This year's MLB Futures Game will look different in Cleveland.
Rather than the traditional format of World vs. United States, the two sides have been split according to their league, like the All-Star Game. And for the first time since 1999, when the inaugural exhibition was played, the game will last seven innings.
What won't change is the quality caliber of prospects on display Sunday at 7 p.m ET. Here are 10 prospects that are more than capable of catching the eye on the biggest stage for minor leaguers.
1. Wander Franco, SS, Rays
Beware of the braces.
He's only 18 and this is only his first full season of professional ball in the U.S., but that hasn't stopped Franco from becoming the game's top overall prospect, according to MLB Pipeline.
The switch-hitting shortstop advanced to Class A Advanced Charlotte last week and he went 10-for-18 with two homers during his first five games. His high offensive ceiling became apparent in 2018 when he hit .351/.418/.587 as a 17-year-old in the Rookie ball.
Franco can also impact the game with his speed and defense, both of which grade out above-average.
2. MacKenzie Gore, LHP, Padres
The third overall pick in 2017, Gore is living up to expectations thus far. After blister issues hindered his 2018 season in Class A, he jumped to the hitter-friendly California League, where he's been anything but amicable to opposing batters.
Over 79 ⅓ innings (15 starts), Gore has whiffed 110 hitters – compared to 20 walks – and has held opponents to a .137 average with a 1.02 ERA.
The Padres took MacKenzie Gore third overall in 2017. (Photo: Jake Roth, USA TODAY Sports)
The 20-year-old employs a deadly fastball-curveball combination to keep hitters off balance, but his slider and changeup are also weapons in his arsenal. Gore has the stuff and makeup to become a front-end starter one day, and perhaps he can offer a glimpse of that possibility Sunday.
3. Jo Adell, OF, Angels
Adell twisted his leg rounding second base during a spring training game and missed the first two months of the season with a right ankle sprain and a left hamstring strain.
He's showing no ill effects so far for Class AA Mobile. Since joining the BayBears last month, the fourth-ranked overall prospect is batting .360/.430/.607 with four homers, 12 RBI and four stolen bases entering Friday.
Jo Adell catches a fly ball in the third inning against the Brewers at Tempe Diablo Stadium during spring training. (Photo: Matt Kartozian, USA TODAY Sports)
In last year's Futures Game, Adell went 1-for-4 with a double and plated a run with a sacrifice fly during the U.S. club's 10-6 victory.
4. Deivi Garcia, RHP, Yankees
As the Yankees gear up for a pennant run, their quest for a starting pitcher ranks high on their list of priorities leading up to the non-waiver trade deadline on July 31.
To gain an ace, they may have to give up a potential future one. Would the Yankees be willing to part with Garcia, who has been lights out as of late? Teams will almost certainly be checking on his availability, but perhaps he's already done enough for New York to consider him untouchable.
On June 18, the 20-year-old fanned 15 batters in six innings for Class AA Trenton. He followed that performance with nine punchouts over five no-hit innings during his next outing. Overall, Garcia has 114 strikeouts in 68 ⅔ frames this year.
One of the more underrated arms in the Minor Leagues may not avoid the spotlight much longer after Sunday.
5. Christian Pache, OF, Braves
The Braves have infused their big league roster with plenty of homegrown talent lately and still own one of the top systems in the league. That's in large part thanks to Pache, who has developed offensively over the last year to emerge as one of the best outfield prospects.
Christian Pache during spring training. (Photo: Kim Klement, USA TODAY Sports)
For Class AA Mississippi, Pache has more homers (11) than he had in his career (nine) prior to this year. What was never in question regarding the 20-year-old was speed and defensive ability. He has blazing speed and his defense in center field might be the most advanced part of his game at this point, with ample range and a strong arm.
6. Nate Pearson, RHP, Blue Jays
Toronto has exercised caution with Pearson this year, with good reason. The righty began 2018 on the injured list and five outs into his first start of the season suffered a broken arm that kept him out for the rest of the regular season.
Pearson salvaged some of the missed time in the Arizona Fall League, where he made a key adjustment – strictly pitching out of the stretch. The results have been solid this season between Class A Advanced Dunedin and Class AA New Hampshire.
Nate Pearson during the 2018 Arizona Fall League All-Star Game. (Photo: Mark J. Rebilas, USA TODAY Sports)
He's yet to go more than five innings in a start and the Jays are alternating his outings between five- and two-inning stints to curtail his workload early in the season. Regardless, the flame-thrower should shine if he's given a chance Sunday – his fastball could eclipse 100 mph in a heightened environment.
7. Gavin Lux, SS/2B, Dodgers
Corey Seager may be blocking him at the next level, and the Dodgers aren't necessarily in need of much help on offense. Nevertheless, Lux still has presented himself as an elite prospect, creating a good problem to have in Los Angeles.
The Dodgers selected him in the first round of the 2016 Draft and he found his groove at the plate last season. This year, he kept raking for Class AA Tulsa (.313/.375/.521 with 13 homers) and was promoted to Class AAA Oklahoma City last week. There, he has 14 hits – six for extra-bases – in his first 27 at-bats.
8. Jarred Kelenic, OF, Mariners
The Mets took Kelenic with the sixth overall pick a year ago and shipped him to Seattle as part of the package that sent Edwin Diaz and Robinson Cano to Queens. Naturally, the 19-year-old immediately began mashing for Class A West Virginia.
The Mariners saw enough to move him to Class A Advanced, where he initially cooled off and dealt with a wrist injury. But he's back on the field and is heating up at the plate. As always, Kelenic could demonstrate his athleticism in the outfield and power potential Sunday.
9. Alek Thomas, OF, Diamondbacks
Thomas was 18 when he began the season, his first full campaign in the Minors. And so far, so good, as he entered Friday hitting .308 with a .888 OPS and eight homers for Class A Kane County.
In addition to his advanced bat, the 2018 second-rounder has exceptional speed and a glove that plays well at any spot in the outfield. Don't be surprised if Thomas finds a way to make an impact Sunday.
10. Grayson Rodriguez, RHP, Orioles
Baltimore is bottoming out amid a rebuild, but Rodriguez offers a positive glimpse into the future. The No. 11 overall pick from last year was a Texas prep standout just a year ago, but his 6-foot-5, 220-pound frame has helped make his adjustment to pro ball easier.
Rodriguez's stuff also makes him elite, with a fastball, curveball, slider, changeup repertoire. For a young hurler, he has superb command of all four pitches.
Through 12 starts with Class A Delmarva, the right-hander is 7-2 with a 2.12 ERA and 84 whiffs over 62 innings.
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