Image credit: 2024 MLB All-Star Game Weekend at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas on Thursday, July 11, 2024 (Photo by Eddie Kelly / ProLook Photos)

We’re now just a few days out from the 2024 MLB Futures Game. The game, a seven-inning exhibition featuring a star lineup of baseball’s top prospects, will take place Saturday, July 13 in Arlington, Texas as part of All-Star Weekend.

Below, you’ll find a complete rundown of American and National League rosters featuring player essentials, backgrounds and brief scouting reports.

You can also see the Futures Game program early exclusively at Baseball America below.

Futures Game Program 2024, … by Baseball America

American League

Pitchers

A.J. Blubaugh, RHP

TEAM: Astros (Triple-A Sugar Land)
AGE: 24 B-T: R-R HT: 6-2 WT: 190
SOURCE: Wisconsin-Milwaukee
HOW ACQUIRED: Selected by Astros in seventh round of 2022 draft

BACKGROUND: A seventh round pick out of Milwaukee in 2022, Blubaugh pitched his way to Triple-A in 2024. He’s a piece of the Astros’ next core of homegrown pitchers.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Blubaugh features five different pitch shapes in a four-seam fastball, slider, cutter, curveball and changeup. He has average stuff but mixes shapes effectively.

Caden Dana, RHP

TEAM: Angels (Double-A Rocket City)
AGE: 20 B-T: L-R HT: 6-4 WT: 215
SOURCE: Don Bosco Preparatory HS, Ramsey, N.J.
HOW ACQUIRED: Selected by Angels in 11th round of 2022 draft

BACKGROUND: At just 20 years old, Dana is holding his own in Double-A. He has a strong combination of stuff, command and the ability to work deep into starts.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Dana sits 94-95 mph as a starter and has been up to 97 mph this season on his fastball. Dana’s slider is his best swing-and-miss pitch, sitting mid-80s with cut.

Ben Kudrna, RHP

TEAM: Royals (High-A Quad Cities)
AGE: 21 B-T: R-R HT: 6-3 WT: 175
SOURCE: Blue Valley Southwest HS, Overland Park, Kan.
HOW ACQUIRED: Selected by Royals in second round of 2021 draft

BACKGROUND: Kudrna signed for $3 million out of the Kansas prep ranks in 2021 and has progressed into one of the Royals’ top prospects.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Kudrna sits 92-93 mph with above-average ride on his fastball. He’ll mix a mid-80s gyro slider, a changeup and a two-seam variation of his fastball.

Luis Morales, RHP

TEAM: Athletics (High-A Lansing)
AGE: 21 B-T: R-R HT: 6-3 WT: 190
SOURCE: Cuba
HOW ACQUIRED: Signed by Athletics as international free agent, Jan. 15, 2023

BACKGROUND: Morales signed for $3 million out of Cuba in 2023. He possesses some of the best stuff on the American League staff.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Morales has plus arm speed that translates to a powerful arsenal. He sits 97-98 mph as a starter and can touch triple digits in short spurts.

Emiliano Teodo pitches in the Arizona Fall League.

LISTEN HERE

Fernando Perez, RHP

TEAM: Blue Jays (Low-A Dunedin)
AGE: 20 B-T: R-R HT: 6-3 WT: 170
SOURCE: Nicaragua
HOW ACQUIRED: Signed by Blue Jays as international free agent, Jan. 15, 2022

BACKGROUND: Perez made headlines on the complex last year, as he pitched the bulk of a combined no-hitter. He’s continued to perform for Low-A Dunedin in 2024.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Perez won’t ‘wow’ you with his pure stuff, but he has a high level of pitchability and a plus changeup.

Winston Santos, RHP

TEAM: Rangers (Double-A Frisco)
AGE: 22 B-T: R-R HT: 6-0 WT: 160
SOURCE: Dominican Republic
HOW ACQUIRED: Signed by Rangers as international free agent, July 2, 2019

BACKGROUND: Santos cleaned up the shape of his fastball in 2024, and it’s transformed into a plus pitch. He struck out 30.5% of batters he faced in High-A before he was promoted to Double-A.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Santos sits 95-96 mph as a starter and has been up to 99 mph this season. In a one-inning stint, Santos can hit 100+ mph.

Noah Schultz, LHP

TEAM: White Sox (Double-A Birmingham)
AGE: 20 B-T: L-L HT: 6-9 WT: 220
SOURCE: Oswego (Ill.) East HS
HOW ACQUIRED: Selected by White Sox in first round (26th overall) of 2022 draft

BACKGROUND: A low-slot lefthander with premium stuff, Schultz is one of the top pitching prospects in the game and can dominate for stretches.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Schultz sits 95-96 mph on his sinking fastball with heavy armside run. His slider, a low-80s sweeper, is his best bat-misser.

Brock Selvidge, LHP

TEAM: Yankees (Double-A Somerset)
AGE: 21 B-T: R-L HT: 6-3 WT: 205
SOURCE: Hamilton HS, Chandler, Ariz.
HOW ACQUIRED: Selected by Yankees in third round of 2021 draft

BACKGROUND: Over the last three seasons, Selvidge has developed into one of the best pitching prospects in the Yankees’ system.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Selvidge is a classic slider-monster, throwing his mid-80s slider more than his fastball. The pitch sits mid-80s with moderate sweep.

Emiliano Teodo, RHP

TEAM: Rangers (Double-A Frisco)
AGE: 23 B-T: R-R HT: 6-1 WT: 165
SOURCE: Dominican Republic
HOW ACQUIRED: Signed by Rangers as international free agent, Jan. 28, 2020

BACKGROUND: Teodo remade his fastball shape in 2023 and has seen tremendous success since, dominating competition in Double-A in 2024.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: One of the hardest throwers in the Futures Game, Teodo has been up to 102 mph in 2024 as a starter and has eye-popping power.

Catchers

Samuel Basallo, C

TEAM: Orioles (Double-A Bowie)
AGE: 19 B-T: L-R HT: 6-4 WT: 180
SOURCE: Dominican Republic
HOW ACQUIRED: Signed by Orioles as international free agent, Jan. 15, 2021

BACKGROUND: The Orioles didn’t make any real effort on the international market for nearly a decade. Basallo signified a new approach, and he’s quickly become one of the Orioles’ best prospects.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Basallo had a wrist injury in spring training and had to get his timing back in April. He’s been on a tear ever since. He’s a 19-year-old who’s one of the best hitters in the Eastern League.

Harry Ford, C

TEAM: Mariners (Double-A Arkansas)
AGE: 21 B-T: R-R HT: 5-10 WT: 200
SOURCE: North Cobb HS, Kennesaw, Ga.
HOW ACQUIRED: Selected by Mariners in first round (ha overall) of 2021 draft

BACKGROUND: Ford knows all about big stages. He was Great Britain’s catcher in the World Baseball Classic, where he hit .308.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Ford is an extremely patient hitter. He doesn’t chase out of the strike zone and gears his offensive game around getting on-base.

Kyle Teel, C

TEAM: Red Sox (Double-A Portland)
AGE: 22 B-T: L-R HT: 6-0 WT: 190
SOURCE: Virginia
HOW ACQUIRED: Selected by Red Sox in first round (14th overall) of 2023 draft

BACKGROUND: Teel was a star at Virginia, where he kept his batting average above .400 for every day of the 2023 season. He’s a key part of a loaded Double-A Portland lineup.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: In an era where there are a lot of catchers who can field but struggle to hit, the athletic Teel is an all-around contributor who can hit for average and power and play catcher.

Infielders

Xavier Isaac, 1B

TEAM: Rays (High-A Bowling Green)
AGE: 20 B-T: L-L HT: 6-4 WT: 240
SOURCE: East Forsyth HS, Kernersville, N.C.
HOW ACQUIRED: Selected by Rays in first round (29th overall) of 2022 draft

BACKGROUND: A 240-pound, slugging first baseman in high school, Isaac has done an excellent job of getting stronger, more athletic and quicker as a pro. It’s paid off in his development into one of the game’s best young hitting prospects.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Isaac hits for average and power. He has true all-fields power with the comfort to spray line drives around the outfield, but also the power to hit a ball 450 feet.

Luke Keaschall, 2B

TEAM: Twins (Double-A Wichita)
AGE: 21 B-T: R-R HT: 6-1 WT: 190
SOURCE: Arizona State
HOW ACQUIRED: Selected in the second round (49th overall) of 2023 draft

BACKGROUND: After two solid years at San Francisco, Keaschall transferred to Arizona State for his draft year. He hit .353 that season and emerged as one of the better hitting prospects in the 2023 draft.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Keaschall has bounced between second base and the outfield this year. He’s battled a sore elbow, but he’s also shown that he can hit for average and power.

Hao-Yu Lee, 2B

TEAM: Tigers (Double-A Erie)
AGE: 21 B-T: R-R HT: 5-10 WT: 190
SOURCE: Taiwan
HOW ACQUIRED: Traded by Phillies to Tigers for RHP Michael Lorenzen, Aug. 2, 2023

BACKGROUND: The Phillies signed Lee out of Taiwan in 2021, but then traded him to the Tigers at the 2023 trade deadline for righthander Michael Lorenzen. Lee ranks in the top 10 in the Eastern League in most offensive categories.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Lee’s long been known for his hitting ability, but he’s also become rangier at second base. He has good body control and moves especially well to his left.

Marcelo Mayer, SS

TEAM: Red Sox (Double-A Portland)
AGE: 21 B-T: L-R HT: 6-3 WT: 188
SOURCE: Eastlake HS, Chula Vista, Calif.
HOW ACQUIRED: Selected by Red Sox in first round (fourth overall) of 2021 draft

BACKGROUND: A wrist injury wrecked Mayer’s 2023 season. Healthy again, he’s taken over the Eastern League lead in batting average while striking out less and hitting for more power.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Mayer is an extremely well-rounded shortstop. It’s hard to find a shortstop who can do as many things at an average to above-average level.

Colson Montgomery, SS

TEAM: White Sox (Triple-A Charlotte)
AGE: 22 B-T: L-R HT: 6-3 WT: 225
SOURCE: Southridge HS, Huntingburg, Ind.
HOW ACQUIRED: Selected by White Sox in first round (22nd overall) of 2021 draft

BACKGROUND: Montgomery has been on the fast track to the big leagues since the day he signed with the White Sox. He reached Triple-A Charlotte just after his 22nd birthday.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Montgomery contributes offensively with walks and power. He’ll strike out, but he can make a pitcher pay for a pitch left in the heart of the zone.

Ralphy Velazquez, 1B

TEAM: Guardians (Low-A Lynchburg)
AGE: 19 B-T: L-R HT: 6-3 WT: 215
SOURCE: Huntington Beach (Calif.) HS.
HOW ACQUIRED: Selected by Guardians in first round (23rd overall) of 2023 draft

BACKGROUND: A catcher at traditional power Huntington Beach (Calif.) HS, Velazquez moved to first base as a pro. It should allow his advanced hitting ability and power to advance more quickly to Cleveland.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Velazquez, much like Xavier Isaac, is a hitter who can hit for average and power without having to sell out for one at the expense of the other.

Sebastian Walcott, SS/3B

TEAM: Rangers (High-A Hickory)
AGE: 18 B-T: R-R HT: 6-. WT: 190
SOURCE: Bahamas
HOW ACQUIRED: Signed by Rangers as international free agent, Jan. 15, 2023

BACKGROUND: Walcott had just turned 18 when he arrived in Hickory. It took him a couple months to catch up to the speed of the league, but he was one of the High-A South Atlantic League’s best hitters in June.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Walcott is a rangy shortstop with the potential to develop into a plus-power slugger who can excel defensively, as well. He’s one of the youngest players in this year’s game.

Cole Young, SS/2B

TEAM: (Double-A Arkansas)
AGE: 20 B-T: L-. HT: 6-0 WT: 180
SOURCE: North Allegheny HS, Wexford, Pa.
HOW ACQUIRED: Selected by Mariners in first round (21st overall) of 2022 draft

BACKGROUND: Baseball America’s 2023 Mariners MiLB Player of the Year impresses his coaches with an extremely even-keeled approach that makes it hard to tell if he went 0-for-4 or 4-for-4.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Young is a hitter first, but he can rip balls to the gap. And if he gets on base, he’s a threat to steal a base, as well.

Outfielders

Jaison Chourio, OF

TEAM: Guardians (Low-A Lynchburg)
AGE: 19 B-T: B-R HT: 6-1 WT: 162
SOURCE: Venezuela
HOW ACQUIRED: Signed by Guardians as international free agent, Jan. 15, 2022

BACKGROUND: Chourio is the younger brother of Brewers outfielder Jackson Chourio, who during his own Futures Game appearance, predicted his brother might follow before too long.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: While they are brothers, Jaison Chourio’s game is more about contact and speed at this point. He is an advanced hitter for his age with solid defensive skills, as well.

Max Clark, OF

TEAM: Tigers (Low-A Lakeland)
AGE: 19 B-T: L-L HT: 6-0 WT: 205
SOURCE: Franklin (Ind.) Community HS
HOW ACQUIRED: Selected by Tigers in first round (third overall) of 2023 draft

BACKGROUND: Clark entered last year’s draft having with a lengthy track record as one of the best high school hitters in the country against top level national and international competition.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Clark is a speedy center fielder who projects to hit for average while growing into power. He’s an excellent athlete who also was a hard-to-cover wide receiver in high school.

Gavin Cross, OF

TEAM: Royals (Double-A Northwest Arkansas)
AGE: 23 B-T: L-L HT: 6-1 WT: 210
SOURCE: Virginia Tech
HOW ACQUIRED: Selected by Royals in first round (ninth overall) of 2022 draft

BACKGROUND: Illness left Cross struggling to keep up with High-A Midwest League pitchers in 2023. This year, he’s healthy and has responded by being a much more productive hitter in the tougher Double-A Texas League.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Cross goes to the plate with an aggressive approach looking to get a pitch he can drive. If a pitcher challenges him with fastballs, watch out.

Spencer Jones, OF

TEAM: Yankees (Double-A Somerset)
AGE: 23 B-T: L-L HT: 6-6 WT: 235
SOURCE: Vanderbilt
HOW ACQUIRED: Selected by Yankees in first round (25th overall) of 2022 draft

BACKGROUND: A pitcher when he arrived at Vanderbilt, injuries led Jones to focus on hitting. It was a wise choice, as Jones has developed into an athletic 6-foot-6 outfielder with big power potential.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Jones is a somewhat streaky hitter, but the Futures Game arrives at a time when Jones is on a hot streak.

Chandler Simpson, OF

TEAM: Rays (Double-A Montgomery)
AGE: 23 B-T: L-R HT: 5-11 WT: 170
SOURCE: Georgia Tech
HOW ACQUIRED: Selected by Rays in second round of 2022 draft

BACKGROUND: Simpson is one of the fastest players in baseball and tied for the MiLB stolen base lead in 2023. He also has his sights set on an MiLB batting title this year.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Simpson is an excellent contact hitter who knows how to take advantage of his top-of-the-scale speed. Defensively, he’s still learning the outfield, but he’s athletic enough to make highlight plays.

National League

Pitchers

Bubba Chandler, RHP

TEAM: Pirates (Double-A Altoona)

AGE: 21 B-T: B-R HT: 6-2 WT: 200
SOURCE: North Oconee HS, Bogart, Ga.
HOW ACQUIRED: Selected by Pirates in third round of 2021 draft

BACKGROUND: Chandler was a two-way player in high school who did both initially as a pro but switched to pitching only after the 2022 season. There have been a few hiccups, but he’s begun to hint at his massive upside.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Chandler enters the Futures Game on a massive roll at Double-A Altoona, where he’s overpowered hitters with his outstanding pitch mix. In a short burst, he could touch 100 mph.

Chase Dollander, RHP

TEAM: Rockies (High-A Spokane)
AGE: 22 B-T: R-R HT: 6-2 WT: 200
SOURCE: Tennessee
HOW ACQUIRED: Selected by Rockies in first round (ninth overall) of 2023 draft

BACKGROUND: Dollander was a candidate to go first overall in 2023, but a rocky junior helped him slip to No. 9, where the Rockies were happy to scoop him up.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Northwest League hitters will be happy to bid Dollander adieu. The righty has overwhelmed the opposition all season long with his combination of a mid-90s fastball and pair of nasty breaking balls.

Tink Hence, RHP

TEAM: Cardinals (Double-A Springfield)
AGE: 21 B-T: R-R HT: 6-1 WT: 195
SOURCE: Watson Chapel HS, Pine Bluff, Ark.
HOW ACQUIRED: Selected by Cardinals in second round of 2020 draft

BACKGROUND: Entering the season, the biggest question surrounding Hence was whether his lithe frame could withstand a starter’s workload. So far this year, the answer is a resounding ‘yes.’

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Hence slices and dices hitters with a combination of a mid-90s fastball and a pair of off-speed offerings equipped to get whiffs. He’s knocking on the door of Triple-A.

Rhett Lowder, RHP

TEAM: Reds (Double-A Chattanooga)
AGE: 22 B-T: R-R HT: 6-2 WT: 200
SOURCE: Wake Forest
HOW ACQUIRED: Selected by Reds in first round (seventh overall) of 2023 draft

BACKGROUND: Lowder was Cincinnati’s first-round pick in 2023 from out of the pitching pipeline that has developed at Wake Forest. He’s reached Double-A in his first pro season.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: The righthander was one of the buzziest arms during MLB’s inaugural Spring Breakout series this past March. His combination of four- and two-seam fastballs at the head of a four-pitch mix has helped him thrive.

Quinn Mathews, LHP

TEAM: Cardinals (Double-A Springfield)
AGE: 23 B-T: L-L HT: 6-. WT: 188
SOURCE: Stanford
HOW ACQUIRED: Selected by Cardinals in fourth round of 2023 draft

BACKGROUND: Mathews drew headlines in his draft season by throwing a 156-pitch complete game during Stanford’s postseason run. Undaunted, the Cardinals popped him in the fourth round.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Mathews has been a buzz saw this season, cutting through the competition at both Class A levels and Double-A on his way to his nod alongside fellow Cardinal Tink Hence in the Futures Game.

Noble Meyer, RHP

TEAM: Marlins (High-A Beloit)
AGE: 19 B-T: R-R HT: 6-5 WT: 185
SOURCE: Jesuit HS, Beaverton, Ore.
HOW ACQUIRED: Selected by Marlins in first round (10th overall) of 2023 draft

BACKGROUND: Meyer followed in the footsteps of Phillies prospect Mick Abel as a righthander from Oregon’ Jesuit HS to get selected by an NL East team in the first round.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Meyer can blow hitters away with a filthy four-pitch mix built around a fastball that averages roughly 94 mph and a slider that was one of the best breaking balls among prep arms in the 2023 draft.

Robby Snelling, LHP

TEAM: Padres (Double-A San Antonio)
AGE: 20 B-T: R-L HT: 6-3 WT: 210
SOURCE: McQueen HS, Reno, Nev.
HOW ACQUIRED: Selected by Padres in supplemental first round (39th overall) of 2022 draft

BACKGROUND: The 39th overall pick in the 2022 draft was excellent in his first pro season and earned the nod as BA’s Pitcher of the Year after ascending to Double-A.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Snelling has spent his sophomore season back at Double-A and has one of the highest floors among Padres pitching prospects.

Brandon Sproat, RHP

TEAM: Mets (Double-A Binghamton)
AGE: 23 B-T: R-R HT: 6-3 WT: 215
SOURCE: Florida
HOW ACQUIRED: Selected by Mets in second round of 2023 draft

BACKGROUND: The Mets liked Sproat’s power stuff and athleticism so much they drafted him twice. In his pro debut this season, he zoomed to Double-A and has one of the lowest ERAs in the minor leagues.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Sproat is one of the hardest-throwing starting pitchers in the minors who throws a devastating changeup as his out pitch.

Thomas White, LHP

TEAM: Marlins (High-A Beloit)
AGE: 19 B-T: L-L HT: 6-5 WT: 210
SOURCE: Phillips Academy, Andover, Mass.
HOW ACQUIRED: Selected by Marlins in supplemental first round (35th overall) of 2023 draft

BACKGROUND: The Marlins took the best available prep righthander (Noble Meyer) and lefthander (White) as part of their upside gambit at the top of the 2023 draft. So far, the move is paying dividends.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: White wowed evaluators in the Spring Breakout series and continued his rise during the regular season by harnessing the high-end stuff he showed as an amateur. In doing so, he jumped into the top spot in Miami’s system.

Catchers

Drake Baldwin, C

TEAM: Braves (Triple-A Gwinnett)
AGE: 23 B-T: L-R HT: 6-0 WT: 210
SOURCE: Missouri State
HOW ACQUIRED: Selected by Braves in third round of 2022 draft

BACKGROUND: Baldwin starred in hockey as well as baseball as a Wisconsin high schooler. His baseball prospects improved with a 19-homer breakout his junior year at Missouri State in 2022.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Baldwin continues to refine his defensive skills behind the plate, but his bat looks promising. He is a lefthanded hitter with standout power and a high walk rate that has contributed to a .374 OBP as a pro.

Thayron Liranzo, C

TEAM: Dodgers (High-A Great Lakes)
AGE: 21 B-T: B-R HT: 6-3 WT: 195
SOURCE: Dominican Republic
HOW ACQUIRED: Signed by Dodgers as international free agent, Jan. 15, 2021

BACKGROUND: The Dodgers signed Liranzo for just $30,000 in 2021 and watched him blossom into the California League home run leader with 24 bombs in 2023.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Liranzo can punish baseballs with plus raw power from both sides of the plate. Long drives are his forte, with ample strikeouts and walks the byproduct of this approach.

Ethan Salas, C

TEAM: Padres (High-A Fort Wayne)
AGE: 18 B-T: L-R HT: 6-1 WT: 185
SOURCE: Venezuela
HOW ACQUIRED: Signed by Padres as international free agent, Jan. 15, 2023

BACKGROUND: One of the best international catchers to come along in years, Salas signed with the Padres for $5.6 million in 2023. He made his pro debut for Low-A Lake Elsinore later that year, when he was still a few days shy of his 17th birthday.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Salas’ separating tool is his precociousness. Catching comes easy to him, and he has plus potential as a hitter, his performance this season notwithstanding.

Infielders

Cam Collier, 3B

TEAM: Reds (High-A Dayton)
AGE: 19 B-T: L-R HT: 6-1 WT: 210
SOURCE: Chipola (Fla.) JC
HOW ACQUIRED: Selected by Reds in first round (18th overall) of 2022 draft

BACKGROUND: The son of former big league utility infielder Lou Collier, Cam graduated from high school after his sophomore year so that he could enroll at Chipola JC and become draft eligible at age 17.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Collier is capable of changing games with one swing and is doing a better job getting to his power this season with more fly balls.

Deyvison De Los Santos, 1B/3B

TEAM: Diamondbacks (Triple-A Reno)
AGE: 21 B-T: R-R HT: 6-1 WT: 185
SOURCE: Dominican Republic
HOW ACQUIRED: Signed by D-backs as international free agent, July 2, 2019

BACKGROUND: De Los Santos reached full-season ball as an 18-year-old in 2021 and made a Double-A cameo a year later. This year, he eclipsed his career high for home runs in just half a season.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: De Los Santos can make baseballs disappear in a hurry to his pull side. Strikeouts are a part of the package, but he has curtailed that this season.

Bryce Eldridge, 1B

TEAM: Giants (High-A Eugene)
AGE: 19 B-T: L-R HT: 6-7 WT: 223
SOURCE: Madison HS, Vienna, Va.
HOW ACQUIRED: Selected by Giants in first round (16th overall) of 2023 draft

BACKGROUND: Eldridge starred as a two-way player in high school, one part 6-foot-7 power righthander and one part hulking lefthanded slugger.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: “Position player” is the path the Giants want Eldridge to pursue in pro ball, and he dropped pitching to concentrate on dropping bombs in his first full season.

Termarr Johnson, 2B

TEAM: Pirates (High-A Greensboro)
AGE: 20 B-T: L-R HT: 5-8 WT: 175
SOURCE: Mays HS, Atlanta, Ga.
HOW ACQUIRED: Selected by Pirates in first round (fourth overall) of 2022 draft

BACKGROUND: Lauded for his natural hitting ability as an amateur, Johnson has exercised patience as a pro. He drew 101 walks in 105 games in 2023, his first full season.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Johnson has adopted more of a “three true outcomes” approach in pro ball that focuses on home runs, walks and strikeouts.

Aidan Miller, SS

TEAM: Phillies (High-A Jersey Shore)
AGE: 20 B-T: R-R HT: 6-1 WT: 205
SOURCE: Mitchell HS, New Port Richey, Fla.
HOW ACQUIRED: Selected by Phillies in first round (27th overall) of 2023 draft

BACKGROUND: Miller was a Team USA standout and one of the best overall hitters in a deep 2023 high school hitter class when the Phillies drafted him at the back of the first round.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Miller has a chance to contribute across the board as a hard-hitting third baseman or possibly shortstop.

Jeral Perez, 2B

TEAM: Dodgers (Low-A Rancho Cucamonga)
AGE: 19 B-T: R-R HT: 6-0 WT: 179
SOURCE: Dominican Republic
HOW ACQUIRED: Signed by Dodgers as international free agent, Jan. 15, 2022

BACKGROUND: Perez broke out with an 11-homer season as an 18-year-old in Rookie ball in 2023. This year, the offensive fireworks continued in the California League.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Perez’s well-roundedness is his best asset. He can hit, hit for power and play every infield position, but he focuses on the keystone.

Cooper Pratt, SS

TEAM: Brewers (Low-A Carolina)
AGE: 19 B-T: R-R HT: 6-4 WT: 195
SOURCE: Magnolia Heights HS, Senatobia, Miss.
HOW ACQUIRED: Selected by Brewers in sixth round of 2023 draft

BACKGROUND: The Brewers went well over slot to sign Pratt in the sixth round last year. He emerged as one of the buzziest players in the system that summer and in fall instructional league.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Pratt is a tall shortstop who shows surprising feel to hit and to field the position. He is one of the most productive teenagers in full-season ball.

Matt Shaw, 3B/2B

TEAM: Cubs (Double-A Tennessee)
AGE: 22 B-T: R-R HT: 5-9 WT: 185
SOURCE: Maryland
HOW ACQUIRED: Selected by Cubs in first round (13th overall) of 2023 draft

BACKGROUND: Drafted 13th overall last year, Shaw is the highest-drafted player in Maryland program history. He reached Double-A in his pro debut.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: The Cubs’ big league middle infield is airtight, so Shaw has focused on playing third base this season. He has a well-rounded profile of above-average hitting ability, power and speed.

Outfielders

Owen Caissie, OF

TEAM: Cubs (Triple-A Iowa)
AGE: 21 B-T: L-R HT: 6-3 WT: 190
SOURCE: Notre Dame HS, Burlington, Ont.
HOW ACQUIRED: Traded by Padres with four other players to Cubs for RHP Yu Darvish, Dec. 29, 2020

BACKGROUND: A Canadian prep drafted by the Padres in the second round in 2020, Caissie was a key to the Yu Darvish deal after the pandemic-shortened season. This year, he is one of just six Triple-A regulars aged 21 years old or younger.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Caissie has huge lefthanded power to all fields and hits the ball as hard—up to 117 mph—as any hitter his age.

Justin Crawford, OF

TEAM: Phillies (High-A Jersey Shore)
AGE: 20 B-T: L-R HT: 6-2 WT: 188
SOURCE: Bishop Gorman HS, Las Vegas
HOW ACQUIRED: Selected by Phillies in first round (17th overall) of 2022 draft

BACKGROUND: Crawford is a speedy, lefthanded-hitting outfielder, just like his father Carl Crawford, who was a four-time all-star.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Crawford’s game centers on speed. He has hit .300 in pro ball using a contact-oriented, all-fields approach. His elite speed makes him a disruptor to opposing defenses, both on ground balls and on the basepaths.

Dylan Crews, OF

TEAM: Nationals (Triple-A Rochester)
AGE: 22 B-T: R-R HT: 5-11 WT: 200
SOURCE: Louisiana State
HOW ACQUIRED: Selected by Nationals in first round (second overall) of 2023 draft

BACKGROUND: Crews was the leading hitter for the national champion LSU Tigers in 2023. One month later, the Nationals drafted him second overall.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Crews stands out for his well-roundedness more than any one single attribute. He is a solid hitter with solid power and has a good chance to hold down center field.

Druw Jones, OF

TEAM: Diamondbacks (Low-A Visalia)
AGE: 20 B-T: R-R HT: 6-4 WT: 180
SOURCE: Wesleyan School, Peachtree Corners, Ga.
HOW ACQUIRED: Selected by D-backs in first round (second overall) of 2022 draft

BACKGROUND: Jones is a graceful center fielder, just like his father, 10-time Gold Glove winner Andruw Jones. Druw struggled with injuries in his first two pro seasons, appearing in just 29 games.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Jones is a standout athlete who can run and defend, but he is still ironing out his swing and timing as he gains experience.