Each year, MLB holds the Futures Game as just one of the many events around the main attraction of the All-Star Game. While the All-Star Game showcases the current pool of MLB talent, the Futures Game showcases the talents of baseball's brightest young future stars.
Phillies sending two exciting top prospects to MLB All-Star Futures Game
This year, the Phillies will send two Top 5 prospects to Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas: shortstop Aidan Miller (Phillies No. 2 prospect) and outfielder Justin Crawford (Phillies No. 3 prospect).
Both players, currently with the High-A Jersey Shore BlueClaws, have captured the imaginations of Phillies fans who are dreaming of future iterations of the major league lineup.
Miller, MLB Pipeline's No. 28 prospect, will be appearing in his first Futures Game. The 20-year-old recently made the jump to High-A from Single-A after running roughshod over pitching in the Florida State League to start the season. Before his promotion, he hit .275 with a .884 OPS, five home runs and 10 stolen bases in 39 games with the Clearwater Threshers.
He has had a slow start in High-A while adapting to the new league, hitting .175 with a .574 OPS in 17 games. But the talent of the Phillies' first-round pick in last year's draft is undeniable.
Crawford, MLB Pipeline's No. 56 prospect, will be making his second appearance in the Futures Game after representing the Phillies organization last year. Now in his third season in the Phillies farm system and his first full season in High-A, the 20-year-old is hitting .287 with a .748 OPS, five home runs and 24 stolen bases in 63 games with the BlueClaws.
The speedy outfielder has been working on elevating the ball this season, leading to more extra-base hits and letting him use his speed on the basepaths more often; he has logged 13 doubles and legged out three triples.
The MLB All-Star Futures Game is scheduled for the Saturday leading into the All-Star break, July 13 at 4 p.m. ET. The seven-inning game will air on MLB Network.