2021 American League Futures Game Roster, Player-By-Player Analysis
Futures Game rosters are here! Below, find player-by-player analysis, as well as their 2021 stats through June 28th.
The roster is as follows. The team will be managed by LaTroy Hawkins.
PITCHERS
Shane Baz, Rays
Reid Detmers, Angels
Marcos Diplan, Orioles
Emerson Hancock, Mariners
Luis Medina, Yankees
Cole Ragans, Rangers
Josh Winder, Twins
Cole Winn, Rangers
Hector Yan, Angels
CATCHERS
Adley Rutschman, Orioles
Tyler Soderstrom, Athletics
Bo Naylor, Indians
INFIELDERS
Vidal Brujan, Rays
Jake Burger, White Sox
Jeter Downs, Red Sox
Austin Martin, Blue Jays
Nick Pratto, Royals
Spencer Torkelson, Tigers
Bobby Witt Jr., Royals
OUTFIELDERS
Yoelqui Cespedes, White Sox
Jasson Dominguez, Yankees
Riley Greene, Tigers
Jarred Kelenic, Mariners
Pedro Leon, Astros
Julio Rodriguez, Mariners
PITCHERS
Shane Baz, RHP, Rays (Triple-A Durham)
AGE: 22. B-T: R-R. HT.: 6-2. WT.: 190.
SOURCE: Concordia Lutheran HS, Tomball, Texas
HOW ACQUIRED: Trade with Pittsburgh on July 31, 2018.
BACKGROUND: Baz was the Pirates’ first-round pick in 2017, then was traded to the Rays along with Tyler Glasnow and Austin Meadows at the 2018 trade deadline. The move sent Chris Archer to Pittsburgh.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Baz’s arsenal and pitchability have improved across the board, including a dastardly changeup as a finisher. He can run his fastball into the triple-digits, too.
| PLAYER NAME | ORG | W | L | ERA | G | GS | SV | IP | H | HR | BB | SO |
| Shane Baz | TB | 3 | 3 | 2.12 | 10 | 10 | 0 | 46.2 | 31 | 3 | 5 | 69 |
Reid Detmers, LHP, Angels (Double-A Rocket City)
AGE: 22. B-T: R-R. HT.: 6-2. WT.: 210.
SOURCE: Louisville
HOW ACQUIRED: Selected by Angels in first round of 2020 draft.
BACKGROUND: Detmers earned a rep at Louisville as a polished strike thrower with a four-pitch mix, then parlayed an outstanding truncated 2020 season into a first-round selection.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Detmers’ fastball has jumped a tick this year, and he has excellent command of his entire arsenal. Those traits have helped him succeed at Double-A in his first turn as a pro.
| PLAYER NAME | ORG | W | L | ERA | G | GS | SV | IP | H | HR | BB | SO |
| Reid Detmers | LAA | 2 | 2 | 3.95 | 9 | 9 | 0 | 41 | 37 | 8 | 14 | 76 |
Marcos Diplan, RHP, Orioles (Triple-A Norfolk)
AGE: 24. B-T: R-R. HT.: 6-4. WT.: 200.
SOURCE: Dominican Republic
HOW ACQUIRED: Claimed off waivers from Tigers on Dec. 9, 2019.
BACKGROUND: Originally signed by the Rangers in 2013, Diplan has bounced around since then to the Brewers, Twins and Tigers before landing with Baltimore on a waiver claim.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Diplan will mix a low-90s fastball with a high-70s downer curveball primarily, with the occasional mid-80s changeup thrown almost exclusively to lefties.
| PLAYER NAME | ORG | W | L | ERA | G | GS | SV | IP | H | HR | BB | SO |
| Marcos Diplan | BAL | 2 | 2 | 2.57 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 15 | 0 | 5 | 17 |
Emerson Hancock, RHP, Mariners (High-A Everett)
AGE: 22. B-T: R-R. HT.: 6-4. WT.: 213.
SOURCE: Georgia
HOW ACQUIRED: Selected by Mariners in first round of the 2020 draft.
BACKGROUND: Hancock was the highest-rated righthander in the 2020 draft class thanks to a combination of excellent stuff as well as command and control.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Hancock brings his fastball in the 95-98 mph range and complements it with a potentially plus changeup and above-average slider. Some evaluators project him as a potential mid-rotation starter.
| PLAYER NAME | ORG | W | L | ERA | G | GS | SV | IP | H | HR | BB | SO |
| Emerson Hancock | SEA | 2 | 2 | 2.42 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 26 | 16 | 0 | 11 | 25 |
Luis Medina, RHP, Yankees (Double-A Somerset)
AGE: 22. B-T: 6-1. HT.: 175. WT.: R-R.
SOURCE: Dominican Republic
HOW ACQUIRED: Signed by Yankees as an international free agent on July 8, 2015
BACKGROUND: Medina had a live arm and an extremely high ceiling when signed, and both of those traits remain intact. He’s battled through extreme control issues to make himself a much more attractive prospect.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Medina will regularly run his fastball into the triple-digits and then get swings and misses on a dastardly downer curveball. He also mixes in a changeup that flashes plus as well.
| PLAYER NAME | ORG | W | L | ERA | G | GS | SV | IP | H | HR | BB | SO |
| Luis Medina | NYY | 2 | 2 | 3.80 | 9 | 9 | 0 | 42.2 | 29 | 5 | 27 | 65 |
Cole Ragans, LHP, Rangers (High-A Hickory)
AGE: 23. B-T: L-L. HT.: 6-4. WT.: 190.
SOURCE: North Florida Christian HS, Tallahassee, Fla.
HOW ACQUIRED: Selected by Rangers in first round of 2016 draft.
BACKGROUND: After an excellent turn in short-season ball in 2017, Ragans had two Tommy John surgeries. Combined with the pandemic, he missed three full seasons. The 2021 season is his first full-season test.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Ragans’ best pitch is his changeup. He started slowly this season but has rounded into form as the year has gone on and is beginning to resemble the pitcher the Rangers coveted in the draft.
| PLAYER NAME | ORG | W | L | ERA | G | GS | SV | IP | H | HR | BB | SO |
| Cole Ragans | TEX | 0 | 0 | 3.22 | 8 | 8 | 0 | 36.1 | 25 | 3 | 13 | 46 |
Josh Winder, RHP, Twins (Double-A Wichita)
AGE: 24. B-T: R-R. HT.: 6-5. WT.: 210.
SOURCE: Virginia Military Institute
HOW ACQUIRED: Selected by the Twins in the seventh round of the 2018 draft.
BACKGROUND: After an outstanding career at VMI, the Twins took Winder in 2018 and watched as he dominated the lower levels of the minor leagues before the pandemic interrupted his climb.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR: In his first taste of the upper levels, Winder has been excellent. He has shown a fastball in the 94-98 mph range as well as a potentially plus changeup and an above-average slider with an athletic delivery.
| PLAYER NAME | ORG | W | L | ERA | G | GS | SV | IP | H | HR | BB | SO |
| Josh Winder | MIN | 3 | 3 | 1.98 | 10 | 10 | 0 | 54.2 | 41 | 5 | 10 | 65 |
Cole Winn, RHP, Rangers (Double-A Frisco)
AGE: 21. B-T: R-R. HT.:6-2. WT.: 190.
SOURCE: Orange (Calif.) Lutheran HS
HOW ACQUIRED: Selected by Rangers in first round of 2018 draft.
BACKGROUND: After moving from Colorado to California to play against better competition, Winn thrived and his draft stock soared while he earned BA’s 2018 High School Player of the Year award.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Winn has been excellent this year, utilizing a mix of four potentially above-average or plus pitches. The repertoire is led by a mid-90s fastball and a powerful 12-6 curveball.
| PLAYER NAME | ORG | W | L | ERA | G | GS | SV | IP | H | HR | BB | SO |
| Cole Winn | TEX | 2 | 2 | 2.27 | 9 | 9 | 0 | 43.2 | 16 | 4 | 18 | 49 |
Hector Yan, LHP, Angels (High-A Tri-City)
AGE: 22. B-T: L-L. HT.: 5-11. WT.: 190.
SOURCE: Dominican Republic
HOW ACQUIRED: Signed as international free agent by Angels, Aug. 20, 2015.
BACKGROUND: Yan signed for a modest $80,000 in 2015 and has slowly blossomed into one of the best arms in the system in terms of pure stuff. Now, he needs to continue refining his command and control.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Yan uses a deceptive delivery to bring a 92-95 mph fastball that can touch as high as 98 and pair it with a wipeout slider.
| PLAYER NAME | ORG | W | L | ERA | G | GS | SV | IP | H | HR | BB | SO |
| Hector Yan | LAA | 0 | 0 | 6.41 | 9 | 9 | 0 | 39.1 | 34 | 9 | 29 | 47 |
CATCHERS
Adley Rutschman, C, Orioles (Double-A Bowie)
AGE: 23. B-T: S-R. HT.:6-2. WT.: 220.
SOURCE: Oregon State
HOW ACQUIRED: Selected by the Orioles in first round of 2019 draft.
BACKGROUND: Rutschman was one of the most decorated college prospects in recent memory and earned raves for his potential impact on both sides of the ball before being selected as the No. 1 overall draft pick.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Rutschman has hittability, power and standout defensive chops behind the plate. Whether it’s on offense or defense, he’s sure to be one of the stars of the game.
| PLAYER NAME | ORG | AVG | AB | H | 2B | 3B | HR | BB | SO | SB | OBP | SLG |
| Adley Rutschman | BAL | .284 | 169 | 48 | 6 | 0 | 11 | 39 | 34 | 0 | .423 | .515 |
Tyler Soderstrom, C, Athletics (Low-A Stockton Ports)
AGE: 19. B-T: L-R. HT.: 6-2. WT.: 205.
SOURCE: Turlock (Calif.) HS
HOW ACQUIRED: Selected by Athletics in first round of 2020 draft.
BACKGROUND: Soderstrom’s strong turn on the showcase circuit led the A’s to pop him with their first-round pick and sign him for the second-highest bonus given to a prep catcher in history, behind only Joe Mauer.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Soderstrom’s profile is offense over defense, but if he reaches his ceiling he could be a plus hitter with plus power.
| PLAYER NAME | ORG | AVG | AB | H | 2B | 3B | HR | BB | SO | SB | OBP | SLG |
| Tyler Soderstrom | OAK | .311 | 177 | 55 | 17 | 1 | 8 | 22 | 51 | 2 | .397 | .554 |
Bo Naylor, C, Indians (Double-A Akron RubberDucks)
AGE: 21. B-T: L-R. HT.: 6-0. WT.: 195.
SOURCE: St. Joan of Arc Catholic SS, Mississauga, Ontario
HOW ACQUIRED: Selected by the Indians in the first round of the 2018 draft.
BACKGROUND: Naylor earned his rep as an extremely athletic defender behind the plate, as well as a player with a smooth balanced stroke that could lead to a plus hit tool as he develops.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Naylor loves to throw, and could put on a show if runners try to test him.
| PLAYER NAME | ORG | AVG | AB | H | 2B | 3B | HR | BB | SO | SB | OBP | SLG |
| Bo Naylor | CLE | .183 | 115 | 21 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 14 | 47 | 3 | .271 | .270 |
INFIELDERS
Vidal Brujan, 2B, Rays (Triple-A Durham)
AGE: 23. B-T: 23. HT.: 5-10. WT.: 180.
SOURCE: Dominican Republic
HOW ACQUIRED: Signed as international free agent by Rays, Oct. 17, 2014.
BACKGROUND: Originally lauded primarily as a contact-oriented speedster, Brujan has developed into an offensive force who can play at multiple spots on the diamond and burn up the basepaths.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Brujan has an incredibly well-rounded game and could wow fans with his home run power, impact speed or stellar glovework in either the infield or outfield.
| PLAYER NAME | ORG | AVG | AB | H | 2B | 3B | HR | BB | SO | SB | OBP | SLG |
| Vidal Brujan | TB | .241 | 170 | 41 | 8 | 1 | 9 | 21 | 32 | 14 | .323 | .459 |
Jake Burger, 3B, White Sox (Triple-A Charlotte Knights)
AGE: 23. B-T: R-R. HT.: 6-2. WT.: 230.
SOURCE: Missouri State
HOW ACQUIRED: Selected by White Sox in first round of the 2017 draft
BACKGROUND: After an excellent pro debut, Burger was beset by injuries that cost him 2018 and 2019, then played in an independent league during the pandemic.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Burger has raked with Triple-A Charlotte, which is common. However, unlike most Charlotte players, Burger has been even better on the road than in his hitter-friendly confines.
| PLAYER NAME | ORG | AVG | AB | H | 2B | 3B | HR | BB | SO | SB | OBP | SLG |
| Jake Burger | CWS | .301 | 163 | 49 | 13 | 1 | 9 | 10 | 45 | 0 | .343 | .558 |
Jeter Downs, SS, Red Sox (Triple-A Worcester)
AGE: 22. B-T: R-R. HT.: 5-11. WT.: 195.
SOURCE: Pace HS, Miami Gardens
HOW ACQUIRED: Traded from Dodgers to Red Sox on Feb. 10, 2020.
BACKGROUND: Downs has been traded twice already, first from the Reds to the Dodgers in a Dec. 2018 blockbuster, then again as part of the freight for Mookie Betts in February 2020.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Downs should provide nifty defense up the middle and has the whippy bat speed to run into loud contact.
| PLAYER NAME | ORG | AVG | AB | H | 2B | 3B | HR | BB | SO | SB | OBP | SLG |
| Jeter Downs | BOS | .239 | 142 | 34 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 15 | 51 | 10 | .317 | .387 |
Austin Martin, SS, Blue Jays (Double-A New Hampshire Fisher Cats)
AGE: 22. B-T: R-R. HT.: 6-0. WT.: 185.
SOURCE: Vanderbilt
HOW ACQUIRED: Selected by the Blue Jays in first round of 2020 draft
BACKGROUND: Martin was the second-ranked prospect available in the 2020 draft, and the Blue Jays were happy to snatch him at No. 5 overall.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Martin has the tools to hit for average and power and has shown steady improvement after beginning his professional career at Double-A, where he’s seen time in the infield and outfield.
| PLAYER NAME | ORG | AVG | AB | H | 2B | 3B | HR | BB | SO | SB | OBP | SLG |
| Austin Martin | TOR | .275 | 142 | 39 | 9 | 1 | 2 | 22 | 43 | 4 | .391 | .394 |
Nick Pratto, 1B, Royals (Double-A Northwest Arkansas)
AGE: 22. B-T: L-L. HT.: 6-1. WT.: 215.
SOURCE: Huntington Beach (Calif.) HS
HOW ACQUIRED: Selected by the Royals in the first round of the 2017 draft.
BACKGROUND: After an abysmal season in 2019, Pratto changed his swing and has seen huge results, starting at the alternate training site and extending to the regular season.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Pratto has shown huge power all season long and should bring some of that juice to pregame batting practice and during the game.
| PLAYER NAME | ORG | AVG | AB | H | 2B | 3B | HR | BB | SO | SB | OBP | SLG |
| Nick Pratto | KC | .285 | 158 | 45 | 10 | 2 | 13 | 32 | 49 | 6 | .416 | .620 |
Spencer Torkelson, 1B/3B, Tigers (Double-A Erie)
AGE: 21. B-T: R-R. HT.: 6-1. WT.: 220.
SOURCE: Arizona State
HOW ACQUIRED: Selected by Tigers in first round of 2020 draft
BACKGROUND: Torkelson mashed from the moment he stepped on campus in Tempe, and his combination of power and hittability made him a slam-dunk choice for the No. 1 overall pick.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Torkelson has the power to be the star of this game and one of the centers of the Tigers’ rebuild. Look for long home runs in BP and the possibility of more fireworks during the game.
| PLAYER NAME | ORG | AVG | AB | H | 2B | 3B | HR | BB | SO | SB | OBP | SLG |
| Spencer Torkelson | DET | .298 | 151 | 45 | 13 | 1 | 8 | 28 | 35 | 3 | .413 | .556 |
Bobby Witt Jr., SS, Royals (Double-A Northwest Arkansas)
AGE:. B-T: R-R. HT.: 6-1. WT.: 200.
SOURCE: Colleyville (Texas) Heritage HS
HOW ACQUIRED: Selected by the Royals in the first round of the 2019 draft
BACKGROUND: Witt was the surefire No. 2 overall pick and the apple of the Royals’ eye all spring during his draft season. After a lost year due to the pandemic, Witt wowed in big league spring training and has continued during the regular year.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR: As one of just two players in Baseball America’s Top 100 with five potentially plus or better tools, Witt could make an impact in the field or at the plate on the minor leagues’ biggest stage.
| PLAYER NAME | ORG | AVG | AB | H | 2B | 3B | HR | BB | SO | SB | OBP | SLG |
| Bobby Witt Jr. | KC | .279 | 179 | 50 | 6 | 3 | 12 | 19 | 51 | 12 | .347 | .547 |
OUTFIELDERS
Yoelqui Cespedes, OF, White Sox (High-A Winston-Salem Dash)
AGE: 23. B-T: R-R. HT.: 5-9. WT.: 205.
SOURCE: Cuba
HOW ACQUIRED: Signed by White Sox as an international free agent on Jan. 15, 2021.
BACKGROUND: Cespedes is the half-brother of big leaguer Yoenis Cespedes and was a regular on the Cuban National Team before defecting and signing with the White Sox.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR: The White Sox lauded Cespedes for his all-fields power, so he could make some noise on a national level extremely early in his young career.
| PLAYER NAME | ORG | AVG | AB | H | 2B | 3B | HR | BB | SO | SB | OBP | SLG |
| Yoelqui Cespedes | CWS | .129 | 31 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 12 | 0 | .289 | .226 |
Jasson Dominguez, OF, Yankees (FCL Yankees)
AGE: 18. B-T: L-R. HT.: 5-10. WT.: 190.
SOURCE: Dominican Republic
HOW ACQUIRED: Signed as international free agent by Yankees, July 2, 2019.
BACKGROUND: Dominguez commanded the biggest bonus the Yankees have ever spent on an international amateur, and the anticipation only built while his first chance at a first impression was wiped out due to the pandemic.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Dominguez may be just a few games into his pro career, but he has a loud tool set across the board. If he can stand out against much more experienced players, his legend will only grow.
| PLAYER NAME | ORG | AVG | AB | H | 2B | 3B | HR | BB | SO | SB | OBP | SLG |
| Jasson Dominguez | NYY | .000 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | .333 | .000 |
Riley Greene, OF, Tigers (Double-A Erie)
AGE: 20. B-T: L-R. HT.: 6-3. WT.: 200.
SOURCE: Hagerty HS, Oviedo, Fla.
HOW ACQUIRED: Selected by Tigers in first round of 2019 draft.
BACKGROUND: Greene quickly opened eyes by shooting all the way to Low-A after being drafted out of high school, then continued impressing evaluators and fans alike after the pandemic in big league spring training and the regular season.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Greene is a gifted hitter with hittability and power, and would be perfectly equipped to set the table for the big boppers in the middle of the American League lineup.
| PLAYER NAME | ORG | AVG | AB | H | 2B | 3B | HR | BB | SO | SB | OBP | SLG |
| Riley Greene | DET | .269 | 171 | 46 | 5 | 2 | 8 | 24 | 56 | 8 | .365 | .462 |
Jarred Kelenic, OF, Mariners (Triple-A Tacoma)
AGE: 21. B-T: L-L. HT.: 6-1. WT.: 196.
SOURCE: Waukesha (Wis.) West HS
HOW ACQUIRED: Trade with Mets on Dec. 3, 2018.
BACKGROUND: Kelenic’s outstanding hit tool helped him join Gavin Lux as recent first-rounders to come out of Wisconsin high schools. The Mets drafted him sixth overall in 2018 then traded him to Seattle for Edwin Diaz and Robinson Cano.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Kelenic combines hitting ability and power into an outstanding package that should help him become a Mariners cornerstone.
| PLAYER NAME | ORG | AVG | AB | H | 2B | 3B | HR | BB | SO | SB | OBP | SLG |
| Jarred Kelenic | SEA | .295 | 95 | 28 | 4 | 1 | 7 | 12 | 18 | 6 | .373 | .579 |
Pedro Leon, OF, Astros (Double-A Corpus Christi)
AGE: 23. B-T: R-R. HT.: 5-10. WT.: 170.
SOURCE: Cuba
HOW ACQUIRED: Signed by the Astros as an international free agent on Jan. 15, 2021.
BACKGROUND: Leon was a bit of an unknown because of a lack of track record in Cuba’s Serie Nacional and not being heavily scouted in the Dominican Republic after he defected, but the Astros were confident enough to sign him for $4 million.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Leon has shown power and speed in his brief pro career, which began in Double-A, and he could bring that skill set with him to Denver.
| PLAYER NAME | ORG | AVG | AB | H | 2B | 3B | HR | BB | SO | SB | OBP | SLG |
| Pedro Leon | HOU | .229 | 144 | 33 | 6 | 0 | 6 | 19 | 57 | 10 | .339 | .396 |
Julio Rodriguez, OF, Mariners (Double-A Arkansas)
AGE: 20. B-T: R-R. HT.: 6-3. WT.: 180.
SOURCE: Dominican Republic
HOW ACQUIRED: Signed as international free agent by Mariners, July 2, 2017.
BACKGROUND: Rodriguez has been hitting since the day he signed, and he finished the 2019 season as an 18-year-old in High-A. This year, his legend has grown further and he appears on the track toward superstardom.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Rodriguez has all the tools to win the MVP of the Futures Game and to make his name even more widely known than it is already. Multiple evaluators give him a chance to have 70-grade hit and power tools, and he could be a plus or better defender and thrower as well.
| PLAYER NAME | ORG | AVG | AB | H | 2B | 3B | HR | BB | SO | SB | OBP | SLG |
| Julio Rodriguez | SEA | .325 | 117 | 38 | 8 | 2 | 6 | 14 | 29 | 5 | .410 | .581 |
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