2023 American League Futures Game Roster, Player-By-Player Analysis
Image credit: Harry Ford (Photo by Chris Bernacchi/Diamond Images via Getty Images)
Major League Baseball announced the 2023 Futures Game rosters on Monday. Below you can find the complete American League roster with player-by-player analysis.
The American League roster will be managed by 12-year major league second baseman Harold Reynolds. The coaching staff includes former big leaguers including Jamie Moyer (pitching coach) and Alvin Davis (hitting coach).
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PITCHERS
Clayton Beeter, Yankees
Jonathan Cannon, White Sox
Joey Cantillo, Guardians
Shane Drohan, Red Sox
David Festa, Twins
Luis Guerrero, Red Sox
Will Klein, Royals
Sem Robberse, Blue Jays
Owen White, Rangers
Yosver Zulueta, Blue Jays
CATCHERS
Harry Ford, Mariners
Edgar Quero, Angels
Tyler Soderstrom, A’s
INFIELDERS
Junior Caminero, Rays
Jackson Holliday, Orioles
Colt Keith, Tigers
Justyn-Henry Malloy, Tigers
Kyren Paris, Angels
Kyle Manzardo, Rays
Marcelo Mayer, Red Sox
Nick Yorke, Red Sox
OUTFIELDERS
Lawrence Butler, A’s
Jonatan Clase, Mariners
Drew Gilbert, Astros
Heston Kjerstad, Orioles
Spencer Jones, Yankees
PITCHERS
Clayton Beeter, RHP, Yankees (Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre)
Age: 24. B-T: R-R. HT: 6-2. WT: 220.
SOURCE: Texas Tech.
HOW ACQUIRED: Traded by Dodgers to Yankees for OF Joey Gallo, Aug. 2, 2022.
BACKGROUND: A Dodgers second-round pick in 2020, Beeter dominated in the first half in his first full year in the Yankees organization.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Beeter gets outs thanks to a combination of a deceptive delivery, a low-to-mid-90s fastball and a potentially plus slider. He began using his changeup more often against lefthanders.
Jonathan Cannon, RHP, White Sox (High-A Winston-Salem)
Age: 22. B-T: R-R. HT: 6-6. WT: 213.
SOURCE: Georgia.
HOW ACQUIRED: Selected by White Sox in third round of 2022 draft.
BACKGROUND: Cannon adapted quickly to High-A after spending three seasons in the rugged SEC.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR: In a short outing, Cannon could sit in the higher range of his 93-96 mph velocity range. He is a four-pitch starter who leans on his sinker and slider but has an average cutter and changeup he can use to mix things up.
Joey Cantillo, LHP, Guardians (Triple-A Columbus)
Age: 23. B-T: L-L. HT: 6-4. WT: 225.
SOURCE: Kailua (Hawaii) HS.
HOW ACQUIRED: Traded by Padres with five others to Guardians, Aug. 31, 2020.
BACKGROUND: A Padres 16th-rounder in 2017, Cantillo was part of the megadeal that sent Mike Clevinger to the Padres and also brought Josh Naylor and Cal Quantrill to Cleveland.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Cantillo is a physical lefthander who tops out in the mid 90s. His changeup can be plus and his slider is above-average.
Shane Drohan, LHP, Red Sox (Triple-A Worcester)
Age: 24. B-T: L-L. HT: 6-3. WT: 195.
SOURCE: Florida State
HOW ACQUIRED: Selected by Red Sox in fifth round of 2020 draft.
BACKGROUND: Drohan added a cutter this season and immediately broke out in Double-A, producing a 1.32 ERA over six starts and earning a bump to Triple-A.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Drohan mixes a deep arsenal of offerings, including a low-90s fastball, a mid-80s cutter, a changeup and a curveball.
David Festa, RHP, Twins (Double-A Wichita)
Age: 23. B-T: R-R. HT: 6-6. WT: 185.
SOURCE: Seton Hall.
HOW ACQUIRED: Selected by Twins in 13th round of 2021 draft.
BACKGROUND: Festa made an immediate impact as a freshman as Seton Hall’s Sunday starter. As a junior, he became the Pirates’ Friday starter.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Festa is still a skinny 6-foot-6, but he’s filled out and added good weight. He has a plus 94-97 mph fastball with excellent carry, but he has even more confidence in his plus changeup.
Luis Guerrero, RHP, Red Sox (Double-A Portland)
Age: 23. B-T: R-R. HT: 6-0. WT: 215.
SOURCE: Chipola (Fla.) JC
HOW ACQUIRED: Selected by Red Sox in 17th round of 2021 draft.
BACKGROUND: Born in the Dominican Republic but raised in Boston, Guerrero is close to debuting for his hometown team.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Guerrero throws a high-90s fastball that touches 99 mph with a devastating splitter in the high 80s. His right knee lacks full range of motion and he walks with a pronounced limp.
Will Klein, RHP, Royals (Triple-A Omaha)
Age: 23. B-T: R-R. HT: 6-5. WT: 230.
SOURCE: Eastern Illinois.
HOW ACQUIRED: Selected by Royals in fifth round of 2020 draft.
BACKGROUND: Klein converted from catcher to pitcher late in high school and then pitched his way to a fifth-round status after three collegiate seasons.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Klein has settled into a bullpen role in pro ball. This season he has sharpened his control of his mix, which includes a mid-90s fastball with plus ride and a power curveball.
Sem Robberse, RHP, Blue Jays (Double-A New Hampshire)
Age: 21. B-T: R-R. HT: 6-1. WT: 185.
SOURCE: Netherlands.
HOW ACQUIRED: Signed as international free agent by Blue Jays, July 24, 2019.
BACKGROUND: A native of the Netherlands, Robberse is one of the few legitimate European prospects in history.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Robberse won’t overpower hitters with his stuff, but he will attack with his low-90s fastball, above-average slider, firm changeup and strike-throwing ability.
Owen White, RHP, Rangers (Triple-A Round Rock)
Age: 23. B-T: R-R. HT: 6-3. WT: 199.
SOURCE: Carson HS, China Grove, N.C.
HOW ACQUIRED: Selected by Rangers in second round of 2018 draft.
BACKGROUND: White’s career stalled because of injuries, including Tommy John surgery and the pandemic, but he broke out in 2022.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Though he’s been inconsistent this season, White has an electric arsenal fronted by a mid-90s fastball and nasty combination of a cutter and slider.
Yosver Zulueta, RHP, Blue Jays (Triple-A Buffalo)
Age: 25. B-T: R-R. HT: 6-1. WT: 190.
SOURCE: Cuba
HOW ACQUIRED: Signed as international free agent by Blue Jays, June 11, 2019.
BACKGROUND: Injuries sidelined Zulueta for the first two years of his career, but he proved to be one of the hardest throwers in all of baseball the last two seasons.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Working primarily in relief this year, Zulueta touches triple digits and mixes in two breaking ball shapes.
CATCHERS
Harry Ford, C, Mariners (High-A Everett)
Age: 20 B-T: R-R. HT: 5-10. WT: 210.
SOURCE: North Cobb HS, Kennesaw, Ga.
HOW ACQUIRED: Selected by Mariners in first round (12th overall) of 2021 draft.
BACKGROUND: Ford is the highest-drafted high school catcher since 2015 and was the starting catcher and cleanup hitter for Great Britain in the 2023 World Baseball Classic.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Ford is an on-base machine and has a rare combination of power and speed for a catcher.
Edgar Quero, C, Angels (Double-A Rocket City)
Age: 20. B-T: B-R. HT: 5-11. WT: 170.
SOURCE: Cuba.
HOW ACQUIRED: Signed as international free agent by Angels, Feb. 26. 2021.
BACKGROUND: Quero hit .312 with 17 home runs and 75 RBIs to win the Low-A California League’s MVP award in 2022 and skipped High-A straight to Double-A in 2023.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR: A switch-hitting catcher, Quero is an incredibly patient hitter who is particularly dangerous from the right side.
Tyler Soderstrom, C, Athletics (Triple-A Las Vegas)
Age: 21. B-T: L-R. HT: 6-1. WT: 200.
SOURCE: Turlock (Calif.) HS.
HOW ACQUIRED: Selected by Athletics in first round (26th overall) of 2020 draft.
BACKGROUND: Oakland went more than 20% over slot to sign NorCal prep Soderstrom away from a UCLA commitment in 2020.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Soderstrom has precocious power. He is one of the youngest regulars at Triple-A and has the potential for 30-plus homers in MLB.
INFIELDERS
Junior Caminero, 3B/SS, Rays (Double-A Montgomery)
Age: 20. B-T: R-R. HT: 6-1. WT: 157.
SOURCE: Dominican Republic.
HOW ACQUIRED: Traded by Guardians to Rays for RHP Tobias Myers, Nov. 19, 2021.
BACKGROUND: Facing a 40-man roster logjam, the Rays sent Myers to the Guardians and got Caminero in return. Myers was soon dropped from Cleveland’s 40-man roster while Caminero has flourished.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Caminero is an aggressive hitter who punishes pitchers when they make mistakes, and sometimes even when they don’t.
Jackson Holliday, SS, Orioles (High-A Aberdeen)
Age: 19. B-T: L-R. HT: 6-0. WT: 185.
SOURCE: Stillwater (Okla.) HS
HOW ACQUIRED: Selected by Orioles in first round (first overall) of 2022 draft.
BACKGROUND: The top pick in last year’s draft is the son of former MLB all-star Matt Holliday.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR: One of the best young hitters in baseball, Holliday has a smooth lefthanded swing that produces lots of hard contact. A strong runner, Holliday can impact the game in a variety of ways.
Justyn-Henry Malloy, 3B, Tigers (Triple-A Toledo)
Age: 23. B-T: R-R. HT: 6-1. WT: 212.
SOURCE: Georgia Tech.
HOW ACQUIRED: Traded to by Braves to Tigers for Joe Jimenez on Dec. 7, 2022.
BACKGROUND: Henry-Malloy played two seasons at Vanderbilt before transferring to Georgia Tech for his draft season. He hit 11 home runs with the Yellow Jackets and was selected by the Braves in the sixth round of the 2021 draft.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Henry-Malloy is one of the purest hitters in the Tigers’ system and could easily provide a key hit in Seattle. He’s a third baseman but has gotten experience in the outfield as well.
Colt Keith, 3B, Tigers (Double-A Erie)
Age: 21. B-T: L-R. HT: 6-2. WT: 211.
SOURCE: Biloxi (Miss.) HS.
HOW ACQUIRED: Selected by Tigers in fifth round of 2020 draft.
BACKGROUND: Keith moved to Mississippi late in his high school career, but he was planning to head back to his home state to play for Arizona State before the Tigers convinced him to turn pro.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Keith is the Tigers’ best hitting prospect and has a knack for generating consistent power without racking up a lot of strikeouts.
Kyren Paris, SS/2B, Angels (Double-A Rocket City)
Age: 21. B-T: R-R. HT: 6-1. WT: 180.
SOURCE: Freedom HS, Oakley, Calif.
HOW ACQUIRED: Selected by Angels in second round of 2019 draft.
BACKGROUND: One of the fastest players in the minors, Paris has 75 stolen bases in 84 career attempts. He had gone 20-for-21 on steals this season.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Paris is a threat to steal any time he gets on base—which he has at a 37% clip as a pro—and has continually added strength to become a burgeoning power hitter.
Kyle Manzardo, 1B, Rays (Triple-A Durham)
Age: 22. B-T: L-R. HT: 6-0. WT: 205.
SOURCE: Washington State
HOW ACQUIRED: Selected by Rays in second round of 2021 draft.
BACKGROUND: Manzardo played for his father Paul at Lake City High in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Soon he will become just the 33rd MLB player born in Idaho.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Manzardo consistently hits hard line drives and long fly balls. As a first base-only prospect, he needs to hit a lot to claim a spot in a big league lineup.
Marcelo Mayer, SS, Red Sox (Double-A Portland)
Age: 20. B-T: L-R. HT: 6-2. WT: 188.
SOURCE: Eastlake HS, Chula Vista, Calif.
HOW ACQUIRED: Selected by Red Sox in first round (fourth overall) of 2021 draft.
BACKGROUND: Boston’s top prospect, Mayer was a standout in the talented California high school ranks. He reached Double-A by 20 years old.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Mayer is a shortstop with advanced hitting ability and blossoming power from the lefthanded batter’s box. He can change the game with one swing.
Nick Yorke, 2B, Red Sox (Double-A Portland)
Age: 21. B-T: R-R. HT: 5-11. WT: 200.
SOURCE: Archbishop Mitty HS, Can Jose, Calif.
HOW ACQUIRED: Selected by Red Sox in first round (17th overall) of 2020 draft.
BACKGROUND: Yorke’s name popped up late in the 2020 draft cycle, and the infielder was a surprise first-round selection by the Red Sox.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR: After a down year in 2022, Yorke has recaptured his combination of hitting ability and power. He is a talented hitter who works deep counts to find pitches to his liking.
OUTFIELDERS
Lawrence Butler, OF, Athletics (Double-A Midland)
Age: 22. B-T: L-R. HT: 6-3. WT: 210.
SOURCE: Westlake HS, Atlanta.
HOW ACQUIRED: Selected by Athletics in sixth round of 2018 draft.
BACKGROUND: Butler’s lefthanded power and youth attracted Oakland in the 2018 draft, and his slow-burn development in pro ball has culminated in Double-A success this season.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Butler is a plus athlete and runner who moves well in the outfield, but his power is his ticket to the show.
Jonatan Clase, OF, Mariners (Double-A Arkansas)
Age: 21. B-T: B-R. HT: 5-10. WT: 180.
SOURCE: Dominican Republic.
HOW ACQUIRED: Signed as international free agent by Mariners, July 2, 2018.
BACKGROUND: The lightning-fast Clase has had at least 10 home runs and 40 stolen bases each of the last two seasons and is one of the most dynamic players in the minors.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Clase is an equal threat to homer, steal a base or make a highlight-reel catch in center field.
Drew Gilbert, OF, Astros (Double-A Corpus Christi)
Age: 22. B-T: L-L. HT: 5-9. WT: 195.
SOURCE: Tennessee
HOW ACQUIRED: Selected by Astros in first round (28th overall) of 2022 draft.
BACKGROUND: A standout at Tennessee, Gilbert was a catalyst for a highly ranked Vols team prior to going pro.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR: A strong player on both sides of the ball, Gilbert can hit for contact and power while patrolling center field. He does a little of everything well.
Spencer Jones, OF, Yankees (High-A Hudson Valley)
Age: 22. B-T: L-L. HT: 6-6. WT: 225.
SOURCE: Vanderbilt.
HOW ACQUIRED: Selected by Yankees in first round of 2022 draft.
BACKGROUND: In 2022, the Yankees chose Jones out of Vanderbilt with their first-round pick. With the Commodores, Jones showcased an enticing combination of power, speed an athleticism.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR: On a national stage, Jones could show off a variety of gifts. His calling-card power should show up in batting practice and could lead to a long home run in the game. He also could use his speed to cause havoc on the basepaths or make a highlight-reel play in the outfield.
Heston Kjerstad, OF, Orioles (Triple-A Norfolk)
Age: 24. B-T: L-R. HT: 6-3. WT: 205.
SOURCE: Arkansas.
HOW ACQUIRED: Selected by Orioles in first round (second overall) of 2020 draft.
BACKGROUND: After going second overall in the 2020 draft, Kjerstad overcame two injury-plagued years to make his pro debut last June.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Kjerstad is one of the best power hitters in the Orioles’ talented system. His game is predicated on plus power and strong bat-to-ball skills.
