The Futures Game will be held Saturday at T-Mobile Park in Seattle, and I can barely wait. Executives and key evaluators from all 30 MLB teams will be closely watching the young talent this weekend, and so will I, from behind the batting cage pregame and from inside the American League dugout during the game.
I love the Futures Game because I get to evaluate and compare so many of the sport’s top hitting prospects against each other — in batting practice and in the game. It’s an opportunity to scrutinize their swings but also to talk with them and learn more about their makeup. It’s so much fun to spend time with these young stars before they reach The Show.
The game will feature a National League versus American League format for the fourth straight year. Former Mariners Harold Reynolds and Raúl Ibañez will manage the AL and NL teams, respectively, and their coaching staffs are filled with ex-Seattle players.
Here are my thoughts on the top 15 hitters I’m most excited to see in Seattle.
Jim Bowden’s scouting grades are based on the 20-80 scale, in which 20-30 is well below average, 40 is below average, 50 is average, 60 is above average and 70-80 is well above average. All statistics are for the 2023 season unless otherwise noted.
1. Jackson Holliday, SS, Orioles
Age: 19
B: L T: R
HT: 6-0 WT: 185
Stats (Low A, High A): .328/.464/.520 slash line
2B: 16 3B: 6 HR: 7 RBI: 50 SB: 20
Scouting grades: HIT: 70 PWR: 55 RUN: 65 ARM: 55 FLD: 55
Jackson Holliday is the son of Matt Holliday, a seven-time All-Star who won four Silver Slugger awards and finished in the top 25 in the NL MVP voting eight times, but the 19-year-old actually has more upside than his famous father because he’s a much better defender and has more speed. He was the No. 1 pick in the 2022 MLB Draft and has quickly become the best overall prospect in the game who is not on a major-league roster. He’s an on-base machine who can beat you with his glove, arm, bat, power and base running.
GO DEEPER
Law: Jackson Holliday might be best prospect in minors — but it’s close with Jackson Chourio
2. Jackson Chourio, OF, Brewers
Age: 19
B: R T: R
HT: 5-11 WT: 165
Stats (Double A): .247/.303/.396 slash line
2B: 13 3B: 0 HR: 10 RBI: 48 SB: 23
Scouting grades: HIT: 65 PWR: 60 RUN: 70 ARM: 45 FLD: 60
Chourio is a line-drive machine who has ridiculous exit velocity, electric bat speed and special barrel awareness. He has plus power and plus-plus speed (23 steals in 26 attempts). He’s an excellent base runner with elite instincts and timing. I love his power/speed combination.
GO DEEPER
The Chourio Show: The eye-popping exploits of Brewers phenom Jackson Chourio
3. James Wood, OF, Nationals
Age: 20
B: L T: R
HT: 6-6 WT: 240
Stats (High A, Double A): .267/.366/.530 slash line
2B: 16 3B: 6 HR: 14 RBI: 57 SB: 13
Scouting grades: HIT: 55: PWR: 65 RUN: 60 ARM: 60 FLD: 55
I am amazed by how well Wood covers the strike zone with his massive 6-foot-6 frame. He has tremendous raw power and in-game power, but what really separates him from other power prospects is the well-above-average speed he generates with his graceful long strides.
4. Jordan Lawlar, SS, Diamondbacks
Jordan Lawlar (Rick Scuteri / USA Today)
Age: 20
B: R T: R
HT: 6-1 WT: 190
Stats (Double A): .245/.346/.462 slash line
2B: 13 3B: 3 HR: 12 RBI: 35 SB: 26
Scouting grades: HIT: 60 PWR: 55 RUN: 60 ARM: 55 FLD: 55
Lawlar, my favorite prospect in the 2021 draft, has lived up to my expectations, already reaching Double A at age 20. He’s a complete player with special barrel awareness and loud sweet-spot contact. At shortstop, he has plus range to both sides and a strong arm. He’s a plus runner and has one of the highest baseball IQs among the prospects who will play in this Futures Game.
GO DEEPER
Meet Jordan Lawlar, Arizona’s ‘Jeter-like’ shortstop prospect, and the single mom who raised him
5. Heston Kjerstad, OF, Orioles
Age: 24
B: L T: R
HT: 6-3 WT: 205
Stats (Double A, Triple A): .314/.393/.588 slash line
2B: 17 3B: 5 HR: 16 RBI: 35 SB: 4
Scouting grades: HIT: 55 PWR: 60 RUN: 45 ARM: 55 FLD: 50
Kjerstad looks major-league-ready but is still in the minors because the Orioles have a playoff-caliber outfield with Anthony Santander, Cedric Mullins and All-Star Austin Hays, plus outfielder Colton Cowser, who made his big-league debut this week, is ahead of him on the organizational depth chart. It will likely take injuries or trades for Kjerstad to get his major-league opportunity, but he has the bat and power to do damage now.
GO DEEPER
Catching up: Orioles OF prospect and No. 2 pick Heston Kjerstad is ready for Triple A
6. Marcelo Mayer, SS, Red Sox
Age: 20
B: L T: R
HT: 6-2 WT: 188
Stats (High A, Double A): .249/.323/.474 slash line
2B: 16 3B: 1 HR: 13 RBI: 52 SB: 9
Scouting grades: HIT: 55 PWR: 55 RUN: 45 ARM: 60 FLD: 60
Mayer has strong bat-to-ball skills and plus bat speed. He can hit high velocity in all areas of the strike zone, and he consistently makes sweet-spot contact. He uses the entire field and has above-average raw power with impressive backspin. He has soft hands and quick feet at shortstop with range to both sides. His instincts and baseball IQ are special.
GO DEEPER
After blistering month of May, top Red Sox prospect Marcelo Mayer promoted to Double A
7. Junior Caminero, 3B, Rays
Age: 20
B: R T: R
HT: 6-1 WT: 157
Stats (High A, Double A): .333/.392/.604 slash line
2B: 13 3B: 4 HR: 16 RBI: 52 SB: 3
Scouting grades: HIT: 60 PWR: 60 RUN: 45 ARM: 50 FLD: 50
Watch out, here comes another Rays prospect who is going to set off a lot of fireworks with his bat and power whenever he reaches the majors. He has raced up prospect boards and now is considered a top-15 prospect in the sport thanks to lightning bat speed and thunderous power. His best defensive position is third base but he can play all over the infield. His sweet-spot contact is deafening. He’s raising eyebrows across baseball right now when he steps up to the dish. Special bat and power.
8. Jackson Merrill, SS, Padres
Age: 20
B: L T: R
HT: 6-3 WT: 195
Stats (High A): .276/.315/.444 slash line
2B: 12 3B: 2 HR: 10 RBI: 33 SB: 10
Scouting grades: HIT: 55 PWR: 55 RUN: 50 ARM: 60 FLD: 55
It’s impressive how well Merrill uses the whole field and it appears his power is just starting to arrive. He has a tall frame for a shortstop but is still a plus defender with an average, accurate arm.
9. Noelvi Marte, SS/3B, Reds
Noelvi Marte (Sam Greene / USA Today)
Age: 21
B: R T: R
HT: 6-0 WT: 216
Stats (Rookie, Double A, Triple A): .275/.346/.446 slash line
2B: 11 3B: 3 HR: 8 RBI: 26 SB: 13
Scouting grades: HIT: 55 PWR: 60 RUN: 55 ARM: 55 FLD: 50
Marte was the headliner of the Reds’ return in the Luis Castillo trade with Seattle last year, and although they’re not sure where he’ll end up playing, they love his bat and skill set. With Matt McLain at shortstop and Elly De La Cruz at third base, it will be interesting to see where Marte plays and/or if the Reds consider moving him in a reverse Luis Castillo-type trade at this year’s deadline. Although there’s some uncertainty about Marte’s future, one thing is clear: He’s the real deal.
GO DEEPER
Bowden: If Reds take advantage of trade deadline, they could shock the world in October
GO DEEPER
A conversation with Reds minors boss Shawn Pender at the minor league halfway mark
10. Endy Rodríguez, C, Pirates
Age: 23
B: B T: R
HT: 6-0 WT: 200
Stats (Triple A): .254/.338/.388 slash line
2B: 14 3B: 3 HR: 5 RBI: 33 SB: 4
Scouting grades: HIT: 55 PWR: 55 RUN: 45 ARM: 55 FLD: 50
Rodríguez had a breakout season last year, slashing .323/.407/.590 with 39 doubles, 25 home runs and 95 RBIs across three minor-league levels, including a late stint at Triple A. He’s been with Triple-A Indianapolis this entire season and has gotten off to a relatively slow start offensively. However, I expect him to have a much better second half of the season.
11. Brady House, SS/3B, Nationals
Age: 20
B: R T: R
HT: 6-4 WT: 215
Stats (Low A, High A): .307/.373/.524 slash line
2B: 12 3B: 1 HR: 9 RBI: 34 SB: 8
Scouting grades: HIT: 55 PWR: 60 RUN: 50 ARM: 60 FLD: 50
Sidelined with a back injury after mid-June last year, House is now healthy and it shows as he’s hitting for average and power. The Nationals made a smart decision to move him from shortstop to full-time third base, which should be his long-term position. He’s doing much better at handling high velocity on the inside part of the plate. He has huge power in his bat and boasts a powerful arm as well.
12. Harry Ford, C, Mariners
Age: 20
B: R T: R
HT: 5-10 WT: 200
Stats (High A): .246/.398/.397 slash line
2B: 11 3B: 3 HR: 8 RBI: 40 SB: 14
Scouting grades: HIT: 50 PWR: 55 RUN: 60 ARM: 60 FLD: 55
The Mariners front office considers Ford their best prospect and loves the way he can work a count and draw walks while hitting for power and stealing bases. He has tremendous pitch recognition and makes consistent sweet-spot contact. He’s a catcher, but the type of player who also could be utilized at several other positions. He has a strong arm but needs to continue to develop his framing skills.
13. Justin Crawford, OF, Phillies
Justin Crawford (Mike Janes / Four Seam Images / Associated Press)
Age: 19
B: L T: R
HT: 6-1 WT: 175
Stats (Low A): .344/.390/.464 slash line
2B: 10 3B: 6 HR: 1 RBI: 37 SB: 35
Scouting grades: HIT: 60 PWR: 35 RUN: 75 ARM: 55 FLD: 65
Crawford can flat-out fly and he’s racking up stolen bases (35 in 39 attempts this season). He’s a strong defender in center field with ridiculous range in all directions thanks to his blazing speed. He’s an on-base machine who has the potential to one day lead the league in infield hits. Crawford, the son of four-time All-Star Carl Crawford, is an exciting athlete who has a chance to develop into an elite table setter.
14. Justyn-Henry Malloy, OF, Tigers
Age: 23
B: R T: R
HT: 6-1 WT: 212
Stats (Triple A): .269/.396/.456 slash line
2B: 11 3B: 1 HR: 14 RBI: 52 SB: 3
Scouting grades: HIT: 55 PWR: 55 RUN: 40 ARM: 50 FLD: 45
Malloy was the prospect headliner for the Tigers in the trade that sent reliever Joe Jiménez to Atlanta in the offseason. Tigers president of baseball operations Scott Harris absolutely loved Malloy’s bat because of his elite pitch recognition and above-average hit and power tools. He has not disappointed in his first season in the organization, totaling nearly a .400 OBP with 14 homers for Triple-A Toledo.
15. Jonatan Clase, OF, Mariners
Age: 21
B: B T: R
HT: 5-9 WT: 150
Stats (High A, Double A): .256/.375/.516 slash line
2B: 20 3B: 3 HR: 16 RBI: 50 SB: 45
Scouting grades: HIT: 55 PWR: 50 RUN: 70 ARM: 45 FLD: 50
Clase is another speedster who wreaks havoc on the basepaths (45 steals in 56 attempts). He also has surprising power for his small frame. He doesn’t get great jumps or angles in the outfield but tries to make up for it with his speed. The key for him will be hitting the breaking ball better.
(Top photo of Jackson Holliday: Tony Farlow / Four Seam Images via Associated Press)
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