2016 MLB Futures Game: United States team preview

The 2016 MLB Futures Game will be played on Sunday, July 10^th, at 7 PM Eastern time. Here’s a look at the roster of the United States team. A review of the World roster is here.

UNITED STATES TEAM

PITCHERS

Anthony Banda, LHP, Arizona Diamondbacks: Age 22, 10th round pick in 2012 from San Jacinto College by the Brewers; traded to Arizona in Gerardo Parra deal; 2.66 ERA with 88/30 K/BB in 81 innings between Double-A and Triple-A; 90 MPH fastball with average curve and change; fourth starter or bullpen potential.

Phil Bickford, RHP, San Francisco Giants: Age 20, first round pick in 2015 from College of Southern Nevada; 2.54 ERA with 89/18 K/BB in 71 innings between Low-A and High-A with just 52 hits allowed; ratios reflect outstanding moving 92-95 fastball/wicked slider combination and he's done a good job throwing strikes as well.

J.T. Chargois, RHP, Minnesota Twins: Age 25; second round pick in 2012 from Rice University; 1.13 ERA with 40/10 K/BB in 32 innings in high minors this year; 12 saves in 12 attempts; can hit 100 MPH and has a solid breaking ball and change-up; lost two season to elbow problems but could be dominant reliever if he stays healthy.

Carson Fulmer, RHP, Chicago White Sox: Age 22, first round pick in 2015 out of Vanderbilt, posting 5.28 ERA in 75 innings in Double-A with 75/44 K/BB; erratic from start-to-start this year, unhittable at times but command wobbles enough that he gets blown up occasionally, mixing dominant starts with poor ones.

Amir Garrett, LHP, Cincinnati Reds: Age 24, 22nd round pick in 2011; former St. John's basketball player is thriving on the mound with 1.81 ERA in 90 innings in the high minors, 87/36 K/BB, just 56 hits; 90-95 MPH fastball and very good breaking ball from 6-5, 210 frame is intimidating.

Josh Hader, LHP, Milwaukee Brewers: Age 22, 19th round pick by the Orioles in 2012 out of Millersville, Maryland; was traded to the Astros and then to Milwaukee last summer; 1.87 ERA this year in the high minors with 99/30 K/BB in 77 innings, just 57 hits; unconventional mechanics result in relief projection by some analysts but personally I think he can start.

Jeff Hoffman, RHP, Colorado Rockies: Age 23, first round pick in 2014 from East Carolina by the Blue Jays; traded to Colorado last summer; 3.49 ERA with 88/29 K/BB in 88 innings this year in the difficult Pacific Coast League; mid-90s fastball and secondary pitches have come along very nicely; number two starter potential.

Joe Musgrove, RHP, Houston Astros: Age 23, originally drafted by Blue Jays in compensation round in 2011 from high school in El Cajon, California; 2.98 ERA this year in the high minors with 65/9 K/BB in 66 innings; stellar command of fastball up to 94-95 and very good slider and change-up make him very polished for his age.

Nate Smith, LHP, Los Angeles Angels: Age 24, eighth round pick in 2013 out of Furman; 3.92 ERA with 64/21 K/BB in 83 innings in Triple-A, 89 hits; best pitch is solid change-up, decent breaking ball, fastball in the upper-80s, typical finesse lefty type.

Ryne Stanek, RHP, Tampa Bay Rays: Age 24, drafted in the first round from the University of Arkansas in 2013; 3.91 ERA with 88/34 K/BB in 76 innings in Double-A; throws very hard (upper-90s) but career has been slowed by injuries and occasional command concerns.

CATCHERS

Carson Kelly, C, St. Louis Cardinals: Age 21, second round pick in 2012 from high school in Portland, Oregon; hitting .291/.338/.418 in Double-A; good step forward with bat this year after hitting just .219 in High-A; excellent defensive catcher with strong, accurate arm to go with mobility, reliability.

Chance Sisco, C, Baltimore Orioles: Age 21, second round pick in 2013 from high school in Corona, California; hitting .310/.401/.403 in Double-A; line drive hitter with excellent feel for the strike zone; defense not as good as Kelly's but a more consistent hitter to this stage in their careers.

INFIELDERS

Alex Bregman, SS, Houston Astros: Age 22, hitting .297/.415/.559 with 14 homers, 42 walks, only 26 strikeouts in 236 at-bats in Double-A; first round pick in 2015 out of LSU has adapted quickly with combination of bat speed, power, and exceptionally good plate discipline.

Willie Calhoun, 2B, Los Angeles Dodgers: Age 21, fourth round pick in 2015 from Yavapai Junior College; hitting .260/.326/.473 with 14 homers in Double-A; questions persist about defense and long-term position but plus power from the left side will find a place on the diamond somewhere.

Travis Demeritte, 2B Texas Rangers: Age 21, first round pick from Winder, Georgia in 2013; hitting .255/.340/.565 with 20 homers but 102 strikeouts in High-A; tremendous power but contact issues will have to be addressed at higher levels; high upside player with high risk.

Hunter Dozier, 3B, Kansas City Royals: Age 24, first round pick in 2013 from Stephen F. Austin State University in Texas; hitting .296/.361/.536 with 15 homers in the high minors; tremendous season after big struggles in 2015 threatened his career.

Ryon Healy, 1B-3B, Oakland Athletics: Age 24; third round pick in 2014 from University of Oregon; hitting .339/.398/.585 with 13 homers in breakout season dominating the high minors; tapping his power potential more often without sacrificing contact and strike zone judgment.

Dominic Smith, 1B, New York Mets: Age 21, hitting .264/.322/.402 in Double-A; first round pick in 2013 from high school in Gardena, California; makes contact and should hit for average but current power remains marginal for a first baseman.

Dansby Swanson, SS, Atlanta Braves: Age 22, first round pick from Vanderbilt in 2015 by the Diamondbacks; traded to Braves; hitting .276/.366/.436 between High-A and Double-A; gap power with good contact ability and smoothly impressive defense at shortstop.

OUTFIELDERS

Andrew Benintendi, OF, Boston Red Sox: Age 21, first round pick from University of Arkansas in 2015, hitting .307/.370/.502 between High-A and Double-A; 14 steals, 25 doubles; also excellent defensive ability in the outfield; broad range of tools and skills.

Dylan Cozens, OF, Philadelphia Phillies: Age 22, second round pick in 2012 from high school in Scottsdale, Arizona; hitting .276/.360/.562 on the year with 21 homers; 14 steals, 101 strikeouts; 6-6, 235 pounds with the power to match and surprising speed but obvious contact questions.

Clint Frazier, OF, Cleveland Indians: Age 21, first round pick in 2013 from Loganville, Georgia; hitting .285/.370/.472; tremendous bat speed and has steadily improved his approach at the plate, cutting strikeouts each year while getting to his power; can swipe a base too.

Austin Meadows, OF, Pittsburgh Pirates: Age 21, first round pick in 2013 from Loganville, Georgia; hitting .293/.345/.582 in the high minors this year; often paired with Frazier since they came from the same area; Meadows looks smoother but didn't show the same type of power until this year.

Hunter Renfroe, OF, San Diego Padres: Age 24, first round pick in 2013 from Mississippi State, hitting .325/.345/.597 with 18 homers in Triple-A; another player with huge power, contact issues have improved over the last two years; good throwing arm, too.

Christin Stewart, OF, Detroit Tigers: Age 22, first round pick in 2015 from University of Tennessee, hitting .245/.393/.517 with 18 homers in power-difficult Florida State League; another slugger with left side power to watch closely.