Wouldn’t it be nice if every industry had its own version of the MLB‘s Futures Game?
Up-and-coming carpenters, accountants and history teachers alike would all be able to showcase their skills in hopes of getting a high-paying job in the near future. However, the world doesn’t exactly work like that and it’s only MLB that has a Futures Game for us to enjoy each season.
For the last 14 years, the rising stars of baseball have been squaring off against one another in hopes that a few of the game’s brightest minor leaguers will show us all that they are ready for the professional level. The 2013 game is especially loaded with talent, but two of the most talked about starters are unfortunately not healthy enough to suit up.
Ironically enough, both of the studs are soon-to-be MLB rivals.
Despite playing fantastic baseball before going down, both Jorge Soler and Oscar Taveras will be unable to play in the Futures Game. The Chicago Cubs are hoping that Soler can follow in the footsteps of fellow-Cuban Yasiel Puig, who plays with a similar reckless abandon and is also an outfielder. However, Soler might have to tone down his aggressiveness if indeed the stress fracture in his left shin that he suffered last month keeps rearing its ugly head.
As for Taveras, the St. Louis Cardinals believe that he is certainly the Cards’ best prospect since Yadier Molina.
That’s extremely high praise, but considering Taveras nailed 23 home runs, stole 10 stolen bases and notched 94 RBI last year in Double-A Springfield; the top-notch prospect has earned the comparison to say the least. Hopefully Taveras can rid himself of the nagging ankle injury that has plagued him in recent months, so that he can finally make the jump to the professional ranks.
Devin O’Barr is the Content Commentator for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @DevinOBarrRS, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.
