KC Royals Billy Butler, game MVP
The USA Futures All Stars defeated the World Futures All Stars 8-5, thanks in large part to a five run third inning. Since 1999 Baseball America and Major League Baseball have selected the best young players in baseball to play in the ultimate prospect game. This year’s game MVP Billy Butler (2004 1st round draft choice) was 2 for 3 with a two run homer, nothing but time stands between him and a starting leftfield job with the Royals. The Royals 2005 first round pick Alex Gordon also was 2 for 3 with a double & two runs knocked in. The Royals are coming, as last year’s game MVP was KC’s own Justin Huber. Other Futures who shined were the Rockies Joe Koshansky 1 for 3 with a two run blast and the White Sox Josh Fields 2 for 3 with a double, their paths to the bigs may be a little less clear as they are blocked by Todd Helton & Joe Crede respectively. DonS & I both saw Koshansky & Fields mash in Spring Training in Arizona. San Diego Padre catching prospect George Kottaras had a nice day with the bat for the World team ripping a double & homer in two at bats. You can get all the history of the Futures Games here.