Prospects to Watch in 2025 MLB Futures Game

The left-hander has made hitters look largely silly, regardless of pitch. He can spot with the four-seamer and get misses with either the slider or curveball.

George Lombard Jr.

Yankees fans will get a chance to see George Lombard Jr., the team’s 2023 first-round pick, in Atlanta.

Lombard Jr. was projected by notable outlets to be an above-average power hitter, and it’s not hard to see why. The 20-year-old is a formidable presence physically. However, the power has not shown up yet. As noted weeks ago when I saw him in person, Lombard Jr. tends to top off too much, muting how much the ball leaves the infield.

While Lombard Jr. moved up to Double-A in May, his numbers have not been impressive with Somerset. Yes, he’s getting on base; Lombard Jr. walked 32 times over his first 48 games. However, the GO/AO rate (1.10) is up, and Lombard Jr. is slugging .320 with the Patriots.

Kevin McGonigle

Tigers infield prospect Kevin McGonigle, as of July 2, has only played 133 career Minor League games between 2023-25. However, he’s made an incredible impact in said games. The 2023 first-round pick slashed .327/.422/.503 (.924 OPS) in those contests.

McGonigle showcased a very advanced approach last season, with a 22% Chase% with Lakeland (A) and a 20:35 K:BB ratio. However, injuries limited him to 74 games, 14 with West Michigan (A+) and 60 with Lakeland. He’s only played 38 this season but in those games, he posted a 1.030 OPS and 27 extra-base hits.

The 5’10” infielder has shown impressive pop for a middle infielder, raising his stock considerably since July 2023.

Parker Messick

Guardians left-hander Parker Messick is one of several players who could go from Futures to Major Leaguers in the second half this season.

The former FSU hurler is currently third in the International League in strikeouts (83). However, Messick owns a 1.32 WHIP this season with Columbus (AAA), thanks in large part to 36 walks over 68 innings.

Messick has a funky delivery with a lot of action. But one thing that can’t be denied is the stuff. The left-hander boasts an impressive mid-80s changeup that has turned into his ace offering, playing off a fastball that hovers in the mid-90s.

Braden Montgomery

Three of the four prospects acquired by the White Sox for Garrett Crochet have made it to the Majors. The lone player who hasn’t yet is 2024 first-rounder Braden Montgomery.

Montgomery raced through Low-A Kannapolis quickly before moving up to High-A in May. A switch-hitter, Montgomery recorded mostly respectable numbers with the Dash to this point. The 22-year-old cracked 22 extra-base hits over his first 52 games with Winston-Salem.

He showed plenty of power at the collegiate level and, by and large, doesn’t have a lengthy swing that should give him swing-and-miss problems. Plus, he showed a selective approach, despite the low 3.6 P/PA in the Minors this season.

Sebastian Walcott

Rangers infield prospect Sebastian Walcott is the youngest player on the American League side. Walcott is 19 years old and the only player on the junior circuit’s roster to have a 2006 year of birthdate.

Nonetheless, Walcott deserves to be here.

The 19-year-old hit eight home runs and 24 extra-base hits this season in Double-A, along with showcasing an advanced approach. Walcott walked 41 times across 72 games.

Now, we move to the National League.

National League

Charlie Condon

With Travis Bazzana hurt and Chase Burns in the Majors, the highest pick from the 2024 MLB Draft in this year’s Futures Game is Charlie Condon. Condon was drafted third overall by the Rockies last year.

Condon is a mammoth of a man at 6’6” and 216 pounds. He was Division I’s home run leader last year, and after a down performance last season and a wrist injury to start 2025, Condon performed (almost) as advertised this season with Spokane (A+). Across 35 games with the Indians, Condon hit .312/.431/.420 (.851 OPS) with 12 extra-base hits over 35 games.

The one blemish was the power (.109 ISO).

Leo De Vries

San Diego aggressively moved switch-hitting shortstop Leo De Vries to full-season ball immediately, much like with Ethan Salas. And through two seasons, it’s gone well thus far.

De Vries moved up to Fort Wayne (A+) in 2025, leaving the hitter-friendly confines of the California League. The power numbers have dipped (.204 ISO in 2024, .146 ISO in 2025) but maintained his ability to get on base.

His 41 walks is in the top 20 of the Midwest League.

Konnor Griffin

Pirates 2024 first-round pick Konnor Griffin could be exactly what Pittsburgh needs: a homegrown power bat to complement their crop of young pitchers.

Between Low-A and High-A this season, Griffin hit .338/.396/.536 (.932 OPS) with 12 home runs and 29 extra-base hits across 68 games. Additionally, he’s shown explosiveness on the basepaths, as Griffin stole 37 bases between the two levels.

When Griffin was promoted to High-A, the Pirates infield prospect ranked in the top-25 of the FSL in barrels. Since the move to Greensboro (A+), Griffin is sporting a .200 ISO, above the traditional average of .150.

Jesus Made

The youngest player in the 2025 Futures Game is Jesus Made, the 18-year-old who’s made a major impact in the Carolina League this season.

Made, a switch-hitting infielder, signed for $950,000 in January 2024 and wasn’t even the Brewers’ most notable international signing that year (Jorge Quintana received $1.7M). However, Made’s become arguably the Brewers’ best overall prospect since then.

The 18-year-old hit .331 (1.012 OPS) in the Dominican Summer League last year. This season in Carolina (A), in a league largely inhabited by 20 and 21-year-olds, Made hit .279/.387/.414 (.801 OPS). And with 23 extra-base hits, it’s not hard to dream that Made can grow into his 6’1” frame and add more power.

Andrew Painter

After two full seasons lost, Andrew Painter came back with a vengeance last fall in the Arizona Fall League. Painter’s velocity was fine, and for the first time in years, looked healthy.

The Phillies slowly built Painter back up, starting him in Low-A before moving him to Lehigh Valley (AAA). Since the move up, it’s been a reality check of sorts. Yes, the velo is good; Painter regularly hit 99-100 MPH to this point. However, six home runs and a .252 opp. AVG shows Painter still has work to do on his road back.

It’s worth noting Painter has been built up to throw five innings regularly. However, Painter struggled with walks last month; the right-hander walked 11 over 23.1 IP with the Ironpigs in June.

Eduardo Tait

He’s still a few years away. However, it’s not hyperbole to believe Eduardo Tait could be the Phillies’ catcher of the future.

Tait, the Panama City native who hit .321 in the FCL last year, is among the FSL’s best power hitters this season. The 18-year-old recorded 19 barrels in the Florida State League, tied for first in the circuit along with Garrett Pennington (DET) and Axiel Plaz (PIT).

It’s rather impressive to see that at a young age. However, one issue moving forward for Tait is his tendency to chase. This season, he swung at pitches out of the zone 38.8% of the time with Clearwater.

Jonah Tong

The Mets snared Jonah Tong in the seventh round of the 2022 MLB Draft. That pick could turn into a steal if Tong continues his upward trajectory.

Tong, a right-hander with a low-to-mid-90s fastball with high IVB, along with a curveball and slider, diced through A-ball hitters last season. And this year with Binghamton (AA), Tong struck out 115 over his first 73 innings this season, 26 ahead of Jack Wenninger for second.

Arguably the Mets’ best pitching prospect, Tong shouldn’t be too far off from Queens.

JJ Wetherholt

The Cardinals picked JJ Wetherholt in the first round last July, as the former West Virginia standout slipped to #7 after an injury-shortened season. However, Wetherholt was an early favorite to go first overall in 2024 after he won the Division I batting crown in 2023.

Wetherholt had one of the best pure hit tools in the draft and in the Minors — and that’s held true thus far. The 22-year-old walked more (41) than he struck out (36) in Double-A Springfield, while also showing good bat-to-ball skills. The power, however, is more of an open book at this point.

The former WVU standout could very be part of a future middle infield soon with Masyn Winn.