2019 MLB Futures Game Breakdown: The AL Pitchers
With first pitch of the annual Futures Game right around the corner, here’s a look at the young studs who will look to make an impression on the national stage. The list is replete with familiar names, but also a few folks who likely flew under many radars until now. Read on for a primer on these exciting stars of tomorrow.
RIGHT HANDED PITCHERS
Matt Manning, RHP, Detroit Tigers AA
1/28/98 Fastball:65 Curveball:60 Changeup: 50 Control: 50
BA #26 MLB #32. DET BA #2 MLB #2
RHP BA #8 MLB #10
Matt Manning was the 9th overall pick of the Detroit Tigers in 2016. He has some of the best stuff in the Tigers organization and he gives the Tigers an exciting 1-2 punch along with Casey Mize. Throughout his minor league career he has recorded a 3.13 ERA and has been even better this year posting an ERA of 2.60 despite pitching at the highest level of his career which shows how much he has improved over the last 3 years since being drafted. Manning has a plus fastball that sits in the low 90s which tops out at 95-96 mph. He also throws one of the best curveballs in the minors and is working on improving his changeup which should become a solid third pitch. In 2018 he led all Detroit Tigers farmhands in strikeouts.
Nate Pearson, RHP, Toronto Blue Jays AA
8/20/96 Fastball: 75 Slider: 55 Changeup: 50
BA #16 MLB #41 TOR BA #2 MLB #2
RHP BA #3 MLB (NR)
Nate Pearson was drafted in the first round of the 2017 MLB Draft by the Toronto Blue Jays. In his first full season in 2018 he only managed to pitch 1.2 innings as he had to miss time because of a fractured right forearm due to being hit by a line drive in May. He was however able to pitch in the Arizona Fall League and he looked good showing a fastball that touched 103-104 mph at the Fall Stars Game. This year he has been able to pitch more and he has had success at both High A and AA (3-1, 1.89 ERA, 0.78 WHIP, with 66 strikeouts in 47.2 innings pitched). His fastball is his best pitch and would be one of the fastest in all of baseball as it sits in the upper 90s and touches 100+ mph at times. He also has two secondary pitches that look like they could develop into above average or better pitches in his slider and his changeup. He is the Toronto Blue Jays top pitching prospect according to both Baseball America and mlbpipeline.
Brady Singer, RHP, Kansas City Royals AA
8/4/96 Fastball: 60 Slider: 60 Changeup: 50 Control: 55
BA #47 MLB #45. KC BA #1 MLB #1
Brady Singer was the 2018 College Baseball Player of the Year and was part of 2 Florida Gators teams that advanced to the College World Series, and were champs in 2017. He was thought of as a pitcher who could move through the minors quickly and he has not disappointed as he as already made it to AA after only 10 starts at High A in which he posted a 5-2 record with a 1.87 ERA and 1.11 WHIP. He throws two fastballs that can be considered as plus pitches in his 2-seam fastball that features good sink and a 4-seam fastball with riding life, they generally sit in the low 90s but can touch 95-96 mph at times. He also throws a plus slider and is working on improving his changeup which should develop into an above average pitch. He is the Kansas City Royals top prospect according to both Baseball America and mlbpipeline.
Grayson Rodriguez, RHP, Baltimore Orioles A-
11/16/99 Fastball: 65 Slider: 55 Curveball: 55 Control: 50
BA #60. MLB #53. BAL BA #2 MLB #1
Grayson Rodriguez was a player whose draft stock rose his senior year and he has continued to show improved success as a pro since being drafted 11th overall by the Orioles in 2018. This year he has led the Low A Delmarva Shorebirds in Wins (7) and Strikeouts (78), and as a pro through 76.1 innings he has posted an ERA of 2.00 with a 0.96 WHIP and 98 strikeouts to go along with an excellent 4.5 to 1 strikeout to walk rate. His fastball tops out at 97-98 mph and he usually sits at 92-94. He has two pitches that could develop to be plus pitches in time with most scouts preferring his slider to his curveball. He also throws a changeup that could develop into a solid fourth pitch. Grayson has a nice clean repeatable delivery that has allowed him to pound the strike zone repeatedly.
Jordan Balazovic, RHP, Minnesota Twins A+
9/17/98 Fastball: 60 Slider: 55 Changeup: 50 Control: 55
BA #88 MLB #100. MIN BA #5 MLB #5
Jordan Balazovic was a 5th Round Draft Pick of the Minnesota Twins in 2016 out of Canada. 2018 was his first time playing in a full season league and he put up solid numbers at Low A and he began 2019 back at Low A again, but this time he dominated that level needing only 4 starts before getting promoted to High A. He has put up good numbers through 10 starts at High A Fort Myers (4-3, 3.31 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, with 62 strikeouts in 49 innings pitched). Blazovic best pitch is his fastball that sits at 93-95 mph and tops out at 97. His best secondary pitch is his slider and he is working on developing his changeup which could give him a third above average pitch.
Deivi Garcia, RHP, New York Yankees AA
5/19/99 Fastball: 60 Curveball: 60 Changeup: 50 Control: 55
BA #85 MLB #NR. NYY BA #1 MLB #4
Deivi Garcia signed with the New York Yankees in 2015 out of the Dominican Republic. He is an undersized pitcher (5’9″, 163) who has big time stuff that elicits comparisons to a young Pedro Martinez. His first full season debut was last year and he made it all the way from Low A Charleston to AA Trenton. This year he has been outstanding pitching between High A and AA (4-4, 2.78 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, with 109 strikeouts in 64.2 IP, good for an impressive 15.2 K/9), even more impressive is the fact that his numbers have gotten better while pitching at AA. His plus fastball sits from 91-96 mph and it has good spin and is a deceptive pitch. His best pitch is his curveball with tons of depth. He also is working on developing a changeup that could become an above average pitch in time. Due to his size and effort in his delivery some scouts question whether or not he can be a starter long term or if he’s better suited for the bullpen. Deivi Garcia is the top prospect for the New York Yankees according to Baseball America.
Justin Dunn, RHP, Seattle Mariners AA
9/22/95 Fastball: 60 Slider: 55 Curveball: 50 Control: 50
BA #NR MLB #67. SEA BA #5 MLB #2
Justin Dunn was drafted in the first round by the New York Mets in 2016. He was traded to the Seattle Mariners as part of the deal that sent Robinson Cano and Edwin Diaz to the New York Mets. This season he has been solid while pitching at AA for the Arkansas Travelers (5-3, 3.67 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, with 96 strikeouts over 76 innings). His best pitch is his fastball that sits at 93-95 mph. He also has a chance to have two above average pitches in his slider and his curveball. He is the Seattle Mariners top pitching prospect according to mlbpipeline.
J.B. Bukauskas, RHP, Houston Astros AA
10/11/96 Fastball: 65 Slider: 65 Changeup: 55 Cutter: 50
BA #NR MLB #98. HOU BA #5 MLB #5
J.B. Bukauskas was the first round draft pick of the Houston Astros in 2017. While it is still yet to be determined whether or not he will develop into a starting pitcher or a power reliever he has plenty of pitches that could become above average or better but he will need to improve his control and command. One of his best pitches is his fastball that sits in the mid 90s and tops out at 98mph. His best secondary pitch is a wipeout slider that is a double plus pitch. He also has worked to develop a solid cutter and changeup. While his stats aren’t great (5.97 ERA, 1.64 WHIP) he has been able to put up a 10.2 K/9 rate through 63.1 innings at AA and has had better stats as a starter than a reliever.
LEFT HANDED PITCHERS
Brendan McKay, LHP, Tampa Bay Rays MLB
12/18/95 Fastball: 55 Cutter: 55 Curveball: 50 Changeup: 50 Control: 60
BA #17 MLB #23. TB BA #2 MLB #2
LHP BA #3 MLB #3
Brendan McKay was drafted with the 4th overall pick in the 2017 Draft by the Tampa Bay Rays. He was an excellent two-way player who could hit and pitch and was a star for the Louisville Cardinals. Two years ago many evaluators weren’t sure if he was a better pitcher or hitter so he was given the rare chance to do both in the minors. This year he has taken off as a pitcher posting ridiculous numbers in the upper levels of the minors (6-0, 1.18 ERA, 0.68 WHIP, with 88 strikeouts over 66.2 innings). Brendan McKay got a chance to make his first major league start on June 29th. He throws four above average pitches. His fastball sits 92-95 mph with good movement and he also throws a cutter. His best secondary pitches are his curveball and his changeup. McKay has very good control and he has struck out 212 batters and walked just 34 good for a 6.2 strikeout to walk rate. He is the Tampa Bay Rays best pitching prospect according to Baseball America and mlbpipeline.
D.L. Hall, LHP, Baltimore Orioles A+
9/19/98 Fastball: 60 Curveball: 60 Changeup: 60 Control: 55
BA #33. MLB #66. BAL BA #1 MLB #3
LHP BA #5. MLB #7
Dayton Lane “D.L.” Hall was a first round draft pick of the Baltimore Orioles in 2017. He is still refining his impressive repertoire of pitches that include an impressive 96-97 mph fastball and two other plus pitches in his curveball and his changeup. He has struck out 73 batters over 48.2 innings pitched good for a 13.5 K/9. He will need to work on improving his command as he has walked 38 batters over that span (7 BB/9). He has the stuff to be an elite strikeout pitcher someday but will need to improve his control in order to become an elite pitcher. He is the Baltimore Orioles top prospect according to Baseball America.
