Just a little over two years ago, prized shortstop prospect Manny Machado slipped on his Perfect Game National Showcase jersey inside the Metrodome, and took one of his first big steps toward what he hopes will one day be a long and lucrative Major League career.
Machado will take another one of those steps on July 10 when he participates in the 2011 XM All-Star Futures Game at Chase Field in Phoenix.
Machado, a 20-year-old from Hialeah, Fla., who was a first round pick (third overall) of the Baltimore Orioles in the 2010 First-Year Player Draft, is one of 23 players on the 25-man United States Team roster who participated in Perfect Game events while in high school. Two other PG alumni are on the World Team roster.
All 50 players on the two rosters – each consists of 10 pitchers, two catchers, four corner infielders, four middle infielders and five outfielders – are considered among the top prospects in the minor leagues. Machado is at the Orioles’ High Class A affiliate Frederick (Md.) in the Carolina League.
Five of the players on the U.S. roster were participants in the Aflac All-American Classic – now the Perfect Game All-American Classic – during their high school years. They are right-handers Jarred Cosart (2007), Matt Harvey (2006) and Jacob Turner (2008); shortstop Grant Green (2006); and outfielder Bryce Harper (2009).
Harper, the first overall pick of the Washington Nationals in the 2010 draft, is likely the most heralded prospect in the minor leagues. Harper, who participated in the 2008 PG National Showcase and numerous PG WWBA tournaments in 2008-09, is with Low Class A Hagerstown (Md.) in the South Atlantic League, and seems poised to make a rapid rise through the Nationals’ farm system.
Harper will be teamed in the U.S. outfield with Mike Trout, who is also considered one of the top prospects in the minor leagues. The 19-year-old Trout played in several PG WWBA tournaments in 2007-08 and was a first round draft pick of the Los Angeles Angels in 2009.
Machado and Harper are two of eight members of the U.S. Futures roster who attended the PG National Showcase. The others are Cosart (2007), Harvey (2006), Turner (2008), third baseman Nolan Arenado (2008), shortstop Chase d’Arnaud (2004) and outfielder Wil Myers (2008).
What follows is a list of the prospects that will be playing in the 2011 All-Star Futures Game who are Perfect Game alumni, with their current minor league assignment.
UNITED STATES TEAM:
Jarred Cosart, RHP, High Class A Clearwater (Phillies), Florida State League.
Kyle Gibson, RHP, Triple-A Rochester (Twins), International League.
Matt Harvey, RHP, Double-A Binghamton (Mets), Eastern League.
Shelby Miller, RHP, Double-A Springfield (Cardinals), Texas League.
Brad Peacock, RHP, Double-A Harrisburg (Nationals), Eastern League.
Drew Pomeranz, LHP, High Class A Kinston (Indians), Carolina League.
Tyler Skaggs, LHP, High Class A Visalia (Diamondbacks), California League
Tyler Thornburg, RHP, Low Class A Wisconsin (Brewers), Midwest League.
Jacob Turner, RHP, Double-A Erie (Tigers), Eastern League.
Devin Mesoraco, C, Triple-A Louisville (Reds), International League.
Austin Romine, C, Double-A Trenton (Yankees), Eastern League.
Nolan Arenado, 3B, High Class A Modesto (Rockies), California League.
James Darnell, 3B, Double-A San Antonio (Padres), Texas League.
Peter Goldschmidt, 1B, Double-A Mobile (Diamondbacks), Southern League.
Will Middlebrooks, 3B, Double-A Portland (Red Sox), Eastern League.
Chase d’Arnaud, SS, Triple-A Indianapolis (Pirates), International League.
Grant Green, SS, Double-A Midland (Athletics), Texas League.
Manny Machado, SS, high Class A Frederick (Orioles), Carolina League.
Gary Brown, OF, High Class A San Jose (Giants), California League.
Bryce Harper, OF, Low Class A Hagerstown (Nationals), South Atlantic League.
Wil Myers, OF, Double-A Northwest Arkansas (Royals), Texas League.
Matt Szczur, OF, Low Class A Peoria (Cubs), Midwest League.
Mike Trout, OF, Double-A Arkansas (Angels), Texas League.
WORLD TEAM:
Yonder Alonso, 1B/OF, Triple-A Louisville (Reds), International League.
Reymond Fuentes, OF, High Class A Lake Elsinore (Padres), California League.