MLB Futures Game 2012 Rosters Breakdown | The World Hitters

We’re coming up on mid season across the board and that means that the All Star break is right around the corner. While we love the Mid-Summer Popularity Contest it’s the Futures Game that takes place during All-Star weekend that makes us stop everything we’re doing and watch every pitch. The Game has seen the likes of Jose Reyes, Robinson Cano, Josh Beckett, Starlin Castro, Prince Fielder, Yovani Gallardo, Matt Garza, Gio Gonzalez, Adrian Gonzalez, Zack Greinke, Evan Longoria and the list goes on for days.

Most recently we’ve witnessed Jeremy Hellickson, Brett Lawrie and Jose Altuve take a bow on the national stage before taking MLB by storm. This years class is no less talented than in the past and may have some of the biggest names ever to grace the Futures Game when all is said and done. So we’re going to got through each of the rosters. Here we have the World Roster Hitters.

US – Pitchers; Hitters / World – Pitchers; Hitters

World Team Roster

CATCHERS

Christian Bethancourt, c
Team: Double-A Mississippi (Southern)
Organization: Braves

Our Instinct – He’s really young for Double-A and should probably still be in A ball. But he’s holding his own defensively and the .259 AVG isn’t terible. But the IsoP has dried up and he just isn’t a mature enough hitter at this point with a 3.5% walk rate. The 16.5% K rate and past power performance say the best is yet to come. He would be a fantasy buy low candidate.

Yasmani Grandal, c
Team: Triple-A Tucson (Pacific Coast)
Organization: Padres

Our Instinct – A key piece in the Latos deal, Grandal has held up his end of the bargain. He’s hitting .321 with 17 doubles and 6 HR with a 36/36 k to bb. He’s been fantastic with the bat and is looking every bit the part of the Padres future catcher.

INFIELDERS

Jesus Aguilar, 1b
Team: high Class A Carolina (Carolina)
Organization: Indians

Our Instinct – I’ll start by saying that he’s old for the level. But you can’t ignore the .310 AVG with .205 IsoP and a 10%+ walk rate. But his BABIP is sky high at .378 and his K rate is 20%+. So while the numbers deserve praise, the odds of him continuing this breakout are slim. Double-A will be the test.

Xander Bogaerts, ss
Team: high Class A Salem (Carolina)
Organization: Red Sox

Our Instinct – Moving from low-A to High-A and Bogaerts has improved his walk rate and K rate and continues to hit for AVG and power despite being just 19. He’s still playing SS but could eventually move off to 3B or 2B. Bat will play at either position.

Wilmer Flores, 3b
Team: high Class A St. Lucie (Florida State)
Organization: Mets

Our Instinct – Most forget how young Flores had been during his long stint in the FSL. As we said preseason – A low BABIP of .296 in 2011 – Theres still plenty of time and he may very well bounce back in AA. – Well, Flores matured into a hitter with the power that was projected. But, his walk rate improved to 6.6% and needs more. But his K% is very low and his .289 AVG was very unlucky. His bump to Double-A should see him continue hitting and some more pop.

Francisco Lindor, ss
Team: low Class A Lake County (Midwest)
Organization: Indians

Our Instinct – Lindor has the type of glove that can get him to the show. A legit SS, but the bat is still a question. He’s very young and the .274 AVG is more than holding his own. Especially considering the near 10% walk rate. How much power he develops will determine if he’s an average hitter or something much more.

Chih-Fang Pan, 2b
Team: low Class A Burlington (Midwest)
Organization: Athletics

Our Instinct – Pan is a tall 2b but doesn’t have much in the way of elite tools with the bat. His power and speed are both below average and he’s a touch old for the level. We don’t expect big things and the upside might be a utility INF.

Jurickson Profar, ss
Team: Double-A Frisco (Texas)
Organization: Rangers

Our Instinct – Our thoughts on Profar are readily available. He might be the best prospect in all of baseball. Very young for the AA level and hitting like a vet plus he’s a well above average defender bordering near plus. Given time to mature he has All Star caliber upside.

Carlos Sanchez, 3b
Team: high Class A Winston-Salem (Carolina)
Organization: White Sox

Our Instinct – Sanchez has been mostly a MI in his career but a transition to 3b is in the works. I don’t see him having 3b type power but his plate discipline seems good for his age. If he fills out and adds some power he could be a 15/15 type. But that’s more projection than reality at this point.

Jean Segura, ss/2b
Team: Double-A Arkansas (Texas)
Organization: Angels

Our Instinct – Segura has had injuries slow his development over the past 2 years. But he has a speed power combo from a MI role. His speed is elite and his bat showed the ability to be plus but this year he has struggled some. His walk rate has dropped the power is down some. But he still projects as a 10-15 HR type that can steal 30+ bases. Sticking at SS though may be tough.

OUTFIELDERS

Oswaldo Arcia, of
Team: Double-A New Britain (Eastern)
Organization: Twins

Our Instinct - Arcia did well in the FSL as we expected. He still struggles against lefties but has major power waiting in the bat and it might finally emerge in AA. He’s not the most highly touted prospect in the system but should be right there in the conversation with Sano and Rosario.

Jae-Hoon Ha, of
Team: Double-A Tennessee (Southern)
Organization: Cubs

Our Instinct - Ha is another FSL graduate and he has average all around tools but nothing that says he a future star in the making. How much power he develops and if he can keep his speed as he matures will decide if he’s a solid average regular or 5th OF type.

Rymer Liriano, of
Team: high Class A Lake Elsinore (California)
Organization: Padres

Our Instinct – Liriano is a major tools prospect with power, speed and arm. But he’s still raw in his approach at the plate. His K rate at 22% isn’t terrible though and his .298 AVG says he’s making enough contact. But a high babip is inflating the AVG some. His 22 SB show that speed. He still needs time to mature and develop his approach. But he’s an exciting prospect to keep a close eye on.

Alfredo Marte, of
Team: Double-A Mobile (Southern)
Organization: Diamondbacks

Our Instinct - age appropriate for AA and he’s been hitting for elite power to the tune of 34 XBH including 14 HR. He’s also hitting near .300 and keeping the K rate down. He could stand to take some more walks and work pitchers deeper. But overall an excellent first half.

Oscar Taveras, of
Team: Double-A Springfield (Texas)
Organization: Cardinals

Our Instinct – Taveras is playing way above his head in AA and the fact is that he’s well above the competition. His bat is elite and now the power is showing. His hitting mechanics are unorthodox though. So there are some questions that remain in the mainstream about his ability at the highest level. I think he’s done what we expected him to do in high-a except he’s doing it in AA. That’s impressive for his age.

The World Roster hitters has some serious talent. Overall the US team has a deeper roster bunt the game should be tight. It will probably fall to the US pitchers to determine the outcome. If they are on point the World roster may have issues. If not, the World roster could put up more than enough runs to win, especially with the likes of Profar and Taveras.

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