2012 MLB Futures Game Flashback: All-Stars abound in Kansas City

This Sunday, many fans will be watching the Futures Game in Miami (4 p.m ET, MLB Network). For some, it will be a chance to see some of the top prospects for the first time. When those prospects do make the big leagues, they can remember their time watching them in this game.

Today, we are going to take a look back at the rosters for both Team World and Team USA from five years ago when the game was in Kansas City. That day, the USA won 17-5 in one of the more lopsided Futures Games in the history of the event. However, both sides had their fair share of All-Star talent.

Before we get into some of the All-Stars, there is a sad fact about this game that has to be discussed. In total, we lost three players from this game within the last two years in Cardinals outfielder Oscar Taveras, Royals pitcher Yordano Ventura, and Marlins pitcher Jose Fernandez. Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with their families.

As for the game itself, it had a combined 15 MLB All-Star appearances between the two teams and four players with multiple All-Star appearances. Two of them were on Team World (Fernandez and Francisco Lindor) and two were in the USA infield (Nolan Arenado and Manny Machado).

In the case of Lindor and Machado, they were both backups. Rangers prospect Jurickson Profar ended up getting the start for Team World. He went 2-for-3 in the number two spot behind then Angels second base prospect Jean Segura (2-for-3). For Machado, the start went to Reds shortstop Billy Hamilton (2-for-3).

The two starters in this game were Ventura and Royals starter Jake Odorizzi. Odorizzi gave up a home run to Profar in his only inning of work. Gerrit Cole would follow by giving up a two-run home run in the following inning.

Down 4-0 in the bottom of the third, the USA offense woke up in a big way. The stars of the game were Tigers third baseman Nick Castellanos (3-for-4, three-run home run) and outfielder Wil Myers (2-for-4, three RBI’s). Myers was with the Royals at the time.

As for Futures Game performances that players might want to forget, eight of the runs that were scored in this game came against one reliever, Ariel Pena. Pena was with the Angels at the time and was part of the trade that sent Zack Greinke to Los Angeles. He made his major league debut with Milwaukee in 2015.

While it’s the All-Stars that will get remembered, a lot of these players also helped out their respective clubs in trades that were made.

For example, the Washington Nationals traded Alex Meyer to the Twins that November for Denard Span. Also, the Los Angeles Dodgers sent Chris Reed to Miami for left-handed reliever Grant Dayton in 2015. Finally, last season, Segura was traded to Seattle for Taijuan Walker (both played in the 2012 Futures Game).

Overall, there were a total of 49 players that eventually made their MLB debuts after the 2012 Futures Game. So, while you are watching the game this Sunday, you could be seeing the next great superstar or someone that will eventually make an impact on your favorite team down the road.