SEATTLE — The future of Major League Baseball came together to learn from each other at the 2023 SiriusXM All-Star MLB Futures Game. Here's what we heard from three of baseball's top prospects.
While much attention is paid to who will be taking the field in Tuesday night's MLB All-Star Game, there were plenty of eyes on the 50 prospects who made up the American League and National League rosters for the Futures Game on Saturday afternoon.
Those prospects in attendance here in the Pacific Northwest included the top overall prospect, Jackson Holliday, who was selected as the top overall pick in the 2022 MLB draft.
MLB prospects: Jackson Holliday honors his dad at MLB Futures Game
Holliday stood before his locker talking to the media on Saturday afternoon with his Futures Game jersey in the background. Holliday chose to wear No. 7 on this day, honored his father Matt, who had a 15-year MLB career with the Colorado Rockies, St. Louis Cardinals and New York Yankees.
"It's not subtle," Holliday smiled, looking at the jersey and telling reporters he was able to pick the number. "They allowed me to have it, so that's pretty cool."
Promoted to High-A on April 24, the 19-year-old Holliday has a slash line of .314/.452/.488 and already has 11 doubles, five triples and five home runs in 207 at-bats with Aberdeen.
Holliday said he hasn't been surprised by the success he's already found with his new assignment.
"That was my goal, and obviously I expect myself to do well," Holliday said. "To play good in Aberdeen is something I trained for.
"I knew what I was getting myself into coming into pro ball and I learned a lot from my dad and my mom, being able to balance my experiences. I feel like I've done a pretty good job."
MLB prospects: Yankees' Spencer Jones following mold of Aaron Judge
Listed at 6-foot-6 and 225 pounds, Yankees prospect Spencer Jones has heard the questions before. After all, when you're a tall outfielder in the New York farm system, you're going to get plenty of inquiries that pair you with 6-foot-7 Aaron Judge.
While Judge may have an inch and about 60 pounds (Judge is listed at 282) on Jones, the 22-year-old outfielder, listed as the third-best prospect in the Yankees farm system, says there is plenty to learn from how the American League MVP carries himself, on and off the field.
"We were joking around in the (spring training) weight room that, once you get to a certain size, it's about moving right and not so much about strength," Jones recalled. "Little things like that are some of the tips that he has shared with me."
At High-A Hudson Valley, Jones has displayed his own strength this season, smacking 10 homers and 20 doubles as part of a .263/.330/.470 slash line. Even from afar, Jones is using Judge's size as motivation for his future in the Bronx.
"It's encouraging because there aren't a lot of guys our height who are out there, running around and playing every day," Jones said. "To see somebody in organization who is doing that and contributing like he does is something special."
MLB prospects: Cardinals' Tink Hence finding right balance on mound
The top-ranked pitcher in the Cardinals organization (and second-ranked overall prospect), Hence said he is finding the sweet spot between his velocity and control while pitching for Double-A Springfield.
"I feel I can work with anything 94-96 (mph) or 95-97. When I'm between 95-97 and putting the ball where I want to, I'm okay with that. It's better than when I'm 97-99 and missing down low," Hence said. "It's about learning the true art of pitching. I want to see where the velo is good, but also control and command is a key."
Starting the year at High-A, the 20-year-old right-hander was promoted to Double-A on July 1 and has made just one start before heading to the Pacific Northwest for the Futures Game. In that lone start, Hence scattered six hits over 5.0 innings and allowed just one run. He also struck out five while walking just one, proof that he is starting to find that blend of velocity and command.
"I'm seeing what makes me the most effective," Hence said. "When I'm locating my fastball the way I need to, I'm making it as easy as I can on me."