Baseball America - 2003 Futures Game Rosters

2003 Futures Games Rosters

2003 Futures Game Updated July 10, 2003
Comments by Josh Boyd

Rosters for the fifth annual RadioShack All-Star Futures Game were announced today by Major League Baseball, Minor League Baseball and Baseball America.

The RadioShack All-Star Futures Game will feature the top U.S. and international Minor League prospects competing against each other as part of RadioShack All-Star Sunday, July 13 at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago. The game will begin at 4:30 p.m. (CDT) and will be televised live on ESPN2.

United States

C	Jeff Mathis, Angels
	The Skinny: Well-rounded athlete is raking in the Cal League, posting an OPS near .900.
C	Joe Mauer, Twins
	The Skinny: Arguably the best prospect in the minors, he earned a midseason promotion to Double-A
1B	Ryan Howard, Phillies
	The Skinny: His raw power ranks among the best in this year’s Futures class
1B	Adam LaRoche, Braves
	The Skinny: The son of former major league pitcher Dave LaRoche has graduated from sleeper to full-fledged prospect
2B	Josh Barfield, Padres
	The Skinny: Might not hit 40 home runs like his father, but should bring an offensive approach to second base
SS	J.J. Hardy, Brewers
	The Skinny: Despite being rushed to Double-A, he’s responded with breakout season
3B	Chad Tracy, Diamondbacks
	The Skinny: Boasts a .330-plus career average since being drafted in the seventh round in 2001
3B	Kevin Youkilis, Red Sox
	The Skinny: Known to some as the “The Greek God of Walks,” Youkilis has twice as many walks plus HBPs as strikeouts
MI	Chris Burke, Astros
	The Skinny: Playing more like a first-rounder this year and drawing comparisons to a young Craig Biggio
OF	Dave Krynzel, Brewers
	The Skinny: Playing like a leadoff hitter by drawing more walks, but power potential is the reason many think he’s the next Steve Finley
OF	Dave Kelton, Cubs
	The Skinny: Replacing the recently promoted Laynce Nix, Kelton has been tried at centerfield recently in response to Corey Patterson's season-ending injury.
OF	Grady Sizemore, Indians
	The Skinny: Not all former football players go the way of Josh Booty and Chad Hutchinson
OF	Stephen Smitherman, Reds
	The Skinny: Showing a newfound appreciation for plate discipline to go along with his tremendous power
UT	Khalil Greene, Padres
	The Skinny: First-rounder from 2002 jumped on fast track after monster senior season at Clemson
P	Neal Cotts, White Sox
	The Skinny: College draftee by the A’s in 2001, acquired last offseason with Billy Koch
P	J.D. Durbin, Twins
	The Skinny: Followed Joe Mauer from high A to Double-A after 9-2, 3.09 first half
P	Gavin Floyd, Phillies
	The Skinny: One of the premium prospects from the 2001 draft follows road paved by Brett Myers
P	Zack Greinke, Royals
	The Skinny: Last year's No. 6 overall pick has toyed with professional hitters as if they were high schoolers
P	Chris Narveson, Cardinals
	The Skinny: Added because of Dan Haren’s promotion to St. Louis, Narveson is a worthy candidate as he’s a fast-moving prospect two seasons removed from Tommy John surgery
P	Edwin Jackson, Dodgers
	The Skinny: Split time between the outfield and mound two summers ago but now is one of the organziation's best arms
P	Preston Larrison, Tigers
	The Skinny: Struggled in his Double-A debut, but a strong second half could move him into the woeful Detroit rotation
P	John Maine, Orioles
	The Skinny: Dominating the South Atlantic League and should get a second-half promotion to high Class A
P	Clint Nageotte, Mariners
	The Skinny: The minors' 2002 strikeout leader is at it again with 75 strikeouts in 78 innings
P	Royce Ring, Mets
	The Skinny: Another 2002 first-rounder, Ring made a smooth transition to the Double-A bullpen and was the key acquisition in the Mets trade of Roberto Alomar
P	John VanBenschoten, Pirates
	The Skinny: A controversial pick at the time as a pitcher, VanBenschoten has quickly become a fast-rising, polished pitching prospect
Coaches	Marty Brown, Buffalo Bisons (AAA/International) Tony DeFrancesco, Sacramento RiverCats (AAA/Pacific Coast) Brad Komminsk, Akron Aeros (AA/Eastern) Frank Kremblas, Huntsville Stars (AA/Southern) Tim Ireland, Frisco Roughriders (AA/Texas) Jeff Andrews, Altoona Curve (AA/Eastern)

World

C	Justin Huber, Mets (Australia)
	The Skinny: Second-time Futures gamer projects as Mike Piazza’s eventual successor
C	Guillermo Quiroz, Blue Jays (Venezuela)
	The Skinny: Always respected for his catch-and-throw skills, his bat came around last year, his power this year
1B	Scott Thorman, Braves (Canada)
	The Skinny: Last-minute addition to roster (replacing the promoted Chin-Feng Chen) has as much raw power as anyone in the Atlanta system
1B	Rene Reyes, Rockies (Venezuela)
	The Skinny: Primarily an outfielder, Reyes is taking advantage of friendly hitting conditions in Colorado Springs
2B	Ramon Nivar, Rangers (Dominican Republic)
	The Skinny: Moved from second base to center field to fill an organizational hole and take advantage of his speed
SS	Jose Castillo, Pirates (Venezuela)
	The Skinny: Coming off a strong winter in native Venezuela, but has been slow to adjust to Double-A
3B	Edwin Encarncaion, Reds (Dominican Republic)
	The Skinny: Starting him in Double-A after his breakthrough 2002 was too aggressive, but he’s rebounding in Class A
3B	Andy Marte, Braves (Dominican Republic
	The Skinny: Bounced back from a worrisome start to post promising numbers
UT	Pete LaForest, Devil Rays (Canada)
	The Skinny: Replacing Antonio Perez, who was called up to Tampa Bay, LaForest has demonstrated plus power from the left side in Triple-A
OF	Alexis Gomez, Royals (Dominican Republic)
	The Skinny: Royals have high hopes for the most athletic prospect in their system
OF	Franklin Gutierrez, Dodgers (Venezuela)
	The Skinny: Hasn’t stopped hitting since opening the season with four home runs in six games
OF	Felix Pie, Cubs (Dominican Republic)
	The Skinny: Last year's Rookie-level Arizona League MVP isn’t disappointing in his full-season debut
OF	Alexis Rios, Blue Jays (Puerto Rico)
	The Skinny: Emphasis on plate discipline has helped develop his raw talent at the plate
UT	Robinson Cano, Yankees (Dominican Republic)
	The Skinny: Power-hitting second baseman with the athletic versatility to play short, third and outfield
P	Travis Blackley, Mariners (Australia)
	The Skinny: Unlike another Aussie Mariners southpaw who has played in the Futures Game, Blackley has enough stuff to thrive in the upper levels
P	Jorge de la Rosa, Red Sox (Mexico)
	The Skinny: Dubbed the Mexican version of John Rocker when the Red Sox signed him, but only for his lively left arm
P	Rich Harden, Athletics (Canada)
	The Skinny: Opened with 13 perfect innings in the Texas League and has a better arm than the A’s Big Three
P	Denny Bautista, Marlins (Dominican Republic)
	The Skinny: Pedro Martinez’ cousin is back on track after a subpar 2002 and earned a recent promotion to Double-A
P	Edgar Gonzalez (Dominican Republic)
	The Skinny: Moves into the opening created by Angel Guzman’s injury; Gonzalez is a power sinker/slider pitcher who made his MLB debut earlier this season
P	Shawn Hill, Expos (Canada)
	The Skinny: Darkhorse prospect with a strong arm relies on sink to get grounders and keep the ball in the yard
P	Ervin Santana, Angels (Dominican Republic)
	The Skinny: No longer confused with the Twins' Johan Santana, and will compete in the same league soon
P	Seung Song, Expos (Korea)
	The Skinny: His impending arrival in Montreal will improve Omar Minaya’s trade history
P	Chin-Hui Tsao, Rockies (Taiwan)
	The Skinny: Showing no ill effects from Tommy John surgery two years ago and is among the minors' strikeout leaders
P	Merkin Valdez, Giants (Dominican Republic)
	The Skinny: “Merkin the Magician” fills the strike zone with upper-90s heat; has been hampered by a nagging leg injury
P	Chien-Ming Wang, Yankees (Taiwan)
	The Skinny: “Tiger” made an impressive two-level jump two years removed from major shoulder surgery
Coaches	Dave Miley, Louisville Bats (AAA/International) Al Pedrique, Tucson Sidewinders (AAA/Pacific Coast) Ron Johnson, Portland SeaDogs (AA/Eastern) Tracy Woodson, Carolina Mudcats (AA/Southern) Dave Brundage, San Antonio Missions (AA/Texas) Rafael Chaves, San Antonio Missions (AA/Texas)