edman or Nolan Arenado goes wherever else anytime quickly.

It’s an excellent drawback to have, after all. I’m curious if Winn or Walker might ultimately be the centerpiece of a blockbuster commerce or in the event that they pressure themselves into the big-league image, no matter what positions seem to already be solidified.

Brewers OF Jackson Chourio

The youngest participant on the Futures Sport roster, Chourio was born in — brace your self, millennials — 2004! To place his youth into perspective, Chourio (DOB: 3/11/04) is youthful than a number of of the highest highschool prospects for the 2022 draft, together with Druw Jones (11/28/03), Elijah Inexperienced (12/4/03) and Jackson Holliday (12/4/03).

Slightly than ending his highschool season and making ready to be drafted, the Venezuelan outfielder has spent 2022 demolishing the Carolina League with ease whereas taking part in robust protection in middle area. Chourio obtained a $1.9M signing bonus from Milwaukee, so he has been well-regarded for some time – however nobody might have seen this breakout coming this rapidly. It is a particular expertise and undoubtedly a reputation to recollect.  

Marlins RHP Eury Pérez

Whereas Chourio is the one 2004 birthday on the Futures Sport rosters, Pérez — a 6-foot-8 right-hander with hellacious stuff and precocious really feel to pitch — is certainly one of simply two 2003 birthdays, alongside Yankees outfielder Jasson Dominguez.

Pérez was essentially the most statistically dominant pitcher throughout two ranges of A-ball in 2021 and has saved the momentum up this season as a youngster in Double-A, placing out 77 throughout 56 innings with a 3.21 ERA. 

Of all of the gifted arms we’re going to get a glimpse of on this sport, Pérez is definitely the one I’m most wanting ahead to. 

Guardians 1B/OF Jhonkensy Noel

I’ll be trustworthy: I saved my favourite for final. Top-of-the-line elements of the Futures Sport is watching a few of the greatest prospects within the sport take batting observe in a big-league park, and there’s no one I’m extra excited to look at take monster hacks than Noel. 

Take a look at this dude!

Though Noel signed for under $100,000 again in 2017, Cleveland added him to the 40-man roster this previous offseason after a breakout 2021 marketing campaign, and now he has began to get extra respect in prospect circles. He’s presently tied with Cardinals prospect Moisés Gómez for the minor-league house run lead, with 24 dingers, together with 5 in his first eight video games since being promoted to Double-A. 

The Guardians have already got a participant of this profile in Franmil Reyes, so we all know what it appears to be like like when it’s proper. Noel nonetheless has a methods to go to ascertain himself in Cleveland, however he has been a thrill to look at within the minors to date. 

I hope he hits a ball to Elysian Park within the Futures Sport!

Jordan Shusterman is half of @CespedesBBQ and a baseball author for FOX Sports activities. He lives in D.C. however is a large Seattle Mariners fan and loves watching the KBO, which implies he does not get lots of sleep. You’ll be able to observe him on Twitter @j_shusterman_.

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