Scouting notes on the Futures Game standouts and under-performers

New York Times

20 hours ago

I'm going to write this until MLB finally sees the error of its ways or I die in the process of trying to explain it to them, whichever comes first: The Futures Game should be nine innings again.
Its current seven-inning format turns it into a Little League event, no offense to Little Leaguers, and detracts from its purpose of promoting the game's rising stars, many of whom will be in the majors inside of a year of playing in this event. Several top prospects got a single plate appearance, or faced one better. Major League Baseball shot itself in the foot the moment they decided to make this seven innings and cede time to the Celebrity Softball Game, which, sorry, I do not and will never care about. I could be playing in the game and I wouldn't care about it.
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Anyway, the 2025 Futures Game was a remarkably well-played affair. There were no defensive gaffes, only one pitcher couldn't find the plate, and we had enough offense to make it interesting (as opposed to years when pitchers dominate because they're all amped up since they're throwing maybe 10-15 pitches and can air it out).
The MVP of the game was Dodgers prospect Josue De Paula, because he hit the home run, getting a left-on-left slider from White Sox prospect Noah Schultz and tagging it at 108.5 mph, the hardest-hit ball of the day, out to right-center. Hit a homer, get a trophy.
The flip side of all of this is that there weren't many standouts at all; everyone played well, no one played that poorly. Here are some of the players who impressed and a few who underwhelmed (scouting grades are on the traditional 20-80 scouting scale):
• Mets right-hander Jonah Tong has an ugly delivery, really — it's straight over the top and he comes across his body — but my word what comes out of his arm is good: 95-97 with big ride and above-average extension, a plus curveball at 78-80 with real depth (boosted by the slot), and a solid changeup. He seems to get to his glove side better than I'd expect given the slot and landing spot.
• Mariners right-hander — hang on a second — Jurrangelo Cijntje was 96-98 with a plus slider and good feel for a changeup. He did face one batter throwing left-handed, with his fastball at 93 and slider at 79, but the difference in delivery and quality of stuff is dramatic. Rather than continuing to switch-pitch, I really think he should just throw right-handed at this point. He's at least a No. 2 starter as a right-handed pitcher. The switch-pitching thing is fun until it gets in the way of him becoming a star from the right side.
• Cardinals shortstop JJ Wetherholt played the whole game, first as the DH and then as a second baseman. He had two of the hardest-hit balls of the day, a double to left-center on a slider from a lefty and a lineout to center on 95 middle-away. I'm not surprised — he can hit, always has when healthy — but it's good to see him do it against premium stuff.
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• Cubs outfielder Owen Caissie, who may find himself traded before the month is out, was on base three times, with a pair of walks — one of which came after he was called out on strikes, challenged the call, and walked to first base because he was so confident he was correct — and a double the other way on a curveball that stayed up.
• Tigers shortstop Kevin McGonigle had the most impressive 0-for-2 day, as he squared up a pair of pitches for a flyout to deep right-center and another to left field.
• Diamondbacks center fielder Slade Caldwell struck out looking in his only at-bat, but he had the defensive play of the day with a diving catch in center. Also, I can confirm that he's 5-foot-7 after shaking his hand.
• Tampa Bay picked up right-hander Brody Hopkins from Seattle in the Randy Arozarena trade last year. At the Futures Game, Hopkins was 98-99 with an above-average slider at 86-89 and average or better cutter at 92-93. He has a long arm swing and I don't think he repeats it that well, but it's rotation-ready stuff if he just throws enough strikes with it all.
• Atlanta right-hander JR Ritchie started for the NL squad and sat at 97 with an above-average curveball at 82-85, above-average changeup at 77, and a promising slider at 83-84. There might not be a true plus pitch here, so the ceiling may be more like a strong No. 3 starter. He throws strikes and has the pitch mix to be a big-league starter of some sort, and perhaps there's more progress to come as he matures and gets further from his 2023 Tommy John surgery.
• Tigers outfielder Max Clark walked and stole second off the pitcher (Ritchie) in the first, then beat out an infield single with an 80 run time (3.89). I saw him and McGonigle on Thursday at Harrisburg as well, and I don't think there should be any concerns about Clark's speed or defense in center. I still think he's going to be a star once the power comes.
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• Yankees shortstop George Lombard, Jr. came close to making the play of the game, ranging far to his right to stop a grounder and nearly throwing the runner out from deep in the hole. He walked and smoked a double to left field on a 94-mph fastball before lining out in his last PA.
• Hopkins and Angels right-hander George Klassen had the fastest pitches of the day, both hitting 99; Klassen technically came out on top at 99.2 and every pitch he threw was in the 98.7-99.2 range. With that and a short but sharp slider at 89-92, Klassen could probably pitch in the Angels' bullpen tomorrow. I'm sorry for giving them any ideas here.
• There were a couple of players who did underwhelm in the game. Marlins lefty Thomas White returned to the Futures Game, and for the second year in a row he had trouble throwing strikes. He was 95-98 with a slider at 80-84, premium stuff, but half his pitches were called balls and they were bad misses at that.
• Schultz gave up the homer to De Paula, and despite arm strength, Schultz's stuff played way down on Saturday. He was 94-97 with a 'sinker' that didn't sink, and the slider at 78-81 wasn't that sharp. He has a low three-quarters arm slot that should give him some deception; the NL hitters he faced were not deceived.
• Rockies outfielder Charlie Condon was 0 for 3 and still didn't look very comfortable at all against sliders, the pitch that caused him so much trouble in his pro debut last year.
• Mariners catcher Harry Ford nearly decapitated his pitcher on a throw to second, which certainly isn't going to reduce concerns that he can't stay behind the plate.
• Finally, Pirates shortstop Konnor Griffin showed plus-plus speed twice on groundballs, but left the game after Astros reliever Alimber Santa hit him on the wrist or hand. Early word is he's fine, but I was just imagining the Pirates saying they'd never send another prospect to the Futures Game if Griffin had broken a bone there.
(Photo of De Paula: Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images)