Listen, we know it’s tough to catch up on everything happening in the baseball world each morning. There are all kinds of stories, rumors, game coverage, and Vines of dudes getting hit in the beans every day. Trying to find all of it while on your way to work or sitting at your desk just isn’t easy. It’s okay, though, we’re going to do the heavy lifting for you each morning, and find the things you need to see from within the SB Nation baseball network as well as from elsewhere. Please hold your applause until the end, or at least until after you subscribe to the newsletter.
Yoan Mocada and Dansby Swanson headline the Futures Game
Sunday’s Say Hey includes the stars of the All-Star Futures Game, Chris Sale’s failed changeup experiment, and Terry Francona’s influence on the 2016 Indians.
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
* * *
Although there’s still a full slate of MLB games left to play today, the All-Star break officially kicks off this evening at 7 p.m. ET with the All-Star Futures Game. Per league rules, a pool of 50 top prospects will be split into U.S. and World teams in a showcase designed to spotlight some of the most promising up-and-comers in professional baseball. The Futures game may be the teaser trailer for the main event -- Tuesday’s All-Star Game, featuring, among others, one Mike Trout and one Bartolo Colon -- but with 25 Futures graduates appearing in the majors since last year’s match-up, the contest should be an interesting one.
Heading the World and U.S. rosters are two top candidates: Red Sox second baseman Yoan Moncada and Braves shortstop Dansby Swanson. Moncada, ranked third overall by Baseball America and fifth overall by MLBPipeline.com, has long been considered one of the Sox’s top four prospects and garnered even more attention when he broke through to Double-A in June, batting .328/.366/.657 with five home runs and four stolen bases in just 16 games. His speed and power potential have earned some applause from scouts, but as with any raw talent stashed at the Double-A level, his skill set needs a little more polishing before he’ll be major-league ready.
Over in the U.S. camp is 2015 No. 1 draft pick Dansby Swanson, who was traded to the Braves as part of the Shelby Miller deal in December. Whether the Diamondbacks made a wise choice in trading away their top talent remains to be seen, but Swanson has settled into a comfortable routine in Double-A so far, and touts a .269/.350/.414 batting line and five home runs through his first 57 games of the year. Joining Moncada and Swanson are a slew of top-billed prospects, including three players who have already made their major league debuts: Yankees catcher Gary Sanchez, Twins right-hander J.T. Chargois, and Cubs third baseman Jeimer Candelario (scratched in light of his promotion). For those participating in the midsummer showcase, it’s not a question of whether or not they’ll land in the majors, but how soon they’ll be able to make their presence felt.
- If the Cardinals are looking for bargain-bin relievers to round out their pitching staff at the trade deadline, they need look no further than the Rockies’ Jake McGee.
- After weeks of negotiations and uncertainty, outfield prospect Brandon Marsh is an Angel.
- Ever wonder what an all-amiable cast of Mariners would look like? (Brace yourself for a bench full of adorable Munenori Kawasaki dance moves.)
- Terry Francona’s managing style has brought a breath of fresh air to the Indians this season, both on and off the field.
- Here’s a peculiar ratio worth preserving: In 2016, both Joc Pederson and Yasmani Grandal have recorded more extra-base hits than singles.
- The Tigers are throwing their hat in the ring for left-hander Rich Hill, who could bolster the rotation as they continue to hunt for a wild card spot.
- Despite a last-minute rehab appearance in Low-A, Dexter Fowler won’t be ready to take the field for Tuesday’s All-Star game.
- Chris Sale’s Great Changeup Experiment of 2016 reaped some unwanted consequences against the Braves this weekend.
- Need some distraction from the Yankees’ losing record? How about this: Five years ago, Derek Jeter logged his 3,000th major league hit.
See More:
