2021 National 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 Vinny Castilla, and the coaching staff includes former Braves star Andruw Jones as its hitting coach.

PITCHERS

Cade Cavalli, Nationals
Roansy Contreras, Pirates
Andre Jackson, Dodgers
Matthew Liberatore, Cardinals
Nick Lodolo, Reds
Max Meyer, Marlins
Quinn Priester, Pirates
Manuel Rodriguez, Cubs
Ethan Small, Brewers

CATCHERS

Francisco Alvarez, Mets
Luis Campusano, Padres
Willie MacIver, Rockies

INFIELDERS

CJ Abrams, Padres
Brett Baty, Mets
Michael Busch, Dodgers
Nolan Gorman, Cardinals
Marco Luciano, Giants
Bryson Stott, Phillies
Michael Toglia, Rockies

OUTFIELDERS

Brennen Davis, Cubs
Mike Harris, Braves
Heliot Ramos, Giants
Alek Thomas, D-backs
Ryan Vilade, Rockies
Drew Waters, Braves

PITCHERS

Cade Cavalli, RHP, Nationals (Double-A Harrisburg)
AGE: 22. B-T: R-R. HT.: 6-4: WT.: 230.

SOURCE: Oklahoma

HOW ACQUIRED: Selected by Nationals in first round of 2020 draft.

BACKGROUND: Cavalli spent two years as Oklahoma’s No. 1 starter and was one of the hardest-throwing pitchers in the 2020 draft class.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Cavalli has an explosive arsenal topped by a fastball that reaches 98 mph and is capable of racking up strikeouts in bunches.

Roansy Contreras, RHP, Pirates (Double-A Altoona)
AGE: 21. B-T: R-R. HT.: 6-0. WT.: 175.

SOURCE: Dominican Republic

HOW ACQUIRED: Acquired from Yankees in trade for RHP Jameson Taillon in January 2021.

BACKGROUND: Contreras was signed out of the same Dominican training program that produced Gary Sanchez and Miguel Andujar and showed impressive control from an early age.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Contreras keeps adding velocity and now sits in the mid 90s while maintaining his impeccable control.

Andre Jackson, RHP, Dodgers (Double-A Tulsa)
AGE: 25 . B-T: R-R. HT.: 6-3. WT.: 215.

SOURCE: Utah

HOW ACQUIRED: Selected by Dodgers in 12th round of 2017 draft.

BACKGROUND: Jackson was primarily an outfielder in college but was drafted as a pitcher because of the arm strength he showed in limited bullpen stints.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Jackson is one of the Dodgers’ hardest-throwing pitchers at his best. His fastball has reached 98 mph and he complements it with a curveball, changeup and slider.

Matthew Liberatore, LHP, Cardinals (Triple-A Memphis)
AGE: 21 . B-T: L-L . HT.: 6-4. WT.: 200.

SOURCE: Mountain Ridge HS, Glendale, Ariz.

HOW ACQUIRED: Acquired from Rays in trade for OF Randy Arozarena and DH Jose Martinez in January 2020.

BACKGROUND: Liberatore was considered the best high school pitching prospect in the 2018 draft class and was picked 16th overall by the Rays.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Liberatore has advanced polish and feel for using his four-pitch mix. His slider, curveball and changeup are all weapons that get swings and misses.

Nick Lodolo, LHP, Reds (Double-A Chattanooga)
AGE: 23. B-T: L-L. HT.: 6-6. WT.: 205.

SOURCE: Texas Christian

HOW ACQUIRED: Selected by Reds in first round of 2019 draft.

BACKGROUND: Lodolo starred for three seasons in TCU’s rotation and was the first pitcher selected in the 2019 draft.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Lodolo features a fastball up to 95 mph and a devastating curveball that is one of the best pitches in the Reds system. He ties it all together with impeccable control.

Max Meyer, RHP, Marlins (Double-A Pensacola)
AGE: 22. B-T: L-R. HT.: 6-0 . WT.: 196.

SOURCE: Minnesota

HOW ACQUIRED: Selected by Marlins in first round of 2020 draft.

BACKGROUND: Meyer possessed one of the best sliders scouts had ever seen in college and was taken third overall in the 2020 draft.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Meyer’s slider remains his signature pitch. He backs it up with a fastball that reaches the mid 90s.

Quinn Priester, RHP, Pirates (High-A Greensboro)
AGE: 20. B-T: R-R. HT.: 6-3. WT.: 200.

SOURCE: Cary-Grove HS, Cary, Ill.

HOW ACQUIRED: Selected by Pirates in first round of 2019 draft.

BACKGROUND: Priester is largely a self-taught pitcher who worked himself into a top draft prospect and became the 18th overall pick in the 2019 draft.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Priester has gotten stronger and now boasts a fastball that sits in the mid 90s and touches 99 mph. His curveball is a wipeout pitch and he has advanced control for his age.

Manuel Rodriguez, RHP, Cubs (Double-A Tennessee)
AGE: 24. B-T: R-R. HT.: 5-11. WT.: 210.

SOURCE: Mexico

HOW ACQUIRED: Purchased by Cubs from Mexican League in 2016.

BACKGROUND: Rodriguez won the Mexican League’s rookie of the year award in 2015 as the closer for Yucatan and was signed by the Cubs the following year.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Rodriguez features a fastball up to 98 mph and a hard slider that gets swings and misses.

Ethan Small, LHP, Brewers (Triple-A Nashville)
AGE: 24. B-T: L-L. HT.: 6-4. WT.: 215.

SOURCE: Mississippi State

HOW ACQUIRED: Selected by Brewers in first round of 2019 draft.

BACKGROUND: Small won Southeastern Conference pitcher of the year in his final season at Mississippi State and has moved quickly up the minors.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Small is a deceptive lefthander who will alter his leg kick in his delivery to disrupt hitters’ timing. His low-90s fastball gets on hitters faster than they expect and his changeup is a swing-and-miss weapon.

CATCHERS

Francisco Alvarez, C, Mets (High-A Brooklyn)
AGE: 19 . B-T: R-R. HT. 5-10. WT.: 233.

SOURCE: Venezuela

HOW ACQUIRED: Signed by the Mets as an international free agent in 2018.

BACKGROUND: Alvarez was one of the top prospects in the 2018 international signing class. His workout program when he was growing up? Working for his father’s construction company.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Alvarez has enormous strength and power at the plate and is a poised defensive catcher with impressive arm strength.

Luis Campusano, C, Padres (Triple-A El Paso)
AGE: 22. B-T: R-R. HT.: 5-11. WT.: 232.

SOURCE: Cross Creek (Ga.) HS

HOW ACQUIRED: Selected by Padres in second round of 2017 draft.

BACKGROUND: Campusano quickly established himself as one of the best hitting catchers in the minors after being drafted and owns a nearly .300 career batting average.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Campusano is impressively strong and pummels balls from line to line at the plate. He mostly hits hard line drives but can elevate for home runs too.

Willie MacIver, C, Rockies (High-A Spokane)
AGE: 24. B-T: R-R. HT.: 6-2. WT.: 205.

SOURCE: Washington

HOW ACQUIRED: Selected by Rockies in ninth round of 2018 draft.

BACKGROUND: MacIver mostly played third base in college but showed intriguing potential in his brief playing time at catcher. He has taken to the position quickly in pro ball.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: MacIver is an agile defender with a big arm and has thrown out 35% of basestealers in his career. He has steadily improved as a hitter and begun showing increased power.

Prospect Promotion Incentive: Taking Stock Of Year One & Looking Ahead To 2023

The Mariners added the 29th pick in the 2023 draft simply by rostering their 26 best players on Opening Day last year. Even more teams are poised to add picks in the 2024 draft, thanks to the Prospect Promotion Incentive.

INFIELDERS

CJ Abrams, SS, Padres (Double-A San Antonio)
AGE: 20. B-T: L-R. HT.:6-2. WT.: 205.

SOURCE: Blessed Trinity HS, Roswell, Ga.

HOW ACQUIRED: Selected by Padres in first round of 2019 draft.

BACKGROUND: An explosive athlete who can dunk a basketball, Abrams is one of the fastest players in the minor leagues.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Abrams makes a lot of contact and uses his speed liberally on the bases. He can steal a base almost any time he wants.

Brett Baty, 3B, Mets (High-A Brooklyn)
AGE: 21. B-T: L-R. HT.: 6-3. WT.: 210.

SOURCE: Lake Travis HS, Austin, Texas.

HOW ACQUIRED: Selected by Mets in first round of 2019 draft.

BACKGROUND: Baty was one of the best pure hitters in the 2019 draft class and was taken 12th overall by the Mets. He has cemented that reputation with a dominant first full season of pro ball.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Baty drives a lot of singles and doubles from the left side, but he has the power to launch long home runs as well.

Michael Busch, 2B, Dodgers (Double-A Tulsa)
AGE: 23. B-T: L-R. HT.: 6-1 WT.: 210.

SOURCE: North Carolina

HOW ACQUIRED: Selected by Dodgers in first round of 2019 draft.

BACKGROUND: Busch established himself as one of college baseball’s top hitters at North Carolina and was picked 31st overall by the Dodgers. They transitioned him from first base to second base as a pro.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Busch is a patient hitter who works long at-bats until he gets a pitch to drive. He frequently draws walks but is equally capable of driving the ball from gap to gap.

Nolan Gorman, 3B, Cardinals (Double-A Springfield)
AGE: 21. B-T: L-R. HT.: 6-1. WT.: 210.

SOURCE: Sandra Day O’ Connor HS, Phoenix

HOW ACQUIRED: Selected by Cardinals in first round of 2018 draft.

BACKGROUND: Gorman won home run derbies at Wrigley Field and Marlins Park while in high school and has continued to show massive power in the minors.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Gorman destroys baseballs and has the power to hit jaw-dropping home runs to any part of the park.

Marco Luciano, SS, Giants (Low-A San Jose)
AGE: 19. B-T: R-R. HT.: 6-2. WT.: 178.

SOURCE: Dominican Republic.

HOW ACQUIRED: Signed by Giants as an international free agent in 2018.

BACKGROUND: Luciano was one of the top prospects in the 2018 international class and quickly established himself as an elite hitting prospect after signing.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Luciano is very advanced for his age at the plate and has the ability to hit for both average and power.

Bryson Stott, SS, Phillies (Double-A Reading)
AGE: 23. B-T: L-R. HT.: 6-3. WT.: 200.

SOURCE: Nevada-Las Vegas

HOW ACQUIRED: Selected by Phillies in first round of 2019 draft.

BACKGROUND: Stott established himself as one of the top college shortstops on both sides of the ball at UNLV and was picked 14th overall by the Phillies.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Stott is a steady player who makes all the plays defensively and makes frequent contact offensively. He has started to show increased power.

Michael Toglia, 1B, Rockies (High-A Spokane)
AGE: 22. B-T: B-R. HT.: 6-5. WT.: 226.

SOURCE: UCLA

HOW ACQUIRED: Selected by Rockies in first round of 2019 draft.

BACKGROUND: Toglia has long impressed with his athleticism and power potential as a switch-hitter. The Rockies made him the 23rd overall pick in 2019.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: A patient hitter with a discerning eye, Toglia draws a lot of walks and is a more dangerous hitter from the left side than the right.

OUTFIELDERS

Brennen Davis, OF, Cubs (Double-A Tennessee)
AGE: 21 . B-T: R-R. HT.:. 6-4 WT.: 210.

SOURCE: Basha HS, Chandler, Ariz.

HOW ACQUIRED: Selected by Cubs in second round of 2018 draft.

BACKGROUND: One of the best athletes in his draft class, Davis was a basketball star in high school and didn’t focus solely on baseball until his senior year.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Davis is an impressive defender in the outfield on the strength of his athleticism and is progressively improving as a hitter.

Michael Harris II, OF, Braves (High-A Rome)
AGE: 20. B-T: L-L. HT.: 6-0. WT.: 195.

SOURCE: Stockbridge (Ga.) HS

HOW ACQUIRED: Selected by Braves in third round of 2019 draft.

BACKGROUND: Harris was a standout pitcher as well as outfielder in high school and had legitimate pro potential as both. The Braves drafted him as an outfielder and he has quickly become a standout.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Harris is an exceptional athlete who can do a little bit of everything including hit, hit for power and steal bases.

Heliot Ramos, OF, Giants (Double-A Richmond)
AGE: 21 . B-T: R-R. HT.: 5-9. WT.: 232.

SOURCE: Leadership Christian Academy HS, Guaynabo, P.R.

HOW ACQUIRED: Selected by Giants in first round of 2017 draft.

BACKGROUND: The younger brother of Puerto Rico national soccer team player Hector Ramos, Heliot is the highest player drafted from Puerto Rico since Carlos Correa was taken first overall in 2012.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: The thickly-built Ramos has big power and sneaky athleticism for his size. He is a surprisingly good defender who makes impressive plays in the outfield.

Alek Thomas, OF, D-backs (Double-A Amarillo)
AGE: 21 . B-T: L-L. HT.: 5-11. WT.: 175.

SOURCE: Mount Carmel HS, Chicago

HOW ACQUIRED: Selected by D-backs in second round of 2019 draft

BACKGROUND: Thomas is the son of White Sox strength and conditioning coach Allen Thomas. He was committed to play both football and baseball at Texas Christian before signing with the D-backs.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Thomas is strong in his frame and drives balls hard on a line to the outfield. His speed and athleticism stand out both on the basepaths and in the outfield.

Ryan Vilade, OF, Rockies (Triple-A Albuquerque)
AGE: 22 . B-T: R-R. HT.: 6-2. WT.: 226.

SOURCE: Stillwater (Okla.) HS

HOW ACQUIRED: Selected by Rockies in second round of 2017 draft.

BACKGROUND: Vilade is the son of longtime coach and scout James Vilade. Ryan grew up around the game getting tips from players like Elvis Andrus when his dad coached in the Rangers system.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Vilade is a strong hitter who drives balls on a line to the outfield. He is new to playing the corner outfield spots after originally playing shortstop and third base.

Drew Waters, OF, Braves (Triple-A Gwinnett)
AGE: 22 . B-T: B-R. HT.: 6-2. WT.: 185.

SOURCE: Etowah HS, Woodstock, Ga,

HOW ACQUIRED: Selected by Braves in second round of 2017 draft.

BACKGROUND: Waters was widely considered the top position player in Georgia in 2017 and was drafted by the hometown Braves. He won the batting title and MVP award of the Double-A Southern League in 2019.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Waters is a good athlete with the speed to steal bases when he gets on. He is still working to find an approach that works against high-level pitching.