2018 Futures Game World Team Capsules

 

 

Enyel De Los Santos, RHP, Phillies (Triple-A Lehigh Valley)
Age: 22. HT: 6-3. WT: 170. B-T: R-R.
Source: Dominican Republic.
How Acquired: Traded by Padres to Phillies for SS Freddy Galvis, Dec. 15, 2017.

Background: Originally signed by the Mariners in 2014, de los Santos is part of a wave of high-end arms at the Phillies’ upper levels.

What To Watch For: De los Santos can sit in the mid-90s and touch even higher with his high-octane fastball. He also get swings and misses with an above-average changeup.

Jorge Guzman, RHP, Marlins (High Class A Jupiter)
Age: 22. HT: 6-2. WT: 182. B-T: R-R.
Source: Dominican Republic.
How Acquired: Traded by Yankees with 2B Starlin Castro and SS Jose Devers to Marlins for OF Giancarlo Stanton, Dec. 11, 2017.

Background: Originally signed by the Astros in 2014, Guzman had previously been traded to the Yankees for Brian Mcann.

What To Watch For: Guzman is one of the hardest-throwing starters in the minors. In a game filled with hard throwers, Guzman might be tops.

Yoan Lopez, RHP, Diamondbacks (Double-A Jackson)
Age: 25. HT: 6-3. WT: 185. B-T: R-R.
Source: Cuba.
How Acquired: Signed as international free agent by Diamondbacks, Jan. 16, 2015.

Background: A touted Cuban signing, Lopez has dominated since moving to the bullpen last year. He has 111 strikeouts in 67 relief innings the last two seasons and moved into a closer’s role.

What To Watch For: Lopez has some of the best pure stuff around with a 97-99 mph fastball and a wipeout 91-93 mph slider.

Kieran Lovegrove, RHP. Indians (Double-A Akron)
Age: 23. HT: 6-4. WT: 185. B-T: R-R.
Source: South Africa (high school in California).
How Acquired: Selected by Indians in third round of 2012 draft.

Background: After posting an ERA north of 5.00 last year, Lovegrove is having the best season of his career, dominating at two different levels.

What To Watch For: Lovegrove has a power arm with a fastball he can run into the upper 90s and the stuff to miss bats.

Jesus Luzardo, LHP, Athletics (Double-A Midland)
Age: 20. HT: 6-1. WT: 205. B-T: L-L.
Source: Venezuela (high school in Florida).
How Acquired: Traded by Nationals with two others to Athletics for LHP Sean Doolitte and RHP Ryan Madson, July 16, 2017.

Background: The Nationals made Luzardo a 2015 third-round pick even though Tommy John surgery cost him most of his senior season.

What To Watch For: Luzardo has some of the best stuff in the minors with three plus pitches at times. His changeup is one of the minors’ best.

Bryan Mata, RHP, Red Sox (High Class A Salem)
Age: 19. HT: 6-3. WT: 160. B-T: R-R.
Source: Venezuela.
How Acquired: Signed as international free agent by Red Sox, Jan. 27, 2016.

Background: One of the best pitching prospects in the Boston system, Mata is one of the youngest players in high Class A.

What To Watch For: While his walk rate is high, Mata has the feel for mixing pitches and keeping hitters off balance to generate weak contact.

Lewis Thorpe, LHP, Twins (Double-A Chattanooga)
Age: 22. HT: 6-1. WT: 160. B-T: R-L.
Source: Australia.
How Acquired: Signed as international free agent by Twins, July 12, 2012.

Background: Thorpe was considered the best pitching prospect to come out of Australia in years when the Twins signed him in 2012.

What To Watch For: After coming back from Tommy John surgery, Thorpe’s stuff has picked up this year, though his secondary pitches need further refinement.

Jesus Tinoco, RHP, Rockies (Double-A Hartford)
Age: 23. HT: 6-4. WT: 190. B-T: R-R.
Source: Venezuela.
How Acquired: Traded by Blue Jays with RHP Jeff Hoffman and two others to Rockies for SS Troy Tulowitzki, July 28, 2015.

Background: Tinoco has learned to tame his big stuff since joining the Rockies and is on pace to for the most strikeouts of his career.

What To Watch For: Tinoco’s arsenal is headlined by a mid-90s fastball and a curveball and changeup that both draw swings and misses.

Alex Wells, LHP, Orioles (High Class A Frederick)
Age: 21. HT: 6-1. WT: 190. B-T: L-L.
Source: Australia.
How Acquired: Signed as international free agent by Orioles, Aug. 29, 2015.

Background: Wells is almost always in control. With 10 walks in 140 innings last season, he was second in the minors in walk-rate.

What To Watch For: Wells stands out more for his savvy than his pure stuff. He’s a prolific strike-thrower with an ability to locate his fastball to all parts of the strike zone.

Miguel Amaya, C, Cubs (Low Class A South Bend)
Age: 19. HT: 6-1. WT: 185. B-T: R-R.
Source: Panama.
How Acquired: Signed as international free agent by Cubs, July 17, 2015.

Background: Amaya skipped over the Arizona League in 2016 in favor of short-season Eugene, where he held his own.

What To Watch For: Amaya has taken huge strides this year with his plate discipline and he blends strong offensive and defensive skills.

Francisco Mejia, C, Indians (Triple-A Columbus)
Age: 22. HT: 5-10. WT: 180. B-T: B-R.
Source: Dominican Republic.
How Acquired: Signed as international free agent by Indians, July 2, 2012.

Background: Mejia had a 50-game hitting streak in 2016, the longest streak since the minors reorganized into their modern form in 1963.

What To Watch For: Mejia is one of the most talented hitters in the minors, with terrific hand-eye coordination and bat-to-ball skills.

Keibert Ruiz, C, Dodgers (Double-A Tulsa)
Age: 19. HT: 6-0. WT: 200. B-T: B-R.
Source: Venezuela.
How Acquired: Signed as international free agent by Dodgers, July 20, 2014.

Background: The switch-hitting Ruiz showed uncanny hitting ability and vaulted to Double-A by the time he was 19.

What To Watch For: Ruiz lines the ball hard from both sides of the plate and has the arm strength to gun down basestealers.

Yordan Alvarez, 1B, Astros (Double-A Corpus Christi)
Age: 21. HT: 6-5. WT: 225. B-T: L-R.
Source: Cuba.
How Acquired: Traded by Dodgers to Astros for RHP Josh Fields, July 31, 2016.

Background: Originally signed out of Cuba by the Dodgers, he was traded to the Astros before he played for any Dodgers’ affiliate.

What To Watch For: Alvarez has one of the best combinations of power and hitting ability in the minors.

Luis Garcia, 2B/SS, Nationals (Low Class A Hagerstown)
Age: 18. HT: 6-0. WT: 190. B-T: L-R.
Source: Dominican Republic.
How Acquired: Signed as international free agent by Nationals, July 2, 2016.

Background: Garcia is one of the game’s fastest-rising prospects, as the Nationals promoted him to high Class A in July at just 18 years old.

What To Watch For: Garcia has an exciting combination of hitting ability, athleticism and defensive skills.

Luis Urias, 2B, Padres (Triple-A El Paso)
Age: 21. HT: 5-9. WT: 185. B-T: R-R.
Source: Mexico.
How Acquired: Signed as international free agent by Padres, Dec. 27, 2013.

Background: Blessed with a gifted eye and sweet stroke, Urias hit .330 to win the California League batting title at age 19.

What To Watch For: Urias rarely strikes out, and when he gets a pitch in the zone can drive it on a line to all fields.

Fernando Tatis Jr., SS/3B, Padres (Double-A San Antonio)
Age: 19. HT: 6-3. WT: 185. B-T: R-R
Source: Dominican Republic.
How Acquired: Traded by White Sox to Padres for RHP James Shields, June 4, 2016.

Background: Tatis Jr. is the son of long-time big league third baseman Fernando Tatis.

What To Watch For: Tatis is one of the best prospects in baseball. He’s an athletic, big shortstop in the mold of Carlos Correa or Corey Seager with similar power potential.

Andres Gimenez, SS, Mets (High Class A St. Lucie)
Age: 19. HT: 5-11. WT: 161. B-T: L-R.
Source: Venezuela.
How Acquired: Signed as international free agent by Mets, July 2, 2015.

Background: Gimenez hit .350 in his pro debut in the Dominican Summer League, then zoomed to low Class A at age 18

What To Watch For: Gimenez is a gifted hitter who controls the strike zone and has shown increased power and speed this season.

Dawel Lugo, 3B, Tigers (Triple-A Toledo)
Age: 23. HT: 6-0. WT: 190. B-T: R-R.
Source: Dominican Republic.
How Acquired: Traded by D-backs with two others to Tigers for OF J.D. Martinez, July 18, 2017.

Background: A top international signee by the Blue Jays in 2011, Lugo has hit consistently as a pro as he has moved around the infield…

What To Watch For: Lugo has a laser for an arm, capable of making eye-opening throws from across the diamond.

Randy Arozarena, OF, Cardinals (Triple-A Memphis)
Age: 23. HT: 5-11. WT: 170. B-T: R-R.
Source: Cuba.
How Acquired: Signed as international free agent by Cardinals, Aug. 1, 2016.

Background: Arozarena has quickly ascended to Triple-A, where he has distinguished himself with his athleticism and speed.

What To Watch For: Arozarena is liable to swipe a bag at any time or use his speed to rob an extra-base hit in the gap.

Luis Basabe, OF, White Sox (Double-A Birmingham)
Age: 21. HT: 6-0. WT: 160. B-T: B-R.
Source: Venezuela.
How Acquired: Traded by Red Sox with three others to White Sox for LHP Chris Sale, Dec. 6, 2016.

Background: Originally signed by the Red Sox in 2012, Basabe joined Yoan Moncada and Michael Kopech as the key components of the Sale trade.

What To Watch For: A gifted center fielder with power, Basabe cam impact the game on both sides of the ball.

Yusniel Diaz, OF, Dodgers (Double-A Tulsa)
Age: 21. HT: 6-1. WT: 195. B-T: R-R.
Source: Cuba.
How Acquired: Signed as international free agent by Dodgers, Nov. 21, 2015.

Background: Diaz excelled as a teenager playing professionally in Cuba and has gotten better since coming to the U.S.

What To Watch For: The well-rounded Diaz can take a walk, bang a double, steal a base or make a racing grab in the gap.

Seuly Matias, OF, Royals (Low Class A Lexington)
Age: 19. HT: 6-3. WT: 200. B-T: R-R.
Source: Dominican Republic.
How Acquired: Signed as international free agent by Royals, July 4, 2015.

Background: Matias impressed scouts with big power and a big arm during workouts as an amateur.

What To Watch For: Matias is showing an improved ability to hit, and he has outstanding power, leading the minors in home runs.

Heliot Ramos, OF, Giants (Low Class A Augusta)
Age: 18. HT: 6-2. WT: 185. B-T: R-R.
Source: Puerto Rico.
How Acquired: Selected by Giants in first round (19th overall) of 2017 draft.

Background: Ramos is one of the younger players in the South Atlantic League and one of the Giants’ most talented prospects.

What To Watch For: Ramos is a potential power/speed threat, with the athleticism to play a premium position in center field.

Jesus Sanchez, OF, Rays (High Class A Charlotte)
Age: 20. HT: 6-3. WT: 210. B-T: L-R.
Source: Dominican Republic.
How Acquired: Signed as international free agent by Rays, July 2, 2014.

Background: Sanchez has quickly leapt to the forefront of a loaded Rays system with a blend of skills on both sides of the ball.

What To Watch For: It wouldn’t be surprising to see Sanchez make a highlight-reel catch in the outfield or hit a ball over the wall at Nationals Park.

Leody Taveras, OF, Rangers (High Class A Down East)
Age: 19. HT: 6-1. WT: 170. B-T: B-R.
Source: Dominican Republic.
How Acquired: Signed as international free agent by Rangers, July 2, 2015.

Background: The Rangers have moved Taveras aggressively, beginning with his time at short-season Spokane as a 17-year-old..

What To Watch For: Taveras has struggled with the bat this year, but he can still provide excellent defense in center field.