2009 Futures Game Thread
By
Major League Baseball’s best prospects will all be on display today at the annual Futures Game, a showcase of the stars of tomorrow. Wunderkinds Jesus Montero and Manny Banuelos will be on hand in St. Louis to represent the Yankees. Montero was also in the game last year, so this will be his last go around since players can only participate twice.
The former Yankee great Alfonso Soriano was the MVP of the very first Futures Game in 1999, going 2 for 3 with two jacks and five RBI in Fenway Park. Current Bomber AJ Burnett took the mound in that same game. Robbie Cano, Dioner Navarro, Phil Hughes, Joba Chamberlain, Ramiro Pena, Jose Tabata, and Chien-Ming Wang are just some of the players who have represented the Yankees over the years.
On paper, it always seems like a mismatch in favor of the USA squad, but the World Team has actually won the game three of the last four years. I suppose that’s because of the megahyped amateur draft. Teams are limited to two participants, though some will only get one representative. Jason Churchill and Keith Law tell you everything you need to know about this year’s crop of players.
Here’s your starting lineups:
Team USA
1. Eric Young Jr., 2B, Rockies
2. Desmond Jennings, CF, Rays
3. Brett Wallace, 3B, Cardinals
4. Chris Carter, 1B, A’s
5. Pedro Alvarez, DH, Pirates
6. Chris Heisey, LF, Reds
7. Tyler Flowers, C, White Sox
8. Jason Heyward, RF, Braves
9. Danny Espinosa, SS, Pirates
- Chris Tillman, RGP, Orioles
World Team
1. Alcides Escobar, SS, Brewers
2. Tyson Gillies, RF, Mariners
3. Alex Liddi, 3B, Mariners
4. Barbaro Canizares, 1B, Braves
5. Jesus Montero, C, Yankees
6. Nick Weglarz, LF, Indians
7. Brett Lawrie, DH, Brewers
8. Wilmer Flores, 2B, Mets
9. Luis Durango, CF, Padres
- Junichi Tazawa, RHPP, Red Sox
Among non-Yanks, I’m most looking forward to seeing Jennings, Heyward, and Weglarz. Everyone selected for the game will play today, and no pitcher will work more than one inning. Here are the full rosters. The fun starts at 2pm and will air on ESPN2. Enjoy the game, the regular game thread for the Yanks will be along not long before first pitch.
Photo Credit: Jim McIsaac, Getty Images
“Montero is certain to become the next Yankees prospect to either be traded, or become the DH in the Bronx in a few years. He will not catch at the big-league level”
seems like Jason Churchill already made his mind up about Jesus
Oy Oy oy oy head desk.
Well if he nets us Brad Penny, since he is considered a Justin Smoak type bat, I’m ok with it. Too bad he can’t stay at catcher, or else we could have gotten Daniel Bard.
Considering the yanks lack young position players and also Montero is one the better hitting prospects the minors has seen in a while, I seriously doubt the yanks would trade him.
I still think he sticks at C, mainly cuz there isn’t any alternatives left anyway.
Not yet at least. We gotta hope Sanchez, Murphy, Higgy, Romine, or some other catcher pans out.
We should just hope Jesus stays and develops at catcher.
Wow, how bad does Montero have to be at C for people to think he won’t stick there with that bat? He better be randomly throwing ball into the outfield or something.
It’s not that he’s that bad. It’s just that his footwork is not there yet, but that can be imoroved by coaching and practice. The bigger problem is his size, he may be too big for the catching position. He does a good arm though.
frankie proved at least defensively he can fill the void for a year or 2 at worst.
he can fill the void at backup catch
he can be the backup next year to replace molina, sure…he also more than held his own as the starter for when Jorge is done…which should take us 2-3 years down the line total for all those catchers in the system to develop.
269/284/346 is exactly why Montero isn’t moving anywhere. Can Montero squat and catch? That’s all I need.
he held his own defensively yes. Cervelli starting for 120 games? no thanks
When I mean’t alternatives, I mean’t that if Montero can’t catch, where is he gonna go? DH is likely but do you want a 20 year old DH. Forget about 1st base, and too slow for the OF. Catcher is really the best position for him. Besides, you be surprise how many avg to bad catchers on D there are in the game.
good points. plus you look at Salty down in Texas, last year they were saying his future is at 1B, then magically over one offseason hes good enough to stay at catcher
It’s really funny how Villalona gets all the press over Montero because “he’s young for his level”, even though he’s struggling and Montero is raking.
Go Jesus! Show em what you got
anyone else surprised heyward is so low in the order?
Let’s go Jesus and ManBan!
Im big fan of the Future games. It really gives ya a sneak peak on the prospects and it’s quite neat to dream of the future of watching a game like this.
What did KLaw say about Montero? Im not an insider subscriber.
“• Jesus Montero, C: Montero catches, but few people outside the Yankees’ organization believe he’s a catcher long-term. Promoted to Double-A last month even though he won’t turn 20 until November, Montero is a big, strong kid with a powerful stroke and improving plate discipline, so when he eventually moves to first base or the DH spot, his bat will be more than enough for the position.”
Interesting.
does Jesus have enough athleticism to make a move like Ryan Braun to left?
He’s probably too slow.
comparable to carlos lee?
if he went to the OF i mean
or Adam dunn?
If Adam Dunn is “fast” enough to play the OF, I’d be willing to wager that the Jesus could play OF, too.
i guess everyone and their mothers forget how bad mike piazza was defensively behind the dish.
ever have doubts about the son of mo behind the plate? just remember mike piazza.
jesus was the first picture shown on the deuce
I keep getting all excited every time I see him.
I guess that is acceptable in this case
It was awesome, man.
Eh, no Peter Gammons, but Rick Sutcliffe is there.
*Eh, no Steve Phillips, but Rick Sutcliffe is there.
Wow, is Gammons really saying nice stuff about Montero?
Wow, Gammons is drooling over Tanazawa………nevermind, he’s just drooling.
Damn! I missed the tractor pull!!!!
What is this baseball crap on ESPN2 now?
jesus is so good even gammons is giving a yankee props…also said doesnt matter if he catches and will be in the majors next year.
Erin I love you.
If I was only half as hot as Erin…
You’d be treated with twice less the respect and paid half?
Haha if only we all were. There would be world peace.
Rebecca, she is a Red Sox fan and a Florida Gator fan. You are a thousand times more beautiful in my opinion.
It looks like Erin has recovered from the balls on her chin injury.
Peter Gammons’ problems come from the fact that he goes a bit too hard on Red Sox-centric things, not that he unfairly bashes the Yankees and others.
Anyone remember when he was literally crying on air after the Yankees traded for Boone? I’ve been trying to find this video for years.
I hope Canizaros doesn’t break his leg today.
That’s funny that Montero is the C and Lawrie is the DH.
Lawrie’s a second baseman now.
I feel so unpatriotic rooting for the World team…
Your faith in Jesus is more important than your patriotism.
or patriotism to the yanks before the US…
By the way, I love the dripping irony in this sentence.
with Tillman and Matusz the orioles have some really good pitching coming soon.
Damn, Escobar is fucking quick.
Heh I was searching for links to watch the futures game online on Google and the 4th search result was a link to Rebecca’s blog post about it.
Google Jesus Montero.
I wrote that post like two weeks ago and I am STILL getting hits on it.
No I’m talking about this one:
http://www.puristbleedspinstri.....-game.html
this dude is canadian?
Eh?
Yeah. He’s a good story, only 30% hearing in one ear.
Is Escobar wearing braces?
YES please don’t pull a Jeter and end the inning so i can see Jesus!
as long as we dont have a double play from canizares we will see Jesus this inning.
Montero on deck.
This guy has an awesome, awesome name.
Affirmed.
Mike – do you think that some of these younger guys either AA or A are overpowered by the better AAA pitchers in games like this?
Yes, I do.
How come at milb.com it lists Canizares as 30 y/o?
is it just me or does it look like tillman could stand to add another 10-15 lbs?
Barbaro Canizares!
Affirmed.
How is it raining right now? Jesus didn’t hit the ball into the clouds to bring down rain yet.
He hasn’t said “Peace! Be still,” either.
GO GO ALCIDES!!!
He’s my daughters favorite player
Oh, I so want Montero to wear #21 when he reaches the Majors.
That would be AWESOME.
They just listed Jesus Montero at 5′11, 180, seriously?
ROFL. ESPN is so dumb.
yeah when he was 5 years old
Really… am I missing something? Montero should weigh 3x as much from what I hear about his catching potential.
He’s 6′ 4″, 225 lbs from what I can read.
That’s what B-R and milb.com have him listed at.
Not a bad A-Bat by Montero.
Gets the run in! Woo!
any chance the yanks do with jesus they do what they did with jorge and girardi…maybe 80/80 with Frankie and DH the rest and work him to being it more full time?
If Cervelli is catching 80% of the games at any point (minus HUGE offensive development), something went hella wrong.
once again u dont read 80 games not 80%
I was thinking about that earlier. I’d like to see it.
I could see that.. it would make for a real full life circle thing….and with girardi managing too…. odd…
lightning !!
I guess Mitre has answered any questions about if he should be called up.
Edwar’s doing his best to blow the game, though.
luckily for scranton edwar failed in that effort too.
he was quicker than i expected…certainly faster than adam dunn so if he can play of jesus certainly can if he cant stick at catcher which im still not sold on giving up on that yet.
He’s also 19, when he gets to 28-29 like Adam Dunn, he’s going to be really slow too.
by then tex will be gone…so 1st base and DH are his.
I will say this, Montero is quite big and I mean muscular and cock diesel type of way.
agreed. damn i really wish we could watch minor league games on tv. id watch trenton thunder games all season if we could.
Rain delay
Danny Espinosa is a National, not a Pirate.
ahh nooo im going to go cry now..
Montero didn’t start last year?
I miss the old Stadium….
LOL Phillips screwed up Richard’s name.
hey don’t fault Phillips. Dyslexia is such a tough thing to have.
…..wait, Phillips doesn’t have that? He’s just an idiot? well, nevermind then.
brewer hit his first jack for tampa. romine 2 for 3 with a double.
noesi pretty solid 5 in 3 runs 8K’s
Hey, does the World Team ever get to be home?
Maybe if Toronto hosts the ASG…?
They’re playing on American soil, screw those commies!
Yes. Every game. Oh-bat second?
how bout those Brewers?!?!
It’s important to remind them that they’re foreigners and that they’re different from us.
Jesus Looked small(er) with tillman pitching
Yeah, didn’t look anywhere near 6′4″
5″ 10″, 5′ 11″ tops. Looked lighter too, somwhere around 180 or so.
If that’s the case, it seems his chances of sticking at C are better since he’s not as big as we thought.
Don’t worry, he’s a big dude.
Tampa is coming to town this week, Mike. So you know what that means, more terrible pictures coming your way.
The World team would look better wearing road grays. Looking at last year’s game, Carrasco looks pretty sharp.
BUST
Heh, anyone else laugh when Davey Johnson said he taught the Mets would win the division during the replay of last year’s Futures Game?
I know I did.
I feel old.
I’m now old enough where these guys are exactly my age. It’s like, what am I doing with my life?
I’m old enough that these guys are younger by multiple years.
Im 24 and up to my eyballs in student loan debt while a kid like Jesus Montero is a 19-year-old playin before the MLB All Star Game.
FML
Today I was watching the MLB Futures Game on TV. I noticed that many of the players were of the same age as me or younger. At that moment, I was more aware of the fact that I was getting older. MLIA.
22 aint bad, eh
I was in the stands when Cameron Maybin hit his first career HR off of Roger Clemens. Cameron’s like…two months older than I am. It made me feel unaccomplished.
Unaccomplished?
You’re the president of the Nick Swisher fan club!!!(that doesn’t really exist))
Did Steve Phillips just say that Venezuelans are more intelligent than other latinos?
It’s just simple mathematics.
Dominicans and Venezuelans learn English and adjust to life in the States faster and they learn the complexities of the game faster as well.
I kept waiting for him to give any sort of explanation… but he didn’t.
Why are we watching last year’s futures game?
Rain delay for this year’s future game.
Ah thanks. Just got in and was confused.. lol
cause it’s a rain delay.
ZOMG how does St. Louie build a new park without teh retracterable roof!1!11!
Because it’s not 30 in April…
IETC
YES!!!!! After a hour of looking, I found the online link to watch this game. I’m not sure if it’s legal.
The game on espn?
Yep
Unless you found it on MLB.com, it’s not legal. Don’t post it here.
Oh I know, that’s why I didn’t.
Thanks. Appreciate it.
Heh, stuff like justin.tv is probably not legal all, but the way I see it, it’s a victimless crime.
Pablo Sandoval’s free swinging reminds me of Cano and they both started well in the Majors
So it looks like there will be rain for the next 2-3 hours. Has anyone heard what the plans are for this thing? Will they just wait it out, postpone it until tomorrow..?
YES just had a good feature during the pregame on the youngsters in Trenton (Jesus, Z-Mac and Bleich)
I think those videos have been on their site for like a week and a half now.
well excuse me then for not frequenting the YES site enough i guess
heh my bad if that sounded bad…I was just saying
its cool. i never go there especially for stuff on the minors since they never seem to talk about it, so i was surprised to even see that and i assume they only ran it today cause of the futures game.
Crap. This delay probably means no Madison Bumgarner. He was warming up before the delay.
This is so awesome. I was so pissed I had to miss the game to go to my stupid softball games. Luckily we got mercy ruled both games and I just got home almost EXACTLY where I left off.
My team lost a game 36-19 last year.
Hahah nice. This was actually an improvement, last time we played this team it was 35-6.
Wow. That was the only team taht really put a hurting on us last year. We’re much better this year: 6-2.
That must be nice, we’re 0-season.
Ouch. What position do you play?
LF and CF. We’re just too error prone. Rarely is there ever a clean play. Cutoff men are missed, grounders are botched, line drives are misjudged the pitcher walks the park, it’s kinda funny. We all have a great time at least.
What about you?
LF. We’re pretty solid now, but every few games we’ll have that one awful inning.
Nice, LF is the spot to be if you wanna see some action.
Yeah, word. The LCF and I cover a good amount of ground.
is the sun really out and its still f’n raining?
This international team is FAAAAST.
+a lot
dont you know thats the way all teams are playing nowadays.
Ugh Montero with the groundout.
That’s a pitch you know he wants back. If he sees that again, he smokes it to the Arch.
Gillies with the Ryan Freel type effort (i.e. whoa, slow down, man).
Wow…people are pricks, huh?
Just turned on the game, is Montero still behind the plate?
Nah he got his 2 ab’s now he’s out.
Dammit.
Manny hasn’t pitched yet though so u still have that to look forward to.
So the proof of Alvarez being an impact hitter is threading a groundball between the 1st and 2nd basemen? Um OK?
ha yeah i saw that too. hes such a gritty player bouncing the ball past the first baseman and having no one cover for the second baseman
Eric Young JR has 48SB (9 CS) in 82 games, thats pretty sick
I’ll say.
Not to mention he just just a bomb to right center.
Wow, perfect throw.
Yeah Astros prospect Jason Castro! U-S-A! U-S-A!
Got that everyone!?!? Casey Kelly is NOT good…HE’S GREAT!
-Peter Gammons
He did look pretty good though. Nice curveball.
GODDAMNIT!!!! Didn’t you hear!?!? NOT good…GREAT!!!!!!
heh, my apologies Peter.
That was the most impressive inning that I have ever witnessed from a pitcher. The control, the velocity and the poise. If Da Vinci was a pitcher, his name would be Casey Kelly. If the Dalai Lama was a pitcher, his name would be Casey Kelly. If Casey Kelly was a shortstop, his name would be Casey Kelly.
Casey Kelly: God in a baseball uniform.
The Red Sox aren’t smart with their draft choices. They are goddamn geniuses!
what inning did montero bat? i recorded the game but cause of the rain delay i lost most of it.
1st and 3rd. Unfortunately they were like 4 hours apart.
Looks like were not going to get to see Manny Banny. Too bad.
These scrubs need to put some runs up so maybe man ban can close it out.
Nah, they said its a 7 inning game. Its the bottom of the 7th.
top of the 7th.
Whoops! Top of the 7th, they just tied it. Maybe you’re right.
Niiice, ask and I shall receive.
Hooray runs!
The World comes back with a vengeance this inning. They were all inspired by Jesus.
They were just relieved that they weren’t facing Casey Kelly.
PLEASE PUT MANNY IN
dammit.
This is unacceptable. We need USA to knock this pitcher out so Manny can come in.
2 runs in the bottom of the 7th would be nice.
MAN BAN IS WARMING
They should have put him in. Let him at least get one out and play.
(Q: I missed Jesus’ time–is this game archived anywhere?)
…I really thought I was creating a new comment. Whoops.
Manny is not pitching
(((
hes warming up
Manny sighting in the bullpen!
we need a walk here no K
WHAT THE FUCK PUT HIM IN THIS IS BULLSHIT.
What’s with the players’ names now: Anthony, David, Russell, etc.??? What’s next, knighting them and our referringto them as “Sir?” Can we PLEASE get rid of “PITCH by PITCH?” Why would I care to go back over an at-bat and micromanage what pitches were thrown and where? And can a trade be arranged? The Yankees can send Michael Kay, John Flaherty, John Stirling, Chien Ming-Wang, and Suzyn Waldman to Baltimore for one of Boog Powell’s barbequed rib sandwiches. Now to Melky yesterday. The Angel’s pitcher had enough time to fake a throw to third, fake a throw to second, take a glance at the American League President’s signature on the baseball, THEN fire to first base and double him off!! UGGGGHHHH!