2005 Futures Game

Baseball Examiner will be present for the 2005 Futures Game at Detroit's Comerica Park on July 10th! Needless to say, we are very excited to witness 50 of the game's better prospects in person.

They aren't necessarily the top 50 prospects in baseball because several other considerations are taken into account, such as:

• The rosters are designed in a U.S vs. the World format.

• Each of the 30 organizations are represented, none with more than 2 players.

• Though there are a few players from A-ball, the focus for selection is toward players at the Double-A and Triple-A levels.

Another factor is that the major leagues keep pilfering from the Futures Game roster. Seven players on the original Futures Game roster have since been promoted to the big leagues and will not play in the Futures Game. They include USA participants Zach Duke, lhp, Pirates; Jeff Francouer, of, Braves; Bobby Jenks, rhp, White Sox; Ian Snell, rhp, Pirates; Josh Willingham, c, Marlins; and World participants Fernando Cabrera, rhp, Indians and Melky Cabrera, of, Yankees. Three others will not play due to injury: Marcus Sanders, 2b, Giants; John Hattig, 3b, Blue Jays; and Felix Pie, of, Cubs.

Baseball Examiner's mock starting lineups and player notes.