Home Runs And Great Pitching Highlight Sirius/XM 2022 All-Star Futures Game

Some of the best minor league players in professional baseball were on display at the Sirius/XM All-Star Futures Game, held Saturday, July 16 at Dodgers Stadium.

The American League Future Stars defeated the National League 6-4 in the abbreviated, seven-inning game.

The American League collected eight hits, the National league five. But three of the American League hits left the park.

The American League won the game behind home runs from New York Yankees outfielder Jason Dominguez, Minnesota Twins outfielder Matt Wallner and Oakland Athletics catcher Shea Langeliers.

Dustin Harris of the Texas Rangers, Yainer Diaz of the Houston Astros, and Zac Veen of the Colorado Rockies organizations each had two hits in the game.

Impressive Performances:

The game was a showcase of highlight reel performances.

On the mound, this old scout was impressed by the amazing maturity and obvious skill of the young pitchers that consistently threw in the high 90s with command and control. Most of them kept hitters off-balance with wicked breaking balls and changeups to compliment their fastballs. They looked like seasoned veterans on the mound.

National League pitchers struck out 12, while the American league pitching staff struck out five National League hitters.

Perhaps the most impressive pitcher was Seattle Mariners right-hander Emerson Hancock, who struck out the three hitters he faced on 17 pitches, 11 of them for strikes. Hancock threw his two-seam sinking fastball at 96 miles per hour, and then bent the knees of the hitters with an 86 miles per hour slider. It was an impressive performance.

At the plate, Colorado Rockies outfield prospect Zac Veen’s two hits showed off his outstanding bat control and sweet, sweet swing. Going with the pitch, the left-handed hitting Veen took his two singles to the opposite field. After his second hit, Veen stole second base, and then promptly stole third.

Shea Langeliers Named Most Valuable Player

The Larry Doby Most Valuable Player Award was won by Oakland Athletics catching prospect, Shea Langeliers.

Langeliers came to the Athletics in the huge trade that sent first baseman Matt Olson to the Atlanta Braves for Langeliers, outfielder Cristian Pache, and right-handed pitchers Ryan Cusick and Joey Estes.

The right-handed hitting Langeliers, 6-0, 205, not only homered, but he threw out Arizona Diamondbacks prospect outfielder Corbin Carroll trying to steal third base. Langeliers put a perfect throw right on the third base bag to nail Carroll.

Conclusions:

Not every great minor league player currently in development played in the 2022 Futures Game. However, those that did participate are representative of the outstanding skills and maturity of the next generation of baseball stars on the big league horizon.

The 2022 Futures Game provided a glimpse of the exciting players that are sharpening their skills, gaining experience, learning the nuances of their craft, and waiting for their chance to enjoy life at the highest level of the game.