Futures Game rosters announced

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Its Team USA v Team World again. The Phillies representatives, per Baseball America

LOU MARSON C
Double-A Reading/Phillies
After a slow start to his pro career offensively, Marson has improved markedly the last two seasons, showing improved power and a better ability to make consistent contact.

JASON DONALD SS
Double-A Reading/Phillies
Donald’s production as a pro has mirrored his college career at Arizona, only now he’s using wood bats. His steady approach and defensive versatility stand out.

GREG GOLSON OF
Double-A Reading/Phillies
Packed with offensive potential, Golson was having his best minor league season before a sprained left wrist sidelined him in June.

CARLOS CARRASCO RHP
Double-A Reading/Phillies
The Phillies’ top prospect since Cole Hamels graduated to the majors, Carrasco has flashed an improved curveball to complement his fastball and changeup this season

Golson likely won’t play, and its not a rule that he’ll be replaced by another Phillie.

15 thoughts on “Futures Game rosters announced”

  1. Um, no matter what you consider I’d say it’s nice to see so many of our guys playing on the big stage. I hope I get to watch the game!

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  3. That was more of a comment towards the amount of free time I’ve had since I went back to school but thanks for the information.

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  4. heard on phillies radio broadcast of the game that Bastardo was also invited but can’t go because he is on the DL.

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  5. here is a good article that explains the selection process.

    http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/futures-game/2008/266401.html

    this year is a bit different because they are also looking for players that will play on team usa. as such, while it is a great honor, it looks like this year is a bit different due to team usa’s impact

    “The only downside is the event won’t be quite the same prospect showcase as in past years because USA Baseball is trying to build a winning team from available players and is not as concerned with sending the absolute best prospects for one Sunday in July.”

    – to explain PP’s point that some are missing: “It looks like there is still a high level of prospects in the game, and if including Team USA costs us one or two elite prospects, I don’t think it will be a noticeable difference because there are always different factors that can keep a Josh Beckett or whoever off the roster, and plus now we get potentially better overall representatives because of lifting the limit of two per team.”

    – on why usa baseball won’t get every elite prospects:

    USA Baseball looks at players who are on organizations’ 40-man rosters but not yet in the big leagues, or advanced prospects who have not yet been added to the 40-man.

    “If you’re young and you’re good and you’re in Double-A or Triple-A, the major league team doesn’t want to send you because you’re a ball off the leg or whatever away from being in the big leagues,” said Bob Watson, MLB’s vice president of on-field operations and one of the people helping to select the Olympic team this year.

    – on how they pick the rosters:
    “Basically the way we pick this team is we’ll go through and pick out the top number guys, both pitching and hitting,” Johnson said. “Then we’ll bring the scouts in and ask them who we like. If they start naming some of these guys, then you know that they like their all-around ability, their tools, their makeup, everything. That’s how you narrow it down. The toughest part is just getting permission from clubs.”

    there are other good nuggets in there including some opinions on use of stats/performance vs. tools.

    all things considered, it looks like i was overly excited when i claimed “it is the highest honor in the game.” that being said, it is certainly an honor to be named to this team and to be in consideration to play for our country.

    p.s. the lax rules only has to do with team usa. not the national team, so bastardo being picked was more significant than jason donald for instance.

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  7. The Team USA angle certainly explains Donald, and maybe even Marson and Golson. All are arguably not among the top 25 U.S. players in the minor leagues (though I think a few here could make a healthy argument for Marson). But more importantly they are legitimate prospects having good years that are currently playing AA ball. Also, they are not likely to be called up this year as the Phillies have options in front of them. IMO Golson might get a September pinch running promotion, but Marson is behind Jaramillo and Donald would really require a Rollins/Utley injury to get called up. Thus all of these players are likely to be eligible for the Olympic team. There are not as many low A prospects on the team this year because those players would make lesser Olympic players (looking at this year only).

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  8. I think Marson and Anderson are fine, but where is Matt Wieters? Is there a reason the Orioles aren’t sending him? Are they planning on calling him up sometime in late August/September and they don’t want him to be away for Team USA? I think it should have been Wieters, Marson and Anderson, as I think they are the 3 best catching prospects in the minors. Teagarden is probably 4 for me, Jaso 5. Clement is in the majors now, so he’s not really a factor.

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  9. andy b – I think we would have seen Donald over Harman when Rollins was on the DL if he hadn’t been hurt.

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  11. I agree that Donald would have been the logical choice instead of Harman, especially because pinch hitting is one of the jobs in that backup infield role.

    Getting almost major league ready players (i.e. AA players) was definitely a factor here, especially with Donald. Using the Phillies as examples, Cardenas is clearly a better prospect but is farther away from being major league or Olympics ready today.

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  12. Harman is on the 40 man roster and Donald isn’t ie Harman is the easier choice for a short term promotion

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  14. phillies solutions, myers to the 7th or 8th especially since gordon is a ? taguchi released, cardenas bought up, wirth full time in rf. happ or bastardo up. ill say it again donald will be a star in the bigs 3rd base next year. he,s a baseball player. the kind of kid who will die to win. by the way whats the deal with this garcia? sounds good.

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  15. the future game roster has a catcher hitting 219 is that right how is he on that roster,I know that after reading this blog that the roster is not the best talent but 219 hitting catcher?

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