2011 MLB All Star Futures Game Roster Review: World Team Pitchers

2011 MLB All-Star Futures Game Roster Review: World Team Pitching Staff

Here is a look at the pitching staff for the 2011 MLB All Star Futures game World Team.

Henderson Alvarez, RHP, Toronto Blue Jays: Signed out of Venezuela in 2006. Alvarez is 4-4, 3.38 ERA with a 37/13 K/BB in 53 innings for Double-A New Hampshire, with 47 hits allowed and a 1.65 GO/AO ratio. He works in the low-to-mid-90s, occasionally higher, and has a terrific changeup. An erratic breaking ball limits his strikeout rate, but he gets grounders. Age 21. Major League ETA: 2012.

Liam Hendriks, RHP, Minnesota Twins: Signed out of Australia in 2007. Is 8-2, 2.70 in 90 innings for Double-A New Britain, with an 81/18 K/BB, 85 hits allowed, and a 1.09 GO/AO ratio. Low-90s fastball with a diverse arsenal backing it up, including a slider, curveball, and changeup. Excellent command. Age 22. Major League ETA: 2012.

Kelvin Herrera, RHP, Kansas City Royals: Signed out of the Dominican Republic in 2006. 1.14 ERA with an outstanding 45/5 K/BB ratio in 39 innings between High-A Wilmington and Double-A Northwest Arkansas, with 25 hits and a 1.63 GO/AO. Converted starter, thriving in relief role, mid-90s heat with a strong changeup and workable slider. Age 22. Major League ETA: 2012.

Gregori Infante, RHP, Chicago White Sox: Signed out of Venezuela in 2006. 1.88 ERA with 35/15 K/BB in 38 innings between Double-A Birmingham and Triple-A Charlotte, 33 hits allowed, 1.23 GO/AO. Appeared in the majors briefly last year and will get another chance soon due to 95-100 MPH fastball and an erratic, if often wicked, curveball. Age 23, turns 24 next week. Major League ETA: 2011.

Jhan Marinez, RHP, Florida Marlins: Signed out of the Dominican Republic in 2006. 3.90 ERA, 41/27 K/BB in 32 innings for Double-A Jacksonville, 27 hits allowed, 1.26 GO/AO. Another hard-thrower with mid-90s velocity. Inconsistent slider and spotty command hold him back at times, but high ceiling arm. Age 22. Major League ETA: late 2012.

Carlos Martinez, RHP, St. Louis Cardinals: Signed out of the Dominican Republic in 2010. 2.42 ERA with 57/18 K/BB in 45 innings between Low-A Quad Cities and High-A Palm Beach, 31 hits allowed, 1.86 GO/AO. Dominated the Midwest League with upper-90s fastball and highly-promising curveball and changeup, earning a recent promotion to the Florida State League. Number One starter ceiling and an elite prospect. Age 19. Major League ETA: 2013.

James Paxton, LHP, Seattle Mariners: Drafted in the fourth round in 2010 out of independent baseball, had previously pitched at University of Kentucky and drafted in supplemental first round by Blue Jays in '09 but didn't sign. From Canada. 2.82 ERA with 81/33 K/BB in 61 innings between Low-A Clinton and Double-A Jackson, was just promoted to higher levels. 51 hits, 1.63 GO/AO. Big lefty with low-to-mid-90s fastball and nasty curve, needs command polish. Age 22. Major League ETA: late 2012-2013.

Martin Perez, LHP, Texas Rangers: Signed out of Venezuela in 2007. 3.19 ERA, 82/36 K/BB in 87 innings for Double-A Frisco, 79 hits allowed, 1.37 GO/AO. Clean delivery with low-to-mid-90s fastball, impressive changeup and curveball combination. Command is erratic but upside very high at age 20. Major League ETA: late 2012-2013.

Julio Teheran, RHP, Atlanta Braves: Signed out of Colombia in 2007. 9-1, 1.79 in 91 innings for Triple-A Gwinnett, 74/22 K/BB, 67 hits allowed, 0.86 GO/AO. Complete arsenal with strong mid-90s fastball, changeup, curveball and unusually good command for his age. Made two spot starts in Atlanta this spring and has nothing left to prove in Triple-A. Number One starter potential. Age 20. Major League ETA: 2011.

Arodys Vizcaino, RHP, Atlanta Braves: Signed by the Yankees out of the Dominican Republic in 2007, trade to Braves in Javier Vazquez deal in December '09.  3.09 ERA with 76/22 K/BB in 79 innings between High-A Lynchburg and Double-A Mississippi, 64 hits, 0.79 GO/AO. Outstanding breaking ball, also has mid-90s fastball and solid changeup. Age 20. Major League ETA: 2012.

ORIGINS: Australia, Canada, Colombia, Dominican Republic (4), Venezuela (3)