Cobb Reporter

Forty-nine of MLB’s top prospects will compete at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, on Saturday in the All-Star Futures Game. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the contest and will feature the first-ever Futures Skills Showcase, a three-challenge event testing participants’ precision and power.

The game will be broadcast live at 4 p.m. ET on MLB Network, MLB.TV, MLB.com, and the MLB App. Melanie Newman will provide play-by-play commentary with Mark DeRosa and Jonathan Mayo serving as analysts. Sande Charles will handle sideline reporting duties.

The game has shifted from a USA vs. World format to an American League vs. National League format for the fourth consecutive year and will last seven innings. The bottom of the seventh inning will be played regardless of the score. If tied after seven innings, an eighth inning will be played; if still tied, the game ends in a tie.

The ABS (Automatic Balls and Strikes) Challenge System will be used again this year. Each team gets three challenges and retains their challenge if correct. Players may re-enter the game if needed due to injury.

In addition to the 49 participants in the game itself, four players have been selected to compete solely in the Futures Skills Showcase: Roman Anthony (Red Sox), Moises Ballesteros (Cubs), Brady House (Nationals), and Tre’ Morgan (Rays). These players are inactive for the contest but could become eligible to play if replacements are necessary due to injuries or Major League promotions.

Top prospects featured include Nationals outfielder James Wood (No. 2) and Twins shortstop Brooks Lee (No. 13), who have since been promoted to MLB. The NL roster includes 20 Top 100 prospects while the AL has 15.

The game also features 24 first-round picks from various drafts, including Crews who was selected second overall in 2023 alongside Druw Jones (MLB No. 79). On the mound, Emiliano Teodo (TEX No. 14) and Brandon Sproat (MLB No. 97) each have a 1.71 ERA entering the contest.

Notable prospects expected to take part include Dylan Crews (Triple-A Rochester, Nationals), Ethan Salas (High-A Fort Wayne, Padres), Marcelo Mayer (Double-A Portland, Red Sox), Max Clark (Single-A Lakeland, Tigers), Samuel Basallo (Double-A Bowie, Orioles), Roman Anthony (Double-A Portland, Red Sox), Colson Montgomery (Triple-A Charlotte, White Sox), Noah Schultz (Double-A Birmingham, White Sox), Rhett Lowder (Double-A Chattanooga, Reds), and Cole Young (Double-A Arkansas, Mariners).

Adrian Beltré serves as skipper for the AL team with support from Elvis Andrus, Francisco Cordero, Nelson Cruz among others. Michael Young helms the NL team with assistance from Gabe Alvarez and Ian Kinsler among others.

After the Futures Game concludes eight prospects will compete in a three-challenge skills competition shown on tape delay at 10 a.m. ET on Sunday on MLB Network and other platforms.

AL participants include Samuel Basallo(C-Orioles), Roman Anthony(OF-Red Sox), Sebastian Walcott(SS-Rangers) & Tre’ Morgan(1B-Rays). NL participants include Brady House(3B-Nationals), Moises Ballesteros(C-Cubs), Termarr Johnson(2B/SS-Pirates) & Cam Collier(3B-Reds).

Historically notable Futures Game alumni include Miguel Cabrera ('01-'02), Zack Greinke ('03), Joe Mauer ('03'), Justin Verlander ('05'), Joey Votto ('06-'07'), Clayton Kershaw ('07'), Mike Trout ('10-'11'), Bryce Harper ('11'), Mookie Betts ('14'), Aaron Judge ('15'), Ronald Acuña Jr.(‘17') Bobby Witt Jr.(‘21') Elly De La Cruz (‘22') Jackson Chourio (‘22-‘23').

Several alumni from MLB Develops programs like Breakthrough Series & DREAM Series are attending this year's event including Cam Collier & Justin Crawford among others.