American League secures victory in Futures Game
The MLB Futures Game, a showcase for top minor league prospects, took place on Sunday at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia. The American League emerged victorious with a 6-1 win over the National League in the seven-inning contest.
Among the standout performers for the American League was Nathan Flewelling, a catcher for the Tampa Bay Rays. Flewelling, who entered the game in the fourth inning as a defensive replacement, hit a two-run home run in his only at-bat in the sixth inning. This performance earned him the Larry Doby Award as the Futures Game MVP.
Flewelling, a native of Red Deer, Alberta, was a third-round draft pick for the Rays. He has shown strong offensive production in his professional career, including a .393 OBP last year in Low-A and a .261/.394/.496 slash line with 16 home runs across 73 games in High-A Bowling Green this season. He is considered a promising prospect for the Rays, who have sought to develop a consistent catcher.
Another notable player for the American League was Seth Hernandez, a right-handed pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates. The 20-year-old pitcher recorded the second-fastest pitch of the afternoon at 101 mph. Hernandez impressed with his changeup, which he used to strike out Royals catching prospect Blake Mitchell.
Leo De Vries, a shortstop for the Athletics, also made an impact. De Vries, who was part of a trade with the Padres, led off the game with a single. He then stole second and third base before scoring the American League’s first run on a groundout. The 19-year-old Dominican shortstop is recognized for his aggressive play and strong personality.
National League prospects highlight event
The National League roster featured several promising talents, including two top prospects from the Milwaukee Brewers: infielders Jesús Made and Luis Peña.
Jesús Made, widely regarded as a top prospect in baseball, started at shortstop and batted third for the National League. This marked his second consecutive appearance in the Futures Game. In last year’s 4-2 victory, Made went 1-for-3 with a walk and a run scored. This season, he has a .276/.347/.442 slash line with nine home runs in 308 at-bats for Double-A Biloxi.
Luis Peña, ranked as the No. 18 prospect by Pipeline, joined Made in the National League’s starting lineup. Peña, a 19-year-old, started at third base and batted eighth in his Futures Game debut. Despite missing time due to health issues this season, Peña has been productive, posting a .304/.393/.392 slash line through 102 at-bats with High-A Wisconsin.
Other American League players who stood out included Eli Willits, a shortstop for the Washington Nationals. Willits, last year’s No. 1 pick, had a pop-out, a full-count walk, and a routine defensive play at second base. Despite not having a statistically dominant performance, his personality and composed demeanor were noted.
Kendry Chourio, a right-handed pitcher for the Kansas City Royals, also showcased his talent. Signed out of Venezuela in January 2025, Chourio was brought stateside in his signing year, a rare decision for an international signee. He has accumulated 63 strikeouts to just five walks across 51 ⅓ innings. During the game, Chourio, who turns 19 in October, delivered a 98.2-mph fastball to strike out Rockies prospect Charlie Condon. He was the youngest pitcher and third-youngest player overall in this year’s Futures Game.
The game provided an early look at potential future stars, with players like Mitchell, a catcher for the Kansas City Royals and the eighth overall pick in 2023, also participating. The 2026 All-Star Futures Game was broadcast on NBC and Peacock, with the first pitch set for 11:00 a.m. CT.
Source: sports.yahoo.com