Javy Baez and Willson Contreras won't be the only members of the Cubs organization headed to Cleveland next week.
Earlier today, the AL and NL team rosters for the MLB Futures Game -- an annual showcase of baseball's top prospects -- were announced:
While still technically a prospect, Alzolay, who's widely considered the best pitching prospect in the Cubs' system, is one of the few (if not the only) selected players who's already playing for their major league club. He's posted a sub-3 ERA with nine strikeouts and six walks during his first 8.2 innings pitched at Wrigley Field. He had his first career start this past week, and while he only lasted 4.2 innings, he flashed impressive potential. In Triple-A Iowa this year, the 24-year-old threw 32 innings to the tune of a 3.09 ERA while striking out over 12 batters per 9 innings with a walk rate a hair below 5%.
The Cubs are seemingly interested in keeping him on the major league roster for the rest of summer, made evident by the fact that it was Tony Barnette, and not Alzolay, who was optioned back to Triple-A when the Cubs called up Craig Kimbrel.
Amaya is four years younger than Alzolay, and still playing in Myrtle Beach for the Cubs' high Single-A affliate. He's struggled some this year, slashing .207/.341/.351 (though the low batting average distracts from a 105 wRC+). Known more for his defensive prowess, MLB.com lists Amaya as the top prospect in the Cubs' system. Courtesy of Cubs prospect writer Michael Ernst, here's a breakdown of how Amaya projects to the majors
It's the second straight year that the catcher will make an appearance in the exhibition.