Earlier today I referenced the upcoming MLB draft and how the expectations for first round picks will be high. Earlier today MLB held their Futures Game in Arlington Texas. The Futures game is made up of prospects of varying levels. Some of the guys were recently drafted and have moved quickly through their organization, but some will never achieve ML success. There is nothing wrong with this game being the highlight of one’s professional career.

For years MLB pitted the World’s best players against the U.S and with each organization sending a player or two to each side. I’m not sure why or when they changed to having AL prospects face off against NL prospects. When I saw that the NL Stars won earlier today, I checked out the rosters to see how many names I recognized. Rather than mere recognition, I noticed that I’ve seen a handful of the guys earlier this season with at High-A or AA.

19-year-old, Cam Collier, a Reds prospect and son of former ML’er Lou Collier, earned MVP honors. Just last week, I saw Collier and Dayton defeat Lake County. It got me to thinking about the last Future’s Game I attended in 2003 at Cellular Field in Chicago. Editor’s note: I didn’t go to the ASG that year. Current Sox coach, Grady Sizemore won the Larry Doby Award that year.

As every team has been plagued by injuries to their pitching staffs this season, I can’t help but think how one member from the US Team that year could help some team this season. Likely HOF’er, Zack Greinke is still unemployed, but supposedly threw a bullpen back in May. I admit to not recalling his status offhand and had to check with Baseball Reference.

Greinke last pitched and won on October 1, 2023, against the Yankees. In five innings, he allowed 4 hits and 1 earned run. Greinke made his ML debut 19 years earlier against the Athletics, pitching 5 innings, allowing 5 hits and two earned runs.

I can think of a half dozen teams that could benefit from five-inning starts. And if anyone remembers his post-season exploits for the Astros in 2021, he can still swing the bat.