2015 MLB All Star Futures Game: US Team hitters

2015 MLB Futures Game: United States Team position players

Here’s a brief look at the position players of the 2015 MLB Futures Game United States Team.

CATCHERS:
Kyle Farmer, C, Dodgers: Age 24, eighth round pick in 2013 from the University of Georgia, right-handed hitter batting .312/.362/.454 this year between High-A Rancho Cucamonga and Double-A Tulsa. Has caught 40% of runners this year, quite interesting since he was primarily an infielder in college. Solid line drive bat and a good glove.

Kyle Schwarber, C, Cubs: Age 22, first round pick in 2014 from Indiana University, outstanding left-side bat has produced .329/.427/.607 line this year between Double-A Tennessee and Triple-A Iowa, also went 8-for-22 with a homer in big league trial. Glove is still rough/raw but bat is genuinely terrific.

INFIELDERS:
Josh Bell, 1B, Pirates: Age 22, switch-hitter drafted in second round in 2011 from high school in Dallas, Texas, hitting .327/.397/.445 in 70 games for Double-A Altoona. Excellent strike zone judgment with above-average power potential although he’s hit just three homers this year. Has been very hot lately, hitting .371 in last 10 games.

J.P. Crawford, SS, Phillies: Age 20, left-handed hitter drafted in the first round in 2013 from high school in Lakewood, California, hitting .323/.429/.433 this year between 21 games for High-A Clearwater and 29 games for Double-A Reading. Skilled defender with impressive strike zone judgment and gap power, will stick at shortstop and has been very effective with the bat thus far.

Tony Kemp, 2B, Astros: Age 23, fifth round pick in 2013 out of Vanderbilt, hitting .341/.426/.403 this spring with 21 steals, 40 walks in 70 games between Double-A Corpus Christi and Triple-A Fresno. Just 5-6 but has thrived in pro ball with lefty bat, strike zone judgment, and defensive versatility. May be trade bait for Houston but a valuable asset.

Matt Olson, 1B, Athletics: Age 21, left-handed hitter, compensation round pick in 2012 from high school in Lilburn, Georgia, hitting .221/.373/.378 this spring for Double-A Midland with 65 walks, eight homers. Power/patience hitter whose offensive potential belies low batting average, a true outcome hitter.

Richie Shaffer, 3B, Rays: Age 24, first round pick in 2012 out of Clemson, right-handed hitter batting .276/.373/.549 with 17 homers this spring between Double-A Montgomery and Triple-A Durham. Took time to adapt to pro ball but has made real progress tapping his power, very solid defender at third base.

Trey Turner, SS, Nationals: Turned 22 today, right-handed hitter drafted in first round last year by Padres out of North Carolina State University, traded to Nationals in Wil Myers deal but couldn’t be made official until this month. Hitting .311/.365/.454 this spring with 15 steals between Double-A San Antonio, Double-A Harrisburg, and Triple-A Syracuse. Fast, gap power, and has played well with glove.

Trevor Story, 2B, Rockies: Age 22, compensation round pick in 2011 from high school in Irving, Texas, right-handed hitter with power, speed, and erratic track record due to contact issues. Hitting .281/.373/.523 this spring for Double-A New Britain with 10 homers, 15 steals, but 73 strikeouts in 69 games.

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OUTFIELDERS:
Michael Conforto, OF, Mets: Age 22, left-handed hitter, drafted in first round in 2014 out of Oregon State, no trouble with pro pitching thus far hitting .309/.384/.468 between High-A St. Lucie and Double-A Binghamton. Power, strike zone judgment combination is potent.

Aaron Judge, OF, Yankees: Age 23, right-handed hitter drafted in first round in 2013 from Fresno State, huge 6-7 wingspan generates power with .273/.342/.498 mark, 13 homers in 70 games between Double-A Trenton and Triple-A Scranton. Strikes out a lot but production should be worth it.

Brandon Nimmo, OF, Mets: Age 22, first round pick in 2011 from high school in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Left-handed hitter batting .298/.363/.409 in 45 games for Double-A Binghamton, has missed part of season with knee injury. Very good strike zone judgment and can hit for average but power hasn’t blossomed yet.

Kyle Waldrop, OF, Reds: Age 23, 12^th round pick in 2010 from high school in Fort Myers, Florida, lefty hitter with broad tools hitting .279/.315/.422 in 71 games between Double-A Pensacola and Triple-A Louisville, can do a lot of things well but still refining batting eye.

Nick Williams, OF, Rangers: Age 21, left-handed hitter drafted in second round from high school in Galveston, Texas, in 2012. Hitting .282/.344/.439 with eight homers for Double-A Frisco, shows across-the-board tools and has made good progress refining them, can be streaky but very dangerous when hot.

Bradley Zimmer, OF, Indians: Age 22, first round pick in 2014 from University of San Francisco, thriving this year by hitting .304/.403/.500 with 10 homers, 29 steals in 68 games for High-A Lynchburg. Outstanding power/speed combination, left-side bat, should move up to Double-A at any time.