Discussions of hitting prospects typically involve a breakdown of tools and skills. Who has the most raw power? Who has the best feel to hit? Even with the advent of so much more data, these evaluations often provide at least a little subjectivity.
Imagine if, in one day, you could have those prospects on one field at one time, putting those tools to the test against each other. Wait no longer: On Monday, Major League Baseball announced the first-ever Futures Skills Showcase, to be held as part of All-Star Saturday on July 13 at Globe Life Field in Arlington.
The All-Star Futures Game is already the jewel event for anyone wanting to see the next generation of Major League stars. Now some of MLB’s top prospects will get to compete in a video game-like competition at the conclusion of the Futures Game that goes beyond the standard home run derby. There will be three rounds of challenges, during which players can accumulate points by executing various hitting skills. Here’s a breakdown of the challenges, along with some potential Futures Gamers who could excel in each round.
