2023 National League Futures Game Roster, Player-By-Player Analysis
Image credit: Jackson Chourio, Pete Crow Armstrong (Photo By Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Major League Baseball announced the 2023 Futures Game rosters on Monday. Below you can find the complete National League roster with player-by-player analysis.
The National League roster will be managed by 19-year big league outfielder Raul Ibanez. Felix Hernandez, who won the 2010 AL Cy Young Award with the Mariners, will be the team’s pitching coach and Jeremy Reed, who spent eight years in the major leagues, will be the hitting coach.
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PITCHERS
Mick Abel, Phillies
Kyle Harrison, Giants
Tink Hence, Cardinals
J.P. Massey, Pirates
Jacob Misiorowski, Brewers
Pat Monteverde, Marlins
Spencer Schwellenbach, Braves
Mike Vasil, Mets
Carson Whisenhunt, Giants
CATCHERS
Jeferson Quero, Brewers
Dalton Rushing, Dodgers
INFIELDERS
Ryan Bliss, D-backs
Brady House, Nationals
Jordan Lawlar, D-backs
Noelvi Marte, Reds
Jackson Merrill, Padres
BJ Murray Jr., Cubs
Nasim Nunez, Marlins
Endy Rodriguez, Pirates
OUTFIELDERS
Jackson Chourio, Brewers
Justin Crawford, Phillies
Pete Crow-Armstrong, Cubs
Yanquiel Fernandez, Rockies
Victor Scott II, Cardinals
James Wood, Nationals
PITCHERS
Mick Abel, RHP, Phillies (Double-A Reading)
Age: 21. B-T: R-R. HT: 6-5. WT: 190.
SOURCE: Jesuit HS, Portland, Ore.
HOW ACQUIRED: Selected by Phillies in first round (15th overall) of 2020 draft.
BACKGROUND: Abel quickly established himself as one of the Phillies’ top prospects thanks to an impressive four-pitch mix.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR: While Abel will struggle to throw strikes consistently, his high-spin, swing-and-miss fastball will cause trouble for hitters, and his hard mid-80s slider could lead to foolish swings.
Kyle Harrison, LHP, Giants (Triple-A Sacramento)
Age: 21. B-T: R-L. HT: 6-2. WT: 200.
SOURCE: De La Salle HS, Concord, Calif.
HOW ACQUIRED: Selected by Giants in third round of 2020 draft.
BACKGROUND: The Giants spent big to buy Harrison out of his commitment to UCLA and watched him develop into a top pitching prospect.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Harrison has a nasty mix of a mid-90s fastball and knockout slider. His command is a bit shaky at times, but his pure stuff should take center stage in this setting.
Tink Hence, RHP, Cardinals (High-A Peoria)
Age: 20. B-T: R-R. HT: 6-1. WT: 185.
SOURCE: Watson Chapel HS, Pine Buff, Ark.
HOW ACQUIRED: Selected by Cardinals in supplemental second round of 2020 draft.
BACKGROUND: Hence has been one of the most exciting players in the minor leagues the last two seasons. He starred in the Arizona Fall League in 2022 and was thriving in High-A this season.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Hence mixes a plus fastball that will touch the upper 90s with a slider, curveball and changeup.
J.P. Massey, RHP, Pirates (High-A Greensboro)
Age: 23. B-T: R-R. HT: 6-5. WT: 205.
SOURCE: Minnesota
HOW ACQUIRED: Selected by Pirates in seventh round of 2022 draft.
BACKGROUND: A down season at Minnesota didn’t deter the Pirates from taking a chance on Massey’s pure stuff.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Massey’s fastball currently sits in the low 90s but could reach a few clicks higher in shorter bursts. He might also break off a nasty breaking ball if his mechanics sync up.
Jacob Misiorowski, RHP, Brewers (High-A Wisconsin)
Age: 21. B-T: R-R. HT: 6-7. WT: 190.
SOURCE: Crowder (Mo.) JC.
HOW ACQUIRED: Selected by Brewers in second round of 2022 draft.
BACKGROUND: Misiorowski showed explosive stuff and a wild streak in junior college. The Brewers drafted the gangly righty in the second round.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Not many minor league pitchers can match Misiorowski’s raw stuff. He has topped out at 101 mph with plus extension, and he backs that up with a wipeout slider.
Pat Monteverde, LHP, Marlins (Double-A Pensacola)
Age: 25. B-T: R-L. HT: 6-2. WT: 200.
SOURCE: Texas Tech
HOW ACQUIRED: Selected by Marlins in eighth round of 2021 draft
BACKGROUND: Monteverde pitched at three colleges, missing nearly two seasons with Tommy John surgery. He pitched for Texas Tech as a grad transfer.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Monteverde carved in Double-A this season as a veteran. He doesn’t have a knockout pitch, but his changeup gets whiffs at a high clip and he throws plenty of strikes.
Spencer Schwellenbach, RHP, Braves (Low-A Augusta)
Age: 23. B-T: R-R. HT: 6-1. WT: 200.
SOURCE: Nebraska
HOW ACQUIRED: Selected by Braves in second round of 2021 draft.
BACKGROUND: Schwellenbach was a two-way star at Nebraska who played shortstop and pitched. He had Tommy John surgery after the 2021 draft and missed all of 2022.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Schwellenbach sits mid 90s on his fastball and can touch 98-99 mph while mixing in a slider and a changeup.
Mike Vasil, RHP, Mets (Triple-A Syracuse)
Age: 24. B-T: L-R. HT: 6-5. WT: 225.
SOURCE: Virginia.
HOW ACQUIRED: Selected by Mets in eighth round of 2021 draft.
BACKGROUND: A standout high school prospect, Vasil withdrew from the 2018 draft and then pitched erratically in three seasons at Virginia.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Vasil relies on a mid-90s fastball and plus slider and rounds out his arsenal with an average curveball and changeup. He was throwing more strikes and holding his stuff better in 2023.
Carson Whisenhunt, LHP, Giants (Double-A Richmond)
Age: 22. B-T: L-L. HT: 6-3. WT: 209.
SOURCE: East Carolina
HOW ACQUIRED: Selected by Giants in second round of 2022 draft.
BACKGROUND: Whisenhunt missed his draft year after testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance, but that didn’t deter the Giants from drafting him in the second round.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Whisenhunt could have the best changeup in the minor leagues. He can shape the plus-plus pitch depending on his pinkie placement.
CATCHERS
Jeferson Quero, C, Brewers (Double-A Biloxi)
Age: 20. B-T: R-R. HT: 5-11. WT: 215.
SOURCE: Venezuela.
HOW ACQUIRED: Signed as international free agent by Brewers, July 2, 2019.
BACKGROUND: Quero is a precocious catching talent who has hurtled through the minor leagues by reaching Double-A as a 20-year-old this season.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Quero has added emerging power to a contact-oriented hitting approach, but he shines even brighter behind the plate. He is a plus receiver with plus lateral agility and a plus arm.
Dalton Rushing, C, Dodgers (High-A Great Lakes)
Age: 22. B-T: L-R. HT: 6-1. WT: 220.
SOURCE: Louisville
HOW ACQUIRED: Selected by Dodgers in second round of 2022 draft.
BACKGROUND: A chiseled lefthanded slugger, Rushing hit 23 home runs his junior season at Louisville and hit eight more after being drafted in his pro debut.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Rushing has some of the biggest power of any prospect and can make balls disappear in a hurry.
INFIELDERS
Ryan Bliss, 2B, D-backs (Double-A Amarillo)
Age: 23. B-T: R-R. HT: 5-6. WT: 165
SOURCE: Auburn.
HOW ACQUIRED: Selected by D-backs in second round of 2021 draft.
BACKGROUND: One of college baseball’s top hitters at Auburn, Bliss is now in the hunt for the minor league batting title and led the minors in hits.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Bliss is an exemplary contact hitter and lines the ball to all fields to set the table atop the lineup. He makes lots of hard contact after adjusting the steepness of his swing this season.
Brady House, SS, Nationals (High-A Wilmington)
Age: 20. B-T. R-R. HT: 6-4. WT: 215.
SOURCE: Winder-Barrow HS, Winder, Ga.
HOW ACQUIRED: Selected by Nationals in first round (11th overall) of 2021 draft.
BACKGROUND: House was one of the best hitters in the 2021 draft class and, after battling injuries in his first full season, has been one of the top hitters at the Class A levels this year.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR: House hits balls extremely hard with his huge power and also has a rocket for an arm.
Jordan Lawlar, SS, D-backs (Double-A Amarillo)
Age: 20. B-T. R-R. HT: 6-1. WT: 190.
SOURCE: Jesuit Prep HS, Dallas
HOW ACQUIRED: Selected by D-backs in first round (sixth overall) of 2021 draft.
BACKGROUND: Arguably the best high school player in his class, Lawlar hit .303/.401/.509 with 16 homers and 39 steals in his first full season and reached Double-A as a 19-year-old.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Lawlar is a twitchy and electric player capable of hitting a home run, stealing a base or making a highlight-reel play at shortstop.
Noelvi Marte, SS/3B, Reds (Double-A Chattanooga)
Age: 21. B-T: R-R. HT: 6-0. WT: 216.
SOURCE: Dominican Republic.
HOW ACQUIRED: Traded by Mariners with three others to Reds for RHP Luis Castillo, July 30, 2022.
BACKGROUND: Marte was viewed as one of the best prospects in the 2018 international class and has evolved from a speedy shortstop to a more powerful future MLB third baseman.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Marte should put on an impressive show in batting practice and will be one of the better power hitters in the game.
Jackson Merrill, SS, Padres (High-A Fort Wayne)
Age: 20. B-T: L-R. HT: 6-3. WT: 195.
SOURCE: Severna Park (Md.) HS
HOW ACQUIRED: Selected by Padres in first round (27th overall) of 2021 draft.
BACKGROUND: Merrill hit .325 with a .869 OPS in his first full season last year at Low-A Lake Elsinore and was the third-youngest player invited to the Arizona Fall League.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Merrill has a sweet lefthanded swing and is capable of driving the ball against both lefthanded and righthanded pitchers.
BJ Murray Jr., 3B/1B, Cubs (Double-A Tennessee)
Age: 23. B-T: B-R. HT: 5-10. WT: 205.
SOURCE: Florida Atlantic
HOW ACQUIRED: Selected by Cubs in 15th round of 2021 draft.
BACKGROUND: Murray grew up in the Bahamas and moved to Florida for high school before starring at Florida Atlantic.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Murray is a switch-hitter who is a true threat from both sides of the plate and has excellent strike-zone discipline. He has played first, second and third base.
Nasim Nunez, SS/2B, Marlins (Double-A Pensacola)
Age: 22. B-T: B-R. HT: 5-9. WT: 168.
SOURCE: Collins Hill HS, Suwanee, Ga.
HOW ACQUIRED: Selected by Marlins in second round of 2019 draft
BACKGROUND: Nunez was taken out of high school in Georgia on the strength of a leadoff man’s skill set and standout defense up the middle.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Nunez came to camp more physical and has added a hint of power to his game. Still, his main assets are his legs and his defense, which includes excellent actions and a strong arm.
Endy Rodriguez, 1B/C, Pirates (Triple-A Indianapolis)
Age: 23. B-T: B-R. HT: 5-9. WT: 170.
SOURCE: Dominican Republic
HOW ACQUIRED: Acquired from Mets in three-team deal that sent LHP Joey Lucchesi to New York and RHP Joe Musgrove to the Pirates, Jan. 19, 2021.
BACKGROUND: Rodriguez had a breakout season in 2022 that landed him atop the Pirates’ rankings.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Rodriguez has scuffled a bit this year because of poor swing decisions. Defensively, he’s athletic enough to move around the infield and outfield.
OUTFIELDERS
Jackson Chourio, OF, Brewers (Double-A Biloxi)
Age: 19. B-T: R-R. HT: 6-1. WT: 165.
SOURCE: Venezuela.
HOW ACQUIRED: Signed as international free agent by Brewers, Jan. 15, 2021.
BACKGROUND: Few teams are more successful in Venezuela than the Brewers, and Chourio is the crown jewel of those efforts.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Chourio busted out as an 18-year-old in 2022, showing power, speed, arm strength and a center field profile. He was producing more of the same at Double-A after a slow start.
Justin Crawford, OF, Phillies (Low-A Clearwater)
Age: 19 B-T: L-R. HT: 6-3. WT: 175
SOURCE: Bishop Gorman HS, Las Vegas
HOW ACQUIRED: Selected by Phillies in first round (17th overall) of 2022 draft.
BACKGROUND: The son of all-star Carl Crawford, Justin impressed in his first full pro season and vaulted himself onto the Top 100 Prospects list.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Power is not a big part of Crawford’s game. Instead he’ll spray balls into the gaps with his above-average hit tool and rely on his plus-plus speed to create havoc on the basepaths.
Pete Crow-Armstrong, OF, Cubs (Double-A Tennessee)
Age: 21. B-T: L-L. HT: 5-11 WT: 184.
SOURCE: Harvard-Westlake HS, Studio City, Calif.
HOW ACQUIRED: Traded by Mets to Cubs for SS Javier Baez and RHP Trevor Williams, July 30, 2021.
BACKGROUND: Crow-Armstrong suffered a shoulder injury that cost him much of his first pro season. He was traded to the Cubs while recovering.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Crow-Armstrong is one of the most talented center fielders in baseball and regularly makes difficult catches look easy. He has a table-setting offensive profile.
Yanquiel Fernandez, OF, Rockies (Double-A Hartford)
Age: 20. B-T: L-L. HT: 6-2. WT: 198.
SOURCE: Cuba.
HOW ACQUIRED: Signed as international free agent by Rockies, July 12, 2019.
BACKGROUND: Fernandez has displayed plus game power and advanced hitting ability in each of the last two seasons since coming to the U.S.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR: One of the best young power hitters in the minor leagues, Fernandez will hit majestic home runs while limiting his strikeouts, offering a rare combination.
Victor Scott, OF, Cardinals (High-A Peoria)
Age: 22. B-T: L-L. HT: 5-9. WT: 190.
SOURCE: West Virginia.
HOW ACQUIRED: Selected by Cardinals in fifth round of 2022 draft.
BACKGROUND: Scott led the Big 12 Conference with 38 stolen bases in 2022 and continued to demonstrate his elite speed with 50 stolen bases in his first 66 games at the Class A levels this season.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Scott is one of the fastest players in professional baseball and uses that speed to effectively steal bases and make highlight-reel catches in the outfield.
James Wood, OF, Nationals (Double-A Harrisburg)
Age: 20. B-T: L-R. HT: 6-6. WT: 240.
SOURCE: IMG Academy HS, Bradenton, Fla.
HOW ACQUIRED: Traded by Padres with five others to Nationals for OF Juan Soto and 1B Josh Bell, Aug. 2, 2022.
BACKGROUND: The Padres went way over slot to sign Wood for $2.6 million in 2021. About a year later, they made Wood one of the centerpieces of their Juan Soto deal.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Power is Wood’s calling card, and the 6-foot-6 center fielder gets to it in games.
