The 2024 MLB Futures Game will take place on July 13, 2024, at 3 PM ET, pitting the best prospects from American and National League teams against one another. Both rosters are loaded, although modifications will be needed thanks to the promotions of Brooks Lee and James Wood. But, which players are ones you should key in on? Here’s a look at the 10 prospects we’re most interested to watch in the 2024 MLB Futures Game, starting with another prominent young catcher in the Orioles organization.
Samuel Basallo
We’ll start our 2024 MLB Futures Game prospects to watch list with Samuel Basallo of the Orioles. A catcher who started 2023 in Low-A and is currently in Double-A, Basallo’s steadily developed into a good power hitter. Basallo owned a .813 OPS through his first 71 games, with 26 extra-base hits and seven steals, as well.
The 19-year-old has a smooth swing, one where he uses his hips and upper half with effectiveness, allowing him to generate power. He’s also received a long look at first this season, which makes sense given the presence of Adley Rutschman in Baltimore.
Max Clark
Had the 2023 MLB Draft not been so deep, Max Clark could have been the first overall pick last year. Instead, the Tigers nabbed him third overall and so far, so good. Clark hit .273/.377/.382 with 14 extra-base hits and 23 stolen bases over 65 games with Lakeland (A+).
The power (.103 ISO) hasn’t come up in games just yet for Clark. However, the 19-year-old has shown good discipline and is an elite athlete with speed. If Clark can develop as predicted, he could very well be the Tigers’ future center field and a centerpiece for their lineup.
Dylan Crews
The Nationals already had one elite outfield prospect, James Wood, make his MLB debut this season. A second one could be on the way. Dylan Crews, recently promoted to Triple-A, hit .274/.343/.446 with Harrisburg (AA) before his promotion and he recorded six extra-base hits over his first 15 Triple-A games. Crews was the second overall pick in the MLB Draft last July.
Crews could develop into a strong center fielder with above-average power, despite the fact he’s yet to show great pop at the MLB level. His floor is high.
Tink Hence
Cardinals fans got a look at Tink Hence during last year’s Futures Game. He’ll be back for 2024, as the 21-year-old is in the midst of yet another strong season. Hence punched out 73 batters over his first 54.2 IP with Springfield (AA) this season and opposing batters hit just .221 off him in that stretch.
From a visual standpoint, Hence has the total package. A popping fastball that’s been reported to sit in the low to mid-90s, a sharp slider, and an athletic frame that should keep his delivery together. And, Hence is just one of several notable Cardinals pitching prospects who could be headed to St. Louis soon.
Xavier Isaac
The Rays parted with Kyle Manzardo last season but Xavier Issac may develop into a more formidable player. A former first-round pick, Isaac belted 43 extra-base hits over 102 games last season and this season, he slugged .567 over his first 59 games.
If Isaac develops as projected, the 6’4”, 240-pound first baseman could be a force to be reckoned with, one with good plate discipline and plus-plus power.
Termarr Johnson
On paper, Termarr Johnson‘s numbers don’t look sexy. Johnson, the Pirates’ first-round pick in 2022, sported just a .237 average and owned a roughly average ISO (.141) over his first 75 games. Those numbers don’t do Johnson justice, as the 20-year-old is among the Minors’ best players in terms of walks. Johnson walked 60 times over those 75 contests and last season, he walked 101 times over 105 games and owned a .422 OBP.
Johnson screams leadoff hitter and after a slow April and May, the 20-year-old began to hit for more power. Four of his seven home runs came after May 31.
Druw Jones
At 6’4” and 180 pounds, Diamondbacks outfielder Druw Jones isn’t near his father in terms of development. Jones’ father, Andruw Jones, cracked three MLB Postseason home runs and established himself as a star in the making before he turned 20. For Druw, the second overall pick in 2022, he’s fought shoulder, quad, and hamstring injuries over the last two years and played just 106 MiLB games to this point.
Jones’ numbers have ticked up in 2024 with Visalia (A), as he owned a .789 OPS over 65 games, improved from the .680 OPS in 2023. Still, the speedy outfielder needs to prove his bat is legit. He’s hit for little power (.128 ISO in 2024) over his first two pro seasons and a high GB% rate’s knocked his prospect stock down.
Spencer Jones
Yankees outfielder Spencer Jones has received comparisons to Aaron Judge. Like Judge, Jones is a former first-round pick who’s tall (6’6”), plus raw power, and a good athlete. Jones has played well in Double-A this season (.252/.332/.426, 10 HR, and 25 XBH over 67 games) but he does look different at the plate.
When I saw Jones with Hudson Valley (A+) in 2023, he deployed a powerful, yet long swing. Jones has shifted his stance in 2024, a change he told MiLB.com earlier this year should allow him to not get his back-side locked up. There’s still some considerable length, which won’t go away given how tall he is, and he’ll strike out a lot (109 over his first 67 games). Still, there’s plenty of upside.
Colson Montgomery
White Sox shortstop Colson Montgomery and 2021 first-round pick has received comparisons to Corey Seager. Montgomery is a tall, left-handed hitting shortstop who slugged .484 in 64 games, an injury-shortened campaign, last season.
Montgomery, like Dylan Crews, is knocking on the MLB door. A tough start at Triple-A (.210 AVG, .709 OPS over 74 Triple-A games) has slowed his momentum a bit. Still, he could turn into a 20-25 home run-hitting shortstop or shift to third.
Cole Young
We’ll finish our 2024 MLB Futures Game prospects to watch list with Cole Young. Young is part of a deep Mariners farm system, especially when it comes to infielders. Seattle has Colt Emerson and Tai Peete, 2023 first-round picks, in their system. Young, drafted in the first a year earlier, hit .277 and posted a ridiculous 399 OBP last season, as he walked 88 times, compared to 90 strikeouts.
Young’s received rave reviews for his speed and ability to poke the ball to all fields. And with his plate discipline, he could be Seattle’s long-term answer in the leadoff spot.