If you’re anything like me, you probably spent the last All-Star break arguing with your friends about whether the Home Run Derby has too many commercials. But while everyone was focused on the big-league stars in Atlanta, something way more interesting was happening at Truist Park. I’m talking about the 2025 MLB All-Star Futures Game.
Honestly, the mlb futures game rosters are usually the best crystal ball we have for the next five years of baseball. Think about it. You’re looking at a field where, just a few years ago, guys like Corbin Carroll or Gunnar Henderson were just "prospects" with funny names. Now? They’re the face of the sport. The 2025 edition was no different, featuring 50 of the most electric arms and bats in the minors, including 32 of MLB Pipeline’s Top 100.
The NL Victory and the Josue De Paula Show
The National League took this one home 4-2, moving their record to 4-1-1 since the format switched to AL vs. NL back in 2019. But the score barely matters. What matters is that Josue De Paula absolutely pulverized a baseball.
The Dodgers’ top prospect didn't just win the Larry Doby MVP Award; he basically announced his arrival to the world. He crushed a three-run homer that left everyone in the dugout just staring. De Paula is only 20, but he’s been hanging out with Juan Soto and Elly De La Cruz during the offseasons, and you can see that confidence rubbing off. He doesn't look like a kid. He looks like a guy who’s going to be hitting third in Los Angeles by next summer.
Aside from De Paula, the NL side was stacked. We saw:
- Owen Caissie (Cubs) slapping an RBI double that proved why he's knocking on the door of Wrigley Field.
- Andrew Painter (Phillies) finally looking like his old self after the long road back from surgery.
- Konnor Griffin (Pirates), the kid with the "loud" tools, legging out an infield single that showed off that 70-grade speed.
Why the AL Roster Was Scarier Than the Score Suggested
Don’t let the loss fool you. The American League roster was terrifyingly talented. If you're a Detroit Tigers fan, you should probably be doing backflips right now. They had a trio of prospects—Max Clark, Kevin McGonigle, and Josue Briceño—who basically spent the first half of 2025 terrorizing the Midwest League.
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Max Clark is the real deal. He led off the game by working a seven-pitch walk against the Braves’ JR Ritchie, then promptly stole second before the next hitter even saw a strike. He’s got that annoying-in-a-good-way lead-off energy that every championship team needs.
Then there’s the pitching. We have to talk about Jurrangelo Cijntje.
He made history. Straight up. The Mariners prospect became the first person to ever record outs with both his right and left hands in a Futures Game. He struck out a guy righty, then induced a flyout lefty. It felt like watching a glitch in a video game. I don’t know if he’ll stay a true switch-pitcher in the bigs, but for one afternoon in Atlanta, it was the coolest thing on the planet.
Breaking Down the 2025 mlb futures game rosters
Let's look at who actually made the cut. Every team gets at least one representative, but some systems are clearly deeper than others right now.
American League Standouts
The AL squad was led by Marquis Grissom, a Braves legend who actually got to manage against his own son, Marquis Grissom Jr., who was pitching for the NL. How cool is that?
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- Sebastian Walcott (Rangers): The 19-year-old shortstop is a physical freak. He's 6'4" and plays with a twitchiness that doesn't make sense for his size.
- Noah Schultz (White Sox): Standing 6'10", this lefty is a nightmare for hitters. He’s already reached Triple-A Charlotte and looks like a future ace.
- Trey Yesavage (Blue Jays): His high arm slot makes his fastball feel like it’s coming from a skyscraper. He struck out the Cardinals’ top pick, JJ Wetherholt, in a sequence that was just mean.
National League Standouts
Chipper Jones had the reins for the NL, and he had plenty of toys to play with.
- Leo De Vries (Padres): He was the youngest guy on the field at 18. He didn't do much in his lone at-bat, but the fact that he's already at High-A Fort Wayne tells you everything you need to know.
- Charlie Condon (Rockies): The No. 3 overall pick from the 2024 draft started at first base. He went hitless, sure, but the exit velocity on his foul balls was enough to make the scouts drool.
- Travis Sykora (Nationals): He’s been dominant all year, and he showed why with a 100-mph heater that looks effortless.
What Most People Get Wrong About These Rosters
There's a big misconception that the Futures Game is just about the "best" players. It’s not. It’s a mix of the highest-ceiling talents and the guys who are performing right now.
Sometimes, a guy like CJ Kayfus (Guardians) makes the roster because he’s simply hitting .330 and won’t stop getting on base, even if he isn't a "top 10" global prospect. Conversely, you might see a guy like Konnor Griffin who is still raw but has the potential to be a superstar. The committee—which includes MLB.com and Baseball America—has to balance that "star power" with organizational representation.
Also, people think if a guy isn't on the roster, he’s a bust. Not true. Often, the best prospects are already in the big leagues by July. If Jackson Holliday or Junior Caminero aren't there, it's usually because they’re too busy helping their parent clubs win actual pennants.
The "Georgia Connection" and Future Impact
Playing at Truist Park added a layer of drama, especially for the Braves prospects like JR Ritchie and Hayden Harris. Ritchie, specifically, is a guy to watch. He’s coming back from UCL surgery and was sitting 96-97 mph. For a kid who just turned 22, that’s gutsy.
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The real takeaway from the mlb futures game rosters is the timeline. Usually, about 80% of these guys will make their MLB debut within 18 months of this game. We’ve already seen guys like Samuel Basallo (Orioles) and Nolan McLean (Mets) get the call shortly after the mid-summer classic.
If you’re a fantasy baseball junkie, these rosters are your Bible. You should be looking at guys like Jesús Made (Brewers), who was the youngest participant this year. He’s got that "it" factor that usually translates to a fast rise through the system.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Collectors
If you want to stay ahead of the curve, don't just look at the box score. Look at the process.
- Track the "Spring Breakout" Alums: 42 of the 50 players in the 2025 game played in the Spring Breakout earlier in the year. If a guy excels in both, he's on the fast track.
- Watch the K-Rates: Pitchers like Jonah Tong (Mets) had a 40.5% strikeout rate heading into the game. That’s not a fluke; that’s a dominant pitch mix.
- Ignore One-Game Stats: Charlie Condon went 0-for-3. Does it matter? No. He’s still a foundational piece for Colorado. Look at the swing mechanics and the athleticism instead.
The 2025 game might be over, but the impact is just starting. Keep an eye on the 40-man roster moves this coming November. A lot of these Futures Game stars will need protection from the Rule 5 draft, which is often the final hurdle before they’re wearing a big-league jersey on Opening Day.
To stay truly updated on how these specific players are progressing toward their debut, follow the MLB Pipeline "Prospect Watch" and set alerts for Double-A and Triple-A promotion news. The jump from the Futures Game to the "Show" happens faster than you think.