Four reasons to watch the 2016 Futures Game

Baseball’s next wave of superstars are ready to make an impression on the world. The 18th annual Futures Game (Sunday, 7 p.m. ET on MLB Network) is upon us and will serve as the perfect appetizer for the star-studded events to come at Petco Park in San Diego.

For those who may not be familiar with the Futures Game, the concept is exactly what the name implies. Fifty of the game’s top prospects will be present and divided into teams representing the U.S. and the World (view full rosters here), and for nine innings they’ll have an opportunity to showcase their skills on a national stage.

For many fans, it’s actually the most anticipated event of the week. With an impressive list of alumni that includes established MLB All-Stars like Mike Trout and Kris Bryant, and first-timers this season like Corey Seager and Xander Bogaerts, the Futures Game truly is a glimpse into baseball’s future.

Do you really need to be sold beyond that?

If so, then here are four more reasons we think you should invest your evening into the star’s of tomorrow.

SHORTSTOP CITY

The shortstop position has added some incredible depth the past two seasons with the promotions of 2016 All-Stars Francisco Lindor, Addison Russell and Corey Seager, to go along with should-be All-Stars Carlos Correa and Trevor Story. More talent is on the way though, and we’ll get a good look at it on Sunday evening.

Among those on hand will be Dansby Swanson, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2015 draft, who represents the Altanta Braves. He’ll be joined by Alex Bregman of the Houston Astros and Willy Adames of the Tampa Bay Rays. All three ranked among Baseball America’s Top 50 prospects before the season.

A fourth Top 50 shortstop, Jorge Mateo of the New York Yankees, was supposed to be there too but was suspended by the Yankees for complaining about his spot in the organization. That’s a disappointment, but even without him shortstop will be the position to watch as the three aforementioned talents are all well-rounded players who can impact a game in several different ways.

BIG ARMS

The Futures Game will be loaded with power arms. We’ll have a chance to watch six pitchers that ranked in Baseball America’s preseason Top 100 prospects. Those include Alex Reyes of the St. Louis Cardinals, Amir Garrett of the Cincinnati Reds, Joe Musgrove of the Houston Astros, Carson Fulmer of the Chicago White Sox, Jeff Hoffman of the Colorado Rockies and Reynaldo Lopez of the Washington Nationals.

Reyes might have the best all-around stuff and might be closest to the big leagues. Lopez will be another guy to watch as he unleashes his high 90s fastball on the U.S. squad. We just hope the hitters are ready, because these exhibition games tend to favor the short and powerful bursts from pitchers.

BOSTON’S BOPPERS

The Red Sox farm system has come through recently, producing three first-time All-Stars in this year’s game in Mookie Betts, Jackie Bradley Jr. and Xander Bogaerts. The next two in that line may be playing Sunday in infielder Yoan Moncada and outfielder Andrew Benintendi.

Moncada is one of the few prospects in the minors that offers true five-tool potential. That’s part of the reason why Boston gave him a record $31.5M signing bonus after defecting from Cuba. As for Benintendi, the 2015 first-round pick has become one of the best outfield prospects in baseball. Most thought his offensive game would translate well in pro ball, and that’s proving to be true. Boston’s boppers may be the closest to can’t miss prospects that we’ll see in this game.

WHO’S NEXT?

At least one player we watch in the Futures Game will be making a huge impact for his organization this season. That could be on the field. It could also be in a trade that helps that team right away.

Others will slowly start showing over the next year or so. Pittsburgh Pirates prospect Josh Bell, who played in the Futures Game the past two seasons, is making an impact right now. After being recalled this week, he responded with a pinch-hit grand slam on Saturday, which fueled a Pirates win.

Others still will not only graduate to the big leagues, they will participate in next year’s main event, as in the MLB All-Star game itself. Kris Bryant did that last year. Trevor Story nearly did it this season.

Those are the types of stories that will begin on Sunday, and we’ll all be along for the ride.

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Mark Townsend is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at bigleaguestew@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!