2013 MLB All Star Futures Game: United States Roster Analysis

The 2013 MLB All Star Futures Game starts on Sunday at 2 PM Eastern at Citi Field in New York. Here is a look at the United States roster.

PITCHERS

Jesse Biddle, LHP, Phillies: Age 21, drafted in the first round in 2010 from high school in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Has a 3.33 ERA with a 107/49 K/BB in 97 innings for Double-A Reading, using his 90-93 MPH fastball, big-breaking curve, and decent changeup to good effect.

Archie Bradley, RHP, Diamondbacks: Age 20, drafted in the first round in 2011 from high school in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. Bradley has a 2.06 ERA with a 115/44 K/BB in 105 innings between High-A and Double-A this season, showing outstanding stuff with a mid-to-upper-90s fastball, a plus curve, and an improving changeup.

Eddie Butler, RHP, Rockies: Age 22, drafted in the supplemental first round in 2012 from Radford University. Features mid-90s power sinker and a good curve, posting a 2.36 ERA with a 106/42 K/BB in 107 innings between Low-A and High-A this season.

A.J. Cole, RHP, Nationals: Age 21, drafted in the fourth round in 2010 from high school in Oviedo, Florida. Low-to-mid-90s fastball and usually throws strikes, but an erratic change and curve have given him an inconsistent track record. Has a 4.43 ERA in High-a but with a 99/22 K/BB in 91 innings for Potomac.

Kyle Crick, RHP, Giants: Age 20, drafted in the supplemental first round in 2011 from high school in Sherman, Texas. Limited to 30 innings this year for High-A San Jose by an oblique injury, but has a 1.21 ERA with a 44/19 K/BB ratio. Can hit 98-99 MPH and has an impressive curveball, changeup combo although command can be erratic.

Jimmy Nelson, RHP, Brewers: Age 24, drafted in the second round in 2010 from the University of Alabama. Has a 3.02 ERA this year with a 101/38 K/BB in 101 innings between Double-A and Triple-A, working with a low-90s power sinker and a good slider. Solid inning-eater projection if changeup continues to improve.

Anthony Ranaudo, RHP, Red Sox: Age 23, drafted in the supplemental first round in 2010 from Louisiana State University. Has been plagued with injuries but is healthy and effective this year, regaining his mid-90s heat, powerful curve, and solid changeup. 2.67 ERA with 94/32 K/BB in 91 innings in Double-A.

C.J. Riefenhauser, LHP, Rays: Age 23, drafted in the 20th round in 2010 out of Chipola Junior College. Replacing Taylor Guerrieri on the roster, CJ has a 0.75 ERA with a 56/14 K/BB in 60 innings with 11 saves between Double-A and Triple-A, featuring an average fastball but good control of his breaking stuff.

Noah Syndergaard, RHP, Mets: Age 20, drafted in the supplemental first round in 2010 from high school in Mansfield, Texas, by the Blue Jays. Traded to New York in the RA Dickey deal, he's been outstanding with a 2.69 ERA and a 90/20 K/BB in 84 innings between High-A and Double-A. Mid-90s heat, throws strikes, and secondary pitches have really improved.

Taijuan Walker, RHP, Mariners: Age 20, drafted in supplemental first round in 2010 from high school in Yucaipa, California. Superb campaign this season with 2.16 ERA, 112/35 K/BB in 100 innings between Double-A and Triple-A, just 69 hits allowed. Throws hard, curveball and changeup have consistently improved, another potential ace starter.

CATCHERS

Austin Hedges, Padres: Age 20, drafted in second round in 2011 from high school in San Diego, California. Excellent defensive catcher, hitting has been better than anticipated, hitting .272/.353/.428 line this season in High-A California League. Still a top all-around catching prospect.

James McCann, Tigers: Age 23, drafted in the second round in 2011 from the University of Arkansas. Hitting .286/.331/.371 in Double-A for Erie. Like Hedges, McCann is very skilled as a defensive catcher but his chances as a regular in the majors hinge on his hitting.

INFIELDERS

Garin Cecchini, 3B, Red Sox: Age 22, just replaced the injured Joey Gallo on the roster, drafted in the fourth round in 2010 from high school in Lake Charles, Louisiana. Line drive hitter with superb plate discipline and moderate power, hitting .358/.475/.545 this year between High-A and Double-A. Combination of high walk rate with relatively few strikeouts stands out.

CJ Cron, 1B, Angels: Age 23, drafted in the first round in 2011 from the University of Utah, hitting .288/.332/.439 with eight homers in Double-A Texas League. Hit 27 homers in the Cal League last year but his power hasn't fully translated to higher level success yet, though he's maintained his batting average.

Delino DeShields, 2B, Astros: Age 20, hitting .290/.388/.401 with 30 steals in High-A California League. Drafted in the first round in 2010 from high school in College Park, Georgia, DeShields offers blazing speed, major league bloodlines, and a chance to be a superior leadoff man.

Matt Davidson, 3B, Diamondbacks: Age 22, hitting .294/.356/.506 with 14 homers for Triple-A Reno. Supplemental first round pick in 2009 from high school in Yucaipa, California, Davidson demonstrates serious power from the right side of the plate, but also whiffs a lot (99 times in 340 at-bats this year).

Chris Owings, SS, Diamondbacks: Age 21, Owings is hitting .350/.373/.501 with 11 homers and 15 steals as Davidson's teammate in Reno. He was a supplemental first round pick in 2009 from high school in Gilbert, South Carolina. Pure athleticism including speed and power stand out, but he is an impatient hitter and erratic fielder.

Addison Russell, SS, Athletics: Age 19, hitting .262/.339/.476 with nine homers and 12 steals in High-A, heating up after a slow start as the youngest player in the Cal League. First-round pick in 2012 from high school in Pace, Florida, and he has the tools to show for that background, projecting as an impact player on both sides of the ball.

Christian Walker, 1B, Orioles: Age 22, hitting .311/.372/.479 between Low-A and High-A this year with 11 homers and 22 doubles. The former University of South Carolina star was drafted in the fourth round in 2012 and has had no problems handling pro pitching so far.

Kolten Wong, 2B, Cardinals: Age 22, hitting .299/.358/.458 for Triple-A Memphis with 13 steals in 14 attempts along with impressive defense. Drafted in the first round in 2011 from the University of Hawaii, Wong is fundamentally sound and has good makeup to go with his line drive hitting skills.

OUTFIELDERS

Byron Buxton, Twins: Age 19, drafted in the first round by the Twins in 2012 from high school in Baxley, Georgia. Buxton's tools are first-class in all respects and his baseball skills have proven to be much more polished than expected, resulting in a .333/.417/.535 line with nine homers and 35 steals between Low-A and High-A. He has power, plate discipline, speed, and stellar defensive ability in center field. Buxton is the best overall prospect in baseball right now.

Billy Hamilton, Reds: Age 22, drafted in the second round in 2009 from high school in Taylorsville, Mississippi. He's done a good job converting from shortstop to center field this year and has stolen 51 bases in 62 attempts in Triple-A, but better pitching has exploited his lack of power, giving him a disappointing overall line of .245/.300/.334. Hamilton is still the fastest man on the field (only Buxton comes close) and the Reds will be patient with his bat.

Brandon Nimmo, Mets: Age 20, drafted by the Mets in the first round in 2011 from high school in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Solid across-the-board tools but his hitting has been disappointing thus far, with a .261/.366/.350 line in Low-A. He'll draw some walks but also strikes out a lot, with 82 Ks in 234 at-bats, too many whiffs for a guy with one homer.

Joc Pederson, Dodgers: Age 21, hitting .299/.388/.522 with 14 homers, 25 steals in Double-A. Drafted in the 11th round in 2010 from high school in Palo Alto, California, Pederson has exceeded expectations by providing power, speed, and on-base production at every level of play.

George Springer, Astros: Age 23, first round pick in 2011 from the University of Connecticut. Springer has a terrific power/speed game with 26 bombs and 28 thefts between Double-A and Triple-A this year, with an overall .315/.419/.627 line. He strikes out a lot (112 in 88 games) but will draw some walks as well. His athleticism also helps him in the outfield.

Christian Yelich, Marlins: Age 21, Yelich has struggled with injuries this year and is hitting .252/.333/.486 in 55 games between Double-A and two rehab assignments at lower levels. A first round pick in 2010 from high school in Thousand Oakes, California, he is a pure hitter who has done a better job tapping into his power the last two seasons, when healthy at least.

INJURED/PROMOTED
Joey Gallo, 1B, Rangers (strained groin); Taylor Guerrieri, RHP, Rays (fatigue); Taylor Jordan, RHP, Nationals (promoted to majors); Brad Miller, SS, Mariners (promoted to majors); Josh Phegley, C, White Sox (promoted to majors); Joey Terdoslavich, 1B, Braves (promoted to majors).