2013 MLB All Star Futures Game: World Roster Analysis

Here is a look at the current World Roster for the 2013 MLB Sirius XM All Star Futures Game, scheduled for 2 pm Eastern time on Sunday at Citi Field in New York.


PITCHERS:
Miguel Almonte, RHP, Royals: Hard-throwing 20 year-old right-hander from the Dominican Republic, can hit mid-90s and has a curveball and changeup. 3.59 ERA with an 87/29 K/BB in 88 innings for Low-A Lexington.

Carlos Contreras, RHP, Reds: Age 22, from the Dominican Republic, another hard-thrower converting to starting this season after spending most of his career in bullpen. 3.80 ERA with a 96/41 K/BB in 90 innings for High-A Bakersfield.

Rafael De Paula, RHP, Yankees: Age 22, also from the Dominican Republic, has a 3.65 ERA with a 108/28 K/BB in just 79 innings between Low-A Charleston and High-A Tampa this year. Another guy with mid-90s heat and a good curveball, he signed with the Yankees just last year after considerable controversy regarding his real birthday.

C.C. Lee, RHP, Indians: Age 26, Chen-Chang Lee is from Taiwan and has been pitching in the Indians system since 2009. He's always had good results including this year with a 25/8 K/BB in 16 innings at three levels but has had a hard time staying healthy.

Rafael Montero, RHP, Mets: Age 22, another product of the Dominican Republic, with a 3.13 ERA and a combined 99/20 K/BB in 98 innings between Double-A and Triple-A this year. Has an effective slider and changeup along with a 90-95 MPH fastball.

Andre Rienzo, RHP, White Sox: Age 24, from Brazil, has a 4.47 ERA with a 96/36 K/BB in 101 innings for Triple-A Charlotte. Low-90s fastball with an effective curveball and cutter as well.

Eduardo Rodriguez, LHP, Orioles: Rapid-rising lefty from Venezuela, age 20, has a 3.08 ERA with a 78/30 K/BB in 96 innings between High-A and Double-A. Fastball, slider, and changeup are all quality pitches and he's shown he can throw strikes at a young age.

Enny Romero, LHP, Rays: Age 22, from the Dominican Republic, has a 3.02 ERA with a 73/45 K/BB in 95 innings in Double-A. He struggles with his command at times, but his mid-90s fastball and hard curve keep the Rays patient.

Yordano Ventura, RHP, Royals: Age 22, from the Dominican Republic, with a 3.31 ERA and a 110/37 K/BB in 92 innings between Double-A and Triple-A in 2013. A Futures Game repeater, he's been clocked as high as 100 and continues to refine his curveball and changeup.

Michael Ynoa, RHP, Athletics: Age 21, from the Dominican, earned a $4.2 million bonus five years ago but looked like a possible bust after years of injuries. He's gotten crushed in his first two High-A starts (13 runs in 7.2 innings) but was pitching well in Low-A (2.14 ERA, 48/18 K/BB in 55 innings) before being promoted. The good news is that he's healthy again and showing the excellent arm strength that made him a prospect in the first place.

CATCHERS:

Christian Bethancourt, Braves: Age 21, from Panama, outstanding defensive catcher who will get to the majors on his glove alone. His hitting record is weak with poor plate discipline holding him back, but he still has time to improve. Hitting .262/.293/.398 in Double-A this year.

A.J. Jimenez, Blue Jays: Age 23, from Puerto Rico, ninth round pick in 2008, hitting .376/.403/.512 in 33 games between High-A and Double-A this season. Appears at full-strength defensively after recovering from Tommy John surgery.

INFIELDERS:

Arismendy Alcantara, SS-2B, Cubs: Age 21, from the Dominican Republic, hitting .275/.349/.477 with 13 homers and 21 steals in Double-A. Very promising switch-hitter who deserves a lot more attention than he receives.

Xander Bogaerts, SS, Red Sox: Age 20, from Aruba, another Futures Game repeater, hitting .297/.393/.487 with 12 homers on the season between Double-A and Triple-A, with blossoming power and solid plate discipline. One of the very top prospects in baseball.

Ji-Man Choi, 1B, Mariners: Age 21, signed out of Korea in 2009, put up big numbers in the California League (.337/.427/.619 in 48 games) but hasn't been as good in Double-A (.222/.324/.456) though still showing power. Has combined for 28 doubles and 12 homers this year.

Carlos Correa, SS, Astros: Age 18 ( think about that), the first player picked in the 2012 draft, from Puerto Rico. Hitting .323/.420/.459 in the Midwest League, and he's solid defensively as well. Byron Buxton is deservedly getting a ton of attention, but Correa is an outstanding prospect in his own right and is almost a year younger.

Maikel Franco, 3B, Phillies: Age 20, from the Dominican Republic, hitting .321/.360/.598 this year between High-A and Double-A, breaking out power-wise with 21 homers combined, also a very skilled defender at third base. His swing has been critiqued but it is hard to argue with the results thus far.

Dilson Herrera, 2B, Pirates: Age 19, from Colombia, hitting .260/.322/.409 with nine steals for Low-A West Virginia. Features impressive range at second base and is young enough to grow substantially with the bat.

Jordan Lennerton, 1B, Tigers: Age 27, minor league vet, from British Columbia in Canada, drafted in the 33rd round in 2008 out of Oregon State. Excellent plate discipline with some power and having a good year in Triple-A, hitting .299/.402/.459 for Toledo.

Francisco Lindor, SS, Indians: Age 19, from Puerto Rico, drafted in the first round in 2011. Hitting .307/.375/.412 in High-A, with 20 steals, also a very skilled defensive player, has excellent makeup; a superior prospect all around. I think he will show more pop as he matures.

Miguel Sano, 3B, Twins: Age 20, from the Dominican Republic, has enormous power, hit .330/.424/.655 in High-A. Has hit just .195 in 26 games since moving up to Double-A, but with six homers; has hit 22 on the season. He's made some progress on defense where his strong arm stands out.

OUTFIELDERS:

Yeison Asencio, Padres: Age 23, from the Dominican Republic, hitting .297/.317/.431 with six homers in 87 games between High-A and Double-A. Good tools, makes contact, but impatient and hasn't fully tapped his power yet.

Reymond Fuentes, Padres: Age 22, born in Florida but drafted out of Puerto Rico in the first round by the Red Sox in 2009. Disappointing offensively until this year; he's hitting .332/.412/.467 with 23 steals in Double-A; very strong outfield defense.

Jesus Galindo, Giants: Age 22, from Venezuela, hitting .268/.342/.325 with 40 steals in 75 games in Low-A. Lacks power and not particularly patient, but very fast.

Gregory Polanco, Pirates: Age 21, from the Dominican Republic, hitting .307/.367/.459 with 28 steals between High-A and Double-A. Highly-promising bat, good fielder, runs well, across the board tools with steadily developing skills to make those tools work.

Henry Urrutia, Orioles: Age 26, defected from Cuba last year, destroying North American minor league pitching so far with a .363/.426/.531 line between Double-A and Triple-A. Older than a typical prospect but that's hardly his fault, a solid line drive hitter at least.

INJURED:

Jorge Alfaro, C, Rangers, Colombia: (broken hand); Jorge Soler, OF, Cubs, Cuba: (shin fracture); Oscar Taveras, OF, Cardinals, Dominican Republic (ankle injury)