2026 All-Star Futures Game Preview

The All-Star Futures Game is scheduled for Sunday, July 12 at 12pm (eastern) at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia as part of MLB’s All-Star Week. From the first game in 1999 until 2018, the United States faced the World’s prospects. That format changed in 2019 where the National League’s prospects squared off against the American League’s. This game features many of baseball’s top prospects as they can showcase their talents to a national audience. This year’s game in Philadelphia has special meaning for me since it’s virtually in my backyard and we’ll have full team coverage as always sending updates from the game.

Let’s take a look at the rosters broken down by position to see which team has the advantage. The first number next to the player is his ranking in our Overall Top 100 Prospects List from earlier this year. The second number is the player’s ranking on his team’s Top 50 List from this past preseason. Rosters are subject to change as we get closer to the game depending on promotions, injuries or other factors.

Catchers
American League:
Nathan Flewelling, TB Unranked / 22
Cooper Ingle, CLE Unranked / 8
Thayron Liranzo, DET 80 / 5
Blake Mitchell, KC Unranked / 2

National League:
Alfredo Duno, CIN 68 / 2
Rainiel Rodriguez, STL 46 / 2
Ethan Salas, SDP 63 / 1

Advantage: National League
Flewelling is showing more power this season. Ingle was just promoted to the major leagues after having a great season so he may be replaced for this game. Liranzo has been struggling for the most part this season. Mitchell has solid power but has trouble with the strikeouts.

Duno was just promoted to AA after putting up great numbers this season. Rodriguez is having a spectacular season showing great tools and power. Salas is having a nice bounce-back season after two straight rough years.

Infielders:
American League:
Franklin Arias, BOS 28 / 2
Caleb Bonemer, CWS 59 / 3
Kaelen Culpepper, MIN 34 / 2
Leo De Vries, ATH 4 / 1
Ike Irish, BAL 98 / 3
George Lombard Jr. NYY 42 / 1
Xavier Neyens, HOU Unranked / 3
JoJo Parker, TOR 39 / 3

National League:
Roldy Brito, COL Unranked / 9
Charlie Condon, COL 47 / 2
Kayson Cunningham, ARI Unranked / 4
Gavin Kilen, SFG Unranked / 4
Jesus Made, MIL 1 / 1
Luis Pena, MIL 22 / 2
Eli Willits, WAS 48 / 2

Advantage: National League
Arias’s offense has shown definitely up this season as he’s raking in Double-A. Bonemer has a great power and is having a solid season. Culpepper is in the midst of a breakout season and may be called up shortly after this game. DeVries is holding his own this season, shooting to make the MLB club at some point soon. Lombard is performing well with some pop and speed to go with his defense. Neyens has massive power, but his hit-tool needs work. Parker has been on fire the last month. Irish has shown good pop this season.

Condon is finally healthy and putting up numbers that Colorado expected when they first drafted him. Cunningham has a good hit-tool. Made is probably the best hitting prospect in baseball while Pena has been dealing with health concerns this season. Willits has been all that Washington hoped for after taking him first in last year’s draft.

Outfielders:
American League:
Kevin Alvarez, HOU Unranked / 4
Theo Gillen, TB 43 / 1
Nelson Rada, LAA 66 / 2
Ralphy Velazquez, CLE 52 / 3

National League:
Ryan Clifford, NYM Unranked / 6
Josue De Paula, LAD 16 / 2
Edward Florentino, PIT 40 / 3
Josiah Hartshorn, CHC Unranked / 10
Dakota Jordan, SFG Unranked / 7
Mike Sirota, LAD 81 / 4

Advantage: National League
Alvarez is having a solid season showing off good pop and speed. Gillen is putting up phenomenal numbers across the board. Rada has been hitting well and has great speed. Velazquez is showing a much better hit-tool this season.

Clifford has great power with swing-and-miss issues. De Paula was last year’s Futures Game MVP and is having another great season. Florentino hasn’t really caught fire yet this year but is still having an average season. Hartshorn is having a great first year for Chicago. Sirota is an on-base machine.

Pitchers:
American League:
Kade Anderson, SEA 15 / 2
Jamie Arnold, ATH 91 / 3
Tyler Bremner, LAA 85 / 1
Kendry Chourio, KC Unranked / 3
Joseph Dzierwa, BAL Unranked / 16
Anthony Eyanson, BOS Unranked / 10
Carlos Lagrange, NYY Unranked / 4
Nolan Perry, TOR Unranked / Unranked
Caden Scarborough, TEX Unranked / 2
Ryan Sloan, SEA 36 / 3

National League:
Cam Caminiti, ATL 84 / 1
Liam Doyle, STL 71 / 3
Seth Hernandez, PIT 33 / 4
Kash Mayfield, SDP Unranked / 2
Mason McGwire, CHC Unranked /
Karson Milbrandt, MIA Unranked / 17
Wen-Hui Pan, PHI Unranked / 21
Miguel Sime, Jr, WAS Unranked / 26
Gage Wood, PHI Unranked / 5

Advantage: American League
Anderson has been dominant this year. Arnold has been inconsistent this year but has been much better the last few weeks. Bremner is having a great first season. Chourio is putting himself into consideration as the best pitching prospect in the minors. Eyanson has also been dominant this season. Perry is healthy this year after surgery and performed well across three levels. Lagrange has been moved to the bullpen this season. Sloan is another Seattle pitching prospect who’s doing well, establishing himself as one of the top pitching prospects in the game.

Caminiti has been more effective lately and is having a great season. Doyle has been struggling this season. Hernandez is one of the top pitching prospects even at his young age. McGwire is having a solid season. Milbrandt is another Marlins pitcher who should contribute in the majors soon. Pan has been great out of the bullpen in his first year back after surgery. Sime is having an average season but has been wild. Wood has pitched great across two levels but has some command issues.

Managers and Notable Coaches:
American League:
Larry Bowa – Manager
Juan Samuel
Milt Thompson
Billy Wagner
James Cooper
Michael Bourn
Matt Ellmyer

National League:
Shane Victorino – Manager
Kanekoa Texeira
Keoni DeRenne
Brandon League
Adam Jones
Kolton Wong
Mike Fetters

Advantage: Tie
A member of the 1980 World Series Team or a member of the 2008 World Series Team? The Gnat or the Flyin’ Hawaiian? It’s like asking a parent who their favorite child is so I’m going to be diplomatic here and call this a TIE!

MVP Prediction:
Let’s go with one of the Phillies reps here with Gage Wood. He’s been coming into his own this season after dominating at Arkansas. There have been rumblings the team may promote him sometime later this season to help in the bullpen so winning MVP could be a nice preview of things to come for Phillies fans. As for a non-homer pick, I think Theo Gillen will have a standout game during his breakout season.

Game Prediction:
Good pitching almost always shuts down good hitting, and the American League has a strong staff which could neutralize the National League’s offense. I’m going to go with American League 5, National League 3.