Futures Game

[Seth Stohs]

MLB Network announced the rosters for the Futures Game this afternoon.

 

If I read the rosters correctly, it appears that the lone Minnesota Twins representative in the game will be JT Chargois.

 

I was hoping that Stephen Gonsalves would be added and get to pitch in his hometown for that game, but at least as of right now, doesn't look like it. Maybe they'll need a replacement.

 

Interesting to note that Chih-Wei Hu was selected to the World Team. The former Twins prospect from Taiwan is now with the Rays. 

[bluechipper]

High draft pick Carson Fulmer and his 5.28 ERA made the team. I'm guessing every team has to be represented then. Don't the White Sox have anyone having a better season than that?

[70charger]

Damn. I was hoping for good news about Gonsalves too. And the whole Chih-Wei Hu thing is really starting to sting.

 

Anyway, congratulations to Chargois.

[NapoleonComplex]

I was also surprised not to see Stephen Gonsalves included. Would have like to see Jorge Polanco in the game as well. If memory serves me right, which isn't a reliable source, I don't believe he has ever played in the Futures Game. I'd like to see him receive more national attention. 

 

But hey, the Twins have the distinction of sending the oldest prospect to the Futures Game. 

[bluechipper]

Also, someone named Christian Stewart of the Tigers made the USA team as an outfielder. He's got 18 HRs, but is hitting .248 in High-A, and the Tigers have 2 representatives.

 

Not a huge deal, but I think Daniel Palka has a stronger case.

[Vanimal46]

So what are the qualifications to be selected for the Futures Game? Once you spend a certain amount of time on an MLB roster you're out of the running?

[bluechipper]

The Pirates have a Lithuanian pitcher named Dovydas Neverauskas who made the team. Now that's pretty interesting.

[d-mac]

 

Damn. I was hoping for good news about Gonsalves too. And the whole Chih-Wei Hu thing is really starting to sting.

 

Anyway, congratulations to Chargois.

 

Just to toot my own horn a bit- I've been calling this trade a bad one from day one. 

[Seth Stohs]

 

So what are the qualifications to be selected for the Futures Game? Once you spend a certain amount of time on an MLB roster you're out of the running?

 

It's about the top prospects. I'm not sure who does the selection, but I believe the Twins submit several names for consideration each year. 

 

At one point, this is probably 5 years ago, the Twins had a policy that guys drafted the previous year weren't eligible (If tha'ts still the case, that would explain Tyler Jay not being on it). I don't know if they still have that criteria.  

 

But it's about prospect status as much as stats. In fact, it has pretty much nothing to do with 2016 stats. But again, that may depend on the team.

[Seth Stohs]

 

The Pirates have a Lithuanian pitcher named Dovydas Neverauskas who made the team. Now that's pretty interesting.

 

For the world team, I'm sure there is some effort to get various countries represented.

[Mike Sixel]

As KLAW points out....it is too bad Kepler never played in it.....

[Vanimal46]

 

It's about the top prospects. I'm not sure who does the selection, but I believe the Twins submit several names for consideration each year. 

 

At one point, this is probably 5 years ago, the Twins had a policy that guys drafted the previous year weren't eligible (If tha'ts still the case, that would explain Tyler Jay not being on it). I don't know if they still have that criteria.  

 

But it's about prospect status as much as stats. In fact, it has pretty much nothing to do with 2016 stats. But again, that may depend on the team.

Thanks for the explanation. My underlying question before was why Chargois and not Berrios, Jay, Gonsalves, etc? That makes sense if they submit several names, and their policy of recent draftees are not eligible. 

[ashbury]

Just to toot my own horn a bit- I've been calling this trade a bad one from day one. 

Get in line.

[FormerMinnasotan]

For me what is even more disappointing is that Felix Jorge was left off the World roster. I mean his miniscule 1.58 ERA and 7-3 mark should have made him a shoo-in for sure.

As for Jose Berrios not making the world team, I just have to wonder if the Twins don't want him to pitch the game because the are planning on promoting him back to the big league club soon.

[Seth Stohs]

 

Thanks for the explanation. My underlying question before was why Chargois and not Berrios, Jay, Gonsalves, etc? That makes sense if they submit several names, and their policy of recent draftees are not eligible. 

 

Berrios has also pitched in and started the last two Futures Game. I have no problem with him not going. I have no problem with Jay not going yet. I just think the Twins should have more than two... but i'm fairly biased.

[Seth Stohs]

 

Just to toot my own horn a bit- I've been calling this trade a bad one from day one. 

 

Everyone hated it initially, but it couldn't have turned out better for the Twins in 2015.

 

Unfortunately, Jepsen's been a bust in 2016... but for 2015, it was what was needed and almost helped them get back to the playoffs. I can't complain too much about that trade at this point. We knew Hu might be a potential big league starter...

[TRex]

Just to toot my own horn a bit- I've been calling this trade a bad one from day one. 

I think it is a little premature to toot your own horn over Chih Wei Hu's AA statistics.

 

It's not like he is Lucas Giolito with 2 plus plus pitches, including an overpowering fastball. Hu is  a good prospect, and I would love to have him back, but the truth is that, as a palmball artist with 'only' above-average velocity and good control, he is a very unique prospect who will have to prove his worth at each level. I think his situation is very similar to that faced by Adam Brett Walker and Daniel Palka, and I don't think Palka's AA success should drive anyone to toot their own horn over that trade yet either (yes, I know how good Hermann is doing in AZ, but just play along).

 

 

 

 

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

Also, someone named Christian Stewart of the Tigers made the USA team as an outfielder. He's got 18 HRs, but is hitting .248 in High-A, and the Tigers have 2 representatives.

 

Not a huge deal, but I think Daniel Palka has a stronger case.

18 HR in the FSL is huge -- per Fangraphs, Stewart has a 177 wRC+ this year.  Palka is at 157.

 

Add in the fact that Stewart is over 2 years younger than Palka, and has a notably higher walk rate and a lower K rate -- it's easy to see why Stewart is considered a prospect for the Futures Game, and Palka is not.

[Otto von Ballpark]

As for Chargois -- why are the Twins nominating a guy for the Futures Game, who should be in MLB instead?  They did it with Trevor May a couple years ago too, when they were starting Yohan Pino in a lost season... and now in all likelihood, leaving Chargois down for this "honor" in a desperate attempt to convince another team to pay Jepsen's salary for the last month or two of the season...

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

Does seem odd that an age 25 guy is in this sort of thing, regardless of injury time lost