With the All-Star Break just around the corner, Major League Baseball announced the roster selections for the Futures Game…featuring two Tampa Bay prospects.
Every year during the All-Star Break, one of the many events is the Futures Game. Traditionally held the day before the Home Run Derby, the game features 50 of the best minor league players around the country.
Several names recognizable to Rays fans have made the prior games. Evan Longoria, Jeremy Hellickson, Matt Moore, Colby Rasmus, Melvin Upton Jr., Brad Miller, and current manager Kevin Cash, just to name a few. They have joined the likes of Jake Arrieta, Clay Buchholz, Zack Greinke, and Justin Verlander hundred of others.
This year, the Rays will have two players representing them, one on each team.
Brent Honeywell, Lucius Fox, and Durham manager Jared Sandberg will represent the Rays in the 2017 Futures Game. https://t.co/lCxLzxbFYy pic.twitter.com/d4JYtqxk7l
— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) June 29, 2017
Brent Honeywell
Selected from triple-A Durham Bulls, Brent Honeywell will play on Team USA. Posting a 7-6 record with Durham as of June 29th, Honeywell currently has a amazing 10.93 strikeout per nine inning ratio. Selected 72nd overall in the 2014 MLB Draft, Honeywell has worked his way from the bottom. He has spent time with single-A Bowling Green, Advanced-A Charlotte, double-A Montgomery, and is now just a call-up away from the bigs with Durham.
It’s #HoneyDay at the DBAP! #Rays top pitching prospect Brent Honeywell makes his DBAP debut tonight.
(Photo cred: @indyindians) pic.twitter.com/w7o2bVHno8
— Durham Bulls (@DurhamBulls) April 25, 2017
Given how things are going with the Rays bullpen the last few months, it is entirely possible for Honeywell to see some action in the Majors before the year is over. Should he make his debut this year, he will join Jacob Faria and Jose Alvarado who have already made their MLB Debuts with Tampa Bay this season.
Lucius Fox
Playing against Honeywell on Team World will be the 19-year-old from the Bahamas, Lucius Fox. Aquired from San Francisco in the Matt Moore trade on August 1st of last season, Fox has been having a break-out season with single-A Bowling Green Hot Rods. Batting .285 through 62 games as of June 29th, Fox has 14 extra base hits, including two home runs.
Fox, who will turn 20-years-old on Sunday, still has some work to be done in the minors. Through those 62 games, Fox already has been struck out 65 times to only 69 hits. That being said, he also has 22 stolen bases so far on the season. He also still has an on-base percetage of .360, which is currently sixth on his team.
Be sure to see how both do in the MLB Futures Game, Sunday July 9th. And make sure to #VoteRays on your All-Star ballots. Voting closes at midnight on June 29th.
Just click the link to the ballot here or in the video below…
SIX. HOURS. LEFT.
Fill out your @Esurance #ASG ballot before it’s too late. https://t.co/QAilFAKO7P pic.twitter.com/4b877Kt6k2
— MLB (@MLB) June 29, 2017
