The Rockies have landed two infield prospects on the Team USA roster for the Futures Game as a part of the MLB All-Star festivities.
Ryan McMahon of the Triple-A Albuquerque Isotopes and Brendan Rodgers of the Double-A Hartford Yard Goats were included in the announcement of rosters Thursday morning from Major League Baseball Public Relations. The 25 players for each roster were selected by Major League Baseball, Baseball America and the 30 major league clubs.
McMahon, a 6-foot-2, 185-pound prospect has played in 79 games this season with both the Yard Goats and the Isotopes. He has hit .360 with 11 home runs and 56 RBIs combined. McMahon has been moved all over the infield, registering starts at first, second, and third base in 2017. His fielding percentages have all stayed at .975 or better with his best percentage being .994 in his 34 starts (310.0 innings) at first base.
Rodgers, a 6-foot, 180-pound middle infielder has spent time with the Advanced-A Lancaster Jethawks and Double-A Hartford Yard Goats in 2017. He is batting .378 with 12 home runs and 46 RBIs in 54 games combined. Rodgers has shown flashes of brilliance up the middle with a .959 fielding percentage in 50 games (49 starts) at shortstop and a 1.000 fielding percentage in his four games (all starts) at second base.
McMahon and Rodgers join some elite company with their Futures Game selection. Players currently on the Rockies’ big-league roster who participated in the futures game include Nolan Arenado (2011 and ’12), Jeff Hoffman (2016), Jordan Lyles (2010), Trevor Story (2015) and Raimel Tapia (2016).
While it might be premature to say McMahon or Rodgers will turn into the next Arenado, being selected to the All-Star Festivities is a big deal. Historically, the Futures Game has been a solid predictor of big league talent, so don’t be surprised if McMahon or Rodgers continues their success in the major leagues soon.