MLB News: July 10th

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2024 MLB Futures Game Rosters Announced: Exciting New Rules for Home Run Derby Revealed

The preliminary rosters for the upcoming All-Star Futures Game have been announced by Major League Baseball, showcasing a remarkable lineup of talent.

Standout names include Boston Red Sox shortstop Marcelo Mayer, San Diego Padres catcher Ethan Salas, Washington Nationals outfielder Dylan Crews, and Detroit Tigers outfielder Max Clark.

These players are top-10 prospects according to MLB’s prospects ranking. However, Washington Nationals outfielder James Wood, another marquee name, will not participate as he was recently called up to the big leagues.

The game will feature several other promising prospects, including Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Justin Crawford and shortstop Aidan Miller, Baltimore Orioles catcher Samuel Basallo, Minnesota Twins shortstop Brooks Lee, and Red Sox catcher Kyle Teel. 

Hitting Challenges and Young Talent

This year’s Futures Game will introduce three rounds of hitting challenges for the first time. Notable National League participants include Pittsburgh Pirates infielder Termarr Johnson, Cincinnati Reds infielder Cam Collier, Nationals third baseman Brady House, and Chicago Cubs catcher Moises Ballesteros. 

Representing the American League are Brooks Lee, Red Sox outfielder Roman Anthony, Tampa Bay Rays first baseman Tre’ Morgan, and Rangers shortstop Sebastian Walcott. Although Anthony, Morgan, House, and Ballesteros are currently listed as inactive, they could be added to the active rosters if promotions or injuries create room ahead of the July 13th contest.

Sebastian Walcott is the only representative from the host Rangers on the AL roster. The young shortstop, who turned 18 in March, is batting .235/.336/.395 in 68 games for High-A Hickory. Ethan Salas, the youngest player on either roster, turned 18 on June 1 and is currently batting .191/.299/.267 in 64 games for High-A Fort Wayne.

Top Prospects to Watch

Marcelo Mayer, the highest-ranked prospect on the rosters, is batting .307 with an .850 OPS in 68 games for Double-A Portland in his age-21 season. Max Clark, the No. 3 pick in last year’s draft, boasts a .753 OPS with 23 stolen bases and a .373 OBP in 64 games in his age-19 season. 

Clark is one of ten 2023 draft picks participating in the game during their first full professional seasons. Other notable first-year participants include Dylan Crews, Kyle Teel, Colorado Rockies right-hander Chase Dollander, Reds right-hander Rhett Lowder, Miami Marlins right-hander Noble Meyer, San Francisco Giants first baseman Bryce Eldridge, Milwaukee Brewers infielder Cooper Pratt, Cubs infielder Matt Shaw, and Cleveland Guardians first baseman Ralphy Velazquez.

MLB Draft and Home Run Derby

The three-day 2024 MLB Draft will commence the day after the Futures Game, on Sunday, July 14. This year’s Home Run Derby will also see changes aimed at slowing the event’s pace for hitters. 

MLB announced a new format that limits hitters to a maximum of 40 pitches in the first and second rounds, each lasting three minutes. This change addresses past concerns about batter exhaustion and injury risk.

In the new format, all eight participants will compete against each other in the first round, with the top four advancing. In case of a tie, the player with the longest home run wins. The semifinals will transition to bracket play, with the top two batters advancing to the final round. The final round will last two minutes and feature 27 pitches.

The 2024 Home Run Derby will take place on July 15 at the Texas Rangers’ Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. 

Baltimore Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson has committed to the derby, becoming the first player to announce his participation. The Toronto Blue Jays’ Vladimir Guerrero Jr. won the 2023 derby, hitting 25 homers in the final round to beat the Tampa Bay Rays’ Randy Arozarena, who had 23.