MLB Announces New Futures Game Competition

Image credit: SEATTLE, WA - JULY 08: A detail view of first base during the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game at T-Mobile Park on Saturday, July 8, 2023 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

On June 3, Major League Baseball announced a tweak to this year’s Futures Game.

The event, dubbed the MLB Futures Skills Showcase, will take place after the game, which is slated for July 13 at Globe Life Field, the home of the Rangers.

The competition will feature three rounds of offensive challenges designed, in MLB’s eyes, to highlight prospects’ all-around hitting abilities in a fun environment.

Here’s the lineup.

Round 1: “Hit it Here”: Hitters will aim to hit infield and outfield targets in order to earn points corresponding with each target’s value. Four obstacles (representing traditional infield positions) will be placed on the infield dirt, and hitters will earn points for hitting outfield targets on the fly or on a bounce. Similar to the KBO Bunt King competition, hitters may also earn points by bunting the ball onto bull’s-eye-style targets and earning points corresponding to where the ball rests.

Round 2: “Call Your Shot”: Hitters will have a number of swings to showcase their control. To start, they will announce to which field (left, right or center) they will try to hit the ball. If successful, they then will choose to hit to one of the two remaining fields, and once successful will have to hit the last field. After all fields are cleared, hitters will continue to “call their shot” to any field with their remaining swings. All hits must hit the outfield grass (clear the infield) to count.

Round 3: “Swing for the Fences”: Hitters will showcase their all-field power and attempt to hit home runs. Batters will earn bonuses for homers hit to the batter’s opposite field, and will have the opportunity to earn additional bonus points for streaks of home runs hit on consecutive swings.

The Futures Game rosters will be announced at a later date.