The National League was victorious in the MLB All-Star Futures Game for the third consecutive season, defeating the American League 4-2 at Truist Park on Saturday.
It was the 26th annual showcase of baseball’s top young talent, featuring 50 total players, 33 of whom are ranked among MLB’s Top 100 prospect list.
Since the format of NL versus Al began in 2019, the NL has come out in front four of their six games, with one tie in 2019 and the AL coming out in front in 2022.
This year, the AL jumped out to a 2-0 lead, but the NL came back scoring four runs in the fourth to end up winning them the game.
The big hit of the game came from Los Angeles Dodgers top prospect Josue De Paula, who blasted a three-run homer at 109 mph to put the NL out in front.
“It meant a lot for me,” De Paula said. “Just the emotions of it, I was overtaken by emotions, especially doing it in front of my dad.
“I feel like it’s something that doesn’t happen, especially even being here at the Futures Game, it doesn’t happen often. So I tried to make the best of it, and I did today.”
Due to his contributions on the field, De Paula was named the Futures Game Most Valuable Player.
He became the first Dodgers’ prospect to win the award since Chin-Lung Hu in 2007, and just the second to win it overall.
“Very special,” De Paula said. “It was very special, nd doing it in front of my dad, like I said, it’s a very special moment for me and I’ll remember it for life.”
De Paula is ranked as the Dodgers’ No. 1 prospect by MLB Pipeline and the No. 27th overall in MLB.
He’s just 20-years-old and playing for High-A Great Lakes, but for the talented outfielder, it seems to be more a matter of when, not if, he makes his MLB debut.
“It’s definitely a motivator, and for me mentally, it was a big moment to just prove to me, especially to myself, who I really am,” De Paula said.
De Paula was joined by his teammate Zyhir Hope, the Dodgers No. 2 prospect and No. 37 overall at the Futures Game.
Hope started in center field, batting fifth, and went 1-for-2 with a single, scoring a run on the homer and celebrating with De Paula at home plate.
The two outfielders have also developed a close friendship during their time together in the Minor Leagues, so it was special for them to be able to play together in the exhibition game.
“Very cool, very cool,” De Paula said. “We do it often in the regular season. Seeing him work, and me and him both going at it on the field, being there together, it was a real help for me. Going throughout the day, it just made the whole process easier with him being here.”
More must-reads:
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!