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The 2021 MLB All-Star Futures Game will begin the All-Star break festivities at Coors Field on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET. The Futures Game did not take place last summer due to the on-going COVID-19 pandemic, which resulted in the minor league season being canceled.
Sunday’s minor league showcase will only be seven innings for the second consecutive edition. The format will also be the National League and the American League. Both leagues features top-tier prospects that has already played in the majors or is on the cusp of making it to the show.
2021 MLB All-Star Futures Game
Date: Sunday, July 11
Time: 3 p.m. ET
Channel: MLB Network
AL players to watch
1. Jeter Downs, Boston Red Sox - The Red Sox have an outstanding infield prospect in Jeter Downs. The 22-year-old is struggling in Triple-A with a slash line of .234/.309/.377 with 7 HR and 17 RBI. Downs had a great 2019 season that saw him make the jump from High-A to Double-AA. The 5-foot-11 infielder is the 35th-best prospect in baseball and second-best in the Red Sox system.
2. Shane Baz, Tampa Bay Rays - Baz appears to be the next prospect that could make his pro debut sooner than later for the Rays. The 22-year-old was a former first-round pick of the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2017 and was apart of the Chris Archer trade. Baz has now worked his way up through the Rays’ system and is in Triple-A Durham. The right-handed pitcher has a 1.42 ERA and 28 strikeouts in 19.0 IP (four starts). Baz is expected to make his major league debut in 2022 and fifth-best prospect in Tampa Bay’s farm system.
NL players to watch
1. Cade Cavalli, Washington Nationals - Cavalli has just been recently promoted to Double-A after a solid stint with the Wilmington to start the season. The 22-year-old is the 77th-best prospect in baseball and best prospect in the Nats’ system. The 2020 first-round draft pick had a 3-1 record and 1.77 ERA in six starts in Wilmington (High-A). Cavalli is projected to be in the majors in 2022 and would be a nice addition to the Nats’ rotation next season.
2. Mike Harris II, Atlanta Braves - Harris is the only prospect that we highlighted that isn’t on MLB’s 2021 Top 100 Prospect List. But do not sleep on him as he’s making moves in the Braves’ system. The 20-year-old outfielder is currently in High-A with the Rome Braves and is tearing the cover off the ball. The 2019 third-round selection is slashing .310/.338/.462 with 5 HRs and 38 RBI. Harris II also has 14 stolen bases in 50 games. He isn’t projected to hit the majors until 2023, but a good performance in the Futures Game can go a long way.