The best talent in the minors was on display Saturday afternoon in Atlanta at the 2025 MLB Futures Game. The National League scored all of its runs in the fourth inning, but it was enough for a 4-2 victory over the American League. Ten of our top twenty Dynasty prospects were in action in this game and showed that the future is very bright in Major League Baseball.

There were some standout players in this game, and we will highlight a few of them.

National League

Josue De Paula

The game’s MVP was Josue De Paula of the Los Angeles Dodgers, who currently plays for the Great Lakes Loons of the High-A Midwest League. De Paula had the biggest swing of the game, taking a left-on-left slider from Noah Schultz 416 feet into the right field stands for a three-run homer (108.5 mph was the hardest batted ball of the day). De Paula continues to show more power as he develops and could be a scary offensive player for the Dodgers down the road.

Jonah Tong

Mets farmhand Jonah Tong looked strong in his clean inning of work, striking out Harry Ford in the process. Tong reached 97.4 mph with his fastball, inducing three whiffs overall. The Markham, Ontario native told us before the game how he developed his unique over-the-top delivery.

“Ironically, the reason I’m so high is because my dad hated when I threw sidearm playing catch,” Tong told Greg before the game. “Tim Lincecum was a big influence. I love how he threw, and he was certainly a big influence on me, as well.”

JJ Wetherholt

JJ Wetherholt played all seven innings at short for the NL squad, going 1-for-4, but the one was a loud, opposite-field double off Guardians lefty Parker Messick. The ball hit the left field wall on the fly, coming off the bat at 105.9 mph. Wetherholt had this to say when we asked him about his opposite field power,

“I’m keeping training focused to take your best fastball to left center, which also helps me stay on off-speed stuff,” Wetherholt told Drew. “It’s what I tried to do in college, but staying in the weight room more and focusing on my bat speed has really helped me hit the ball harder to that direction.”

Owen Caissie

Owen Caissie reached three times with a double and two walks, showing improved maturity and plate discipline. Caissie worked walks against Parker Messick in the first inning, laying off several close pitches, including ball four, which he successfully overturned on a challenge, and George Klassen in the third. Caissie’s double came on a 2-2 curveball from Astros reliever Alimber Santa, which he drove the other way into the left field corner. When asked about what he’s done to improve his contact rates and reduce whiff Caissie said,

“I have continued to mature and I feel there is no need for drastic changes because I am only 23, and each year I whiff less, so that is a positive thing,” Caissie told Greg earlier in the day. “The way my swing works, strikeouts are going to happen, so whatever I can do to negate or reduce that, but I’ve seen more pitches, and so by seeing more and learning more, I can perform better.”

American League

Max Clark

Max Clark looks like the Tigers' future leadoff hitter as he reached base in both plate appearances. He drew a 7-pitch walk to begin the game against JR Ritchie and promptly stole second base. He then reached on an infield single off Marlins’ lefty Thomas White, showing off his wheels once again. Clark told Drew before the game he has made mental and physical adjustments this season, including changing parts of his set-up and swing.

“These changes have allowed me to get underneath balls and stay behind them longer and in the zone longer; I feel I’m in a better position with my body to work with my barrel,” said Clark. “Obviously, it’s a work in progress and always will be, but it’s a step up from last year and I feel like I am starting to answer questions people had about me.”

George Lombard Jr.

George Lombard Jr., who started at second base for the AL, was also impressive, going 1 for 2 with a double, a walk, and a stolen base. In the third inning, he worked a 6-pitch walk vs Thomas White and then promptly stole second off the lefthander. He later scored on a groundout. His double came in the 5th inning when he ripped a Trent Harris fastball into the left field corner at 104.4 mph.

Jurrangelo Cijntje

Mariners’ switch-pitcher Jurrangelo Cijntje was very impressive in his scoreless inning, recording outs with both arms, including strikeouts of Brewers’ Jesus Made and Marlins’ Joe Mack. Cijintje touched 98.7 with his right-handed heater and talked about how he manages caring for both arms with us before the game.

“Every time I do something from one side, I make sure to do it from the other side, too,” Cijntje told Greg earlier in the day, focusing on his full-body care and stating when he has post-game arm care, he keeps the same routines for each arm, as well. “Any time I’m working out with teammates, they always have to wait on me because I have to work out both sides.”

Brody Hopkins

Brody Hopkins was another AL pitcher who stood out, throwing a shutout inning and lighting up the radar gun. Hopkins was one of two pitchers (Klassen) to hit 99 mph Saturday, and his 6’4 frame with 5’ release height and ability to extend down the mound make his elite stuff difficult to square up.

Batting Practice Standouts

The most impressive batting practice displays were put on by AL sluggers Lazaro Montes, Carter Jensen, Josue Briceno, and Tommy White. Montes and Jensen both put multiple balls on top of the Chop House in right field, which is upwards of 450 feet away, while Briceno and White powered balls into the seats with regularity. On the NL side, Konnor Griffin, who is a physical specimen, showed his easy pop hitting several balls well over the left field wall. Also of note, Kevin McGonigle and Jesus Made both have incredible hand quickness and barrel control, which is a sight to behold in person.

Noah Schultz & Thomas White

For the second year in a row, lefties Noah Schultz of the White Sox (0.2 IP, 4 H, 4 ER, 0 BB, 0 K, HR) and Thomas White of the Marlins (1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, K) struggled in the Futures Game. These are one-inning snapshots, and while we don’t want to overreact to this, these performances point to a larger picture of the current value of these players.

Schultz, whom many considered the best left-handed pitching prospect in the game, has struggled mightily this season. His 14.4% walk rate and 4.23 xFIP are nowhere near last year’s marks of 6.7 BB% and 2.69 xFIP. One big difference from last year to this year is that the White Sox are letting Schultz pitch deeper into games. Before this season, Schultz had not thrown a pitch in the 5th inning of a game as a professional. Hitters are now seeing his stuff for a third time through the order, which evens the playing field for hitters. There are likely other factors at play here. Schultz is a 6'10 "pitcher, and repeating a delivery with lengthy levers can be challenging. What’s most concerning is that his strikeout rate has plummeted from 32.1% last season to 23.2% this season.

White, on the other hand, was a rising prospect for many outlets (including us) who had made significant gains with his control early in his professional career. This season, some of the control concerns have crept back into his game, leading to a 12.7% walk rate (15.4% in his brief time at Double-A). White has still maintained a high strikeout rate (35.0%), which is encouraging, but to reach his lofty ceiling, he will need to limit his walks like he did in 2024 (9.2%).

It’s not panic time for these two talented arms, but it might be time to re-evaluate your value on Schultz and White.

All told, the 2025 Futures Game was a great baseball showcase. The future for MLB is certainly bright, and many of tomorrow’s stars shone brightly here in Atlanta.

Stay tuned for our complete interview content with some of the best young players in the minors.