In the grand theatre of baseball’s future, the Futures Game offers a rare curtain-raiser. As elite prospects gather under one roof, the event mirrors a silent race toward the major leagues—where hopes simmer, talents unfold, and timing becomes everything. This year, rising stars like JJ Wetherholt, Harry Ford, and Trey Yesavage light up the scene, each inching closer to the big stage. With rosters in flux and playoffs nearing, this showcase whispers opportunity. For fans and scouts alike, the Futures Game is where tomorrow’s legends quietly begin.

Story Highlights

• JJ Wetherholt (Cardinals): Lightning-fast middle infielder climbing fast, with elite steal rate and positional versatility.

• Harry Ford (Mariners): Top catching prospect with mature plate approach and calm confidence, waiting behind Cal Raleigh.

• Carson Whisenhunt (Giants): Emerging left-hander in AAA, sharp changeup and spring training buzz; benefiting from SF leadership shift.

• Trey Yesavage (Blue Jays): 2024 first-rounder moving swiftly through the minors, showing command and presence on the mound.

• Brody Hopkins (Rays): Ex-outfielder turned pitcher with growing confidence and a clear identity in the Tampa Bay system.

It begins with a handshake. Then the bright lights, a jersey, a minor league assignment, and a long climb begins.

For the rising stars in Major League Baseball, the Futures Game isn’t just an exhibition. It’s a checkpoint—one that reflects how far they’ve come and how close they might be to joining the highest level of the sport. For the dozens selected, it offers something more personal: a moment of recognition, a moment of pause in a whirlwind journey.

Yet for many in Class AA or AAA, that pause is brief. Because for them, the Futures Game also symbolizes just how close they are—one call, one trade, one injury away—from joining the major league roster.

JJ Wetherholt: Stealing More Than Bases

It’s been just over a year since JJ Wetherholt strutted across the stage, shook Commissioner Rob Manfred’s hand, and joined the ranks of professional baseball. But the infielder’s rise has been anything but ordinary. From the 2024 MLB Draft to Class AA Springfield and now AAA Memphis, Wetherholt has sprinted through the pipeline, figuratively and literally.

What makes him such a compelling name for a potential call-up by the St. Louis Cardinals is not just his bat or glove—it’s his legs.

“Really, it just comes down to trusting my legs,” Wetherholt explained.
“It’s going to come down to the pitcher’s time and the catcher’s time. If I see the catcher’s pop time and the pitcher’s time (delivering to home) is something that makes me realize I can get a good jump and steal, I’m all over it.”

He’s done just that—16 steals in 94 pro games, with only two caught stealings. That’s nearly 89% success, a higher rate than even his college days at West Virginia.

Wetherholt understands the value of speed in a sport often ruled by power. And the Cardinals, a team that has historically leaned on speed from legends like Vince Coleman to today’s Victor Scott, seem to see it too.

And there’s mentorship. Baseball royalty, in fact.

“Ozzie Smith is the nicest dude ever,” Wetherholt said of the Hall of Famer.
“He was so excited to meet me and I was like, ‘Dude, I’m shaking right now.’ It’s awesome.”

Though shortstop is his natural position, Wetherholt is open-minded about where he plays.

“Obviously, my focus has been the middle of the infield. That’s where they see me long term,” he said.
“But I’m a competitor. I’m definitely open to anything.”

Harry Ford: Faith and Patience Behind the Plate

Some players shine once. Harry Ford is shining for the third time in the Futures Game, a rare feat. The 22-year-old catching prospect was taken 12th overall by the Mariners in 2021, and his trajectory has always pointed upward.

Now in AAA Tacoma, Ford is slashing .292/.409/.446, a significant jump from his AA numbers. Yet, despite the success, he remains in the shadows of Seattle’s breakout star, catcher Cal Raleigh.

Still, Ford isn’t discouraged.

“I try my best to stay where I’m at,” he said calmly.
“You know, something that I lean on the most is a proverb, and it says the king’s heart is in the hand of Lord, he guides it like a stream of water. He guides it wherever he pleases.”

And he’s making the most of every moment. Playing in the Futures Game near his Atlanta hometown, Ford brought 22 friends and family to witness his journey.

“I’m only 22. I’ve got a lot of time to grow,” he said.
“Just continue to grow, continue to get wisdom. It’s not too many 22-year-olds at AAA. Sometimes, it’s nice to take a step back and see that.”

Carson Whisenhunt: Lefty on Deck

When the Giants made a midseason splash by trading for Rafael Devers, the effects rippled down to Sacramento. The departure of Kyle Harrison in the deal cleared a potential lane to San Francisco’s rotation—and Carson Whisenhunt may be next.

The second-round pick from 2022 was already on the radar after an impressive spring training, and with a 4.50 ERA in AAA, he’s learning, adapting, and preparing.

“We all were kind of stunned on that one,” Whisenhunt said of the Harrison trade.
“But everything happens for a reason, and we got Devers out of it.”

He’s following closely in the footsteps of fellow young pitchers Landen Roupp and Hayden Birdsong.

“They’re both throwing really well. I pick their brains on what’s working and not working,” Whisenhunt said.
“Take little bits and pieces and apply to myself.”

A crafty changeup that drops into the low 80s has become his signature weapon. And this year, there’s more freedom for development under Buster Posey’s revamped leadership.

“Last year we were on a restriction,” Whisenhunt said.
“This year, there’s still a limit, but the limit is a lot higher. It’s trying to get us extended, ready to compete once our name’s called.”

Trey Yesavage: One Focus, One Goal

Some prospects take time to grow into the pro environment. Trey Yesavage didn’t need it. Drafted 20th overall just a year ago by the Toronto Blue Jays, the right-hander has already flown through Class A and High-A, now finding himself in AA.

From a dominance-filled stretch in A-ball—55 strikeouts in just 33 innings—to a more challenging test in New Hampshire, Yesavage is adjusting quickly.

“I’ve definitely gotten stronger,” he said.
“I’ve built a good foundation and my body’s feeling amazing because of it.”

His numbers in AA show he’s being tested—23 strikeouts, 11 walks in 17 innings—but he’s developed a deeper mental game.

“I’ve become more of a pitchability guy, throwing pitches in any count,” he said.
“Not having distractions, being able to focus on one task—that’s been a big help.”

With Toronto leading the AL East, a promotion may be ambitious in 2025. But Yesavage isn’t skipping steps.

“You have to remember the milestones along the way,” he said.
“If you’re worried about two months in advance, the game in front of you won’t go well.”

Brody Hopkins: The Outfielder Who Became a Pitching Weapon

Brody Hopkins wasn’t supposed to be here—not like this. Once an outfielder at Winthrop, his career shifted lanes when he turned full-time pitcher. Then came a trade, when he was sent to Tampa Bay in the blockbuster deal that moved Randy Arozarena to Seattle.

It’s been fast-paced ever since.

“They just instill confidence in me,” said Hopkins of the Rays.
“Tell me to be an athlete and let my athleticism take over. Throw everything down the middle, make it presentable and let my shapes do what they do.”

The shapes are working. Hopkins has struck out 98 over 80 innings at AA Montgomery, and his ERA (3.35) mirrors his 2024 numbers in A-ball.

“Being here, looking around, it’s crazy,” he said of the Futures Game.
“I couldn’t have told you two years ago that this was where I’d be.”

With a fastball in the mid-90s and a slider that’s devastating against right-handers, Hopkins could crack Tampa Bay’s bullpen before long—even if his long-term profile remains that of a starter.

“I’m not going to say I’m going to get there tomorrow,” he said.
“But when that day happens, it’s going to be pretty exciting.”

The Edge of Arrival

For these players, the Futures Game is more than a showcase. It’s a snapshot of potential—of who they are and what they’re about to become. As the trade deadline looms and postseason ambitions rise, these names could soon be on major league scoreboards, not just prospect lists.

They’re close. Very close. And the baseball world is watching.

As the dust settles on the MLB All-Star Futures Game, the spotlight lingers not just on the performance—but on the promise. These rising stars, from Wetherholt’s blazing speed to Ford’s quiet poise behind the plate, reflect the future taking shape in real time. With rosters shifting, trade winds swirling, and playoff stakes rising, each of these prospects stands just a breath away from the majors. The Futures Game has done its part—now, the next chapter belongs to the big leagues, where talent must meet timing, and dreams meet reality.

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