Yankees All Star News: Futures Game Preview

Peter O’Brien.Mandatory Credit: (Robert M. Pimpsner/Pinstriped Prospects)

Welcome to All Star Weekend 2014! While most people are eagerly awaiting tomorrow night’s Home Run Derby and Tuesday night’s All Star Game, the festivities begin this evening from Minnesota. The 16th annual Futures Game kicks off the weekend from Target Field at 5 PM.

The first Futures Game was held in Boston in 1999. A youngster from the New York Yankees farm system name Alfonso Soriano played the hero in that game blasting two home runs over the Green Monster. In the fifteen years since it’s inception, the Futures Game has helped make promising prospects household names with the likes of Jose Altuve, Bryce Harper, Jose Fernandez and Jason Heyward all playing in that game.

Former Minnesota Twins manager and two time World Series champion Tom Kelly will manage the US squad. Chicago Cubs third base prospect Kris Bryant and Cincinnati Reds slugging future start Joey Gallo lead the starting lineup. They both sit at 31 home runs and are currently tied for the lead in all of minor league baseball. Speaking of home run bashers, the Yankees will be represented by Trenton Thunder’s Peter O’Brien. He is right behind Bryant and Gallo with 29 home runs on the season.

Minnesota Twins pitching legend and Hall of Famer Bert Blyleven will coach the World team. The team is represented by seven countries and territories. Cleveland’s prized prospect, Francisco Lindor, will be making his third appearance in the game. Cubs all-world prospect Javier Baez also made the lineup. The Yankees are represented by Tampa’s Luis Severino. Severino has become the systems top pitching prospect and may even be their best prospect overall. His command and strikeout rate are astounding with 98 strikeouts/ 21 walks in 88.1 innings pitched this season.

Boston Red Sox Henry Owens is scheduled to start for the US against hometown Jose Berrios for the World team out of the Twins system. 27 out of the Top 100 prospects will be on display. The game is sure to be exciting as well as an inside look into the future of the MLB. Check back in with Yanks Go Yard later tonight for the recap of the days events.