With the 2019 All-Star Week festivities officially getting underway, one of the most intriguing events outside of the game itself is happening tonight – the Futures Game. It’s an exhibition where baseball’s top prospects take on each other in a new American League vs. National League format. After being well represented these past few years, the White Sox will have two of their best competing on a national stage.
Nick Madrigal and Luis Robert have each been named to the American League team, managed by none other than Jim Thome. As made official this morning, the two will be hitting back-to-back in the starting lineup and playing their normal positions.
MLB Pipeline/Twitter
Luis Robert has been the talk of the Sox lately, especially after Rick Hahn confirmed yesterday that he would be promoted to Triple-A Charlotte following tonight’s game. The Major League’s fifth ranked prospect spent just 19 games at High-A Winston-Salem before playing the majority of this season with Double-A Birmingham. Between the two teams, he’s slashed .349/.401/.618 with 16 home runs, 21 doubles, and 53 RBIs. He’s also got an OPS of 1.019 to go along with 29 stolen bases. Flat out impressive.
Meanwhile in Cleveland, Luis Robert takes BP as Jim Thome looks on. ? pic.twitter.com/BJ3bVWFKp4
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) July 7, 2019
As for Nick Madrigal, he’s also been tearing the cover off the ball so far. The team’s 4th ranked prospect has split time between Winston-Salem (49 games) and Birmingham (25 games). Since joining the Barons, Madrigal’s slashed .392/.454/.485 with 5 doubles, 2 triples, 11 RBI, and a .938 OPS. It wouldn’t be shocking to see him get a call to Triple-A at some point this season either.
We think the AL team in the Future’s Game will enjoy having this guy ?
Nick Madrigal gives the Barons their first lead of the day, with a 2-R triple to take a 4-2 lead in the T10!
It’s Madrigal’s second triple with Birmingham and extends his hitting streak to 8⃣ games! pic.twitter.com/Jo3EL77VUB
— Birmingham Barons (@BhamBarons) July 1, 2019
Tonight is for sure going to be a must-watch for all fans. If I had to make a prediction for how things will go, I’d say Madrigal doubles to get on base before La Pantera works his magic to drive him in. Regardless, it will be great to see these guys getting the recognition they deserve in Cleveland.
If you’d like to watch the game, it will be televised on MLB Network starting at 7:00 PM ET/6:00 PM CT. There are also streaming options available on MLB.com.
Be sure to give us a follow on social media @SoxOn35th for additional updates!
Featured Photo: Birmingham Barons/Twitter
