Mike Soroka and Ronald Acuna named to the World team for the Futures Game

The Futures Game is a game that is a part of the All-Star break festivities where teams representing the US and the World compete against each other. The teams are comprised of the top prospects in the league and it is, for the most part, based on their performances in a given year in addition to, of course, whether or not they are from the U.S. or not.

The game is a fascinating showcase that lets the best of the best prospects (regardless of league or level) compete against another. The World team roster is predictably loaded and features four teenagers which, in itself, is kinda crazy. Two of those teenagers will be Braves prospects who have been laying waste to the Southern League in Double-A.

It is honestly not that surprising that both Soroka and Acuna made the Futures Game as both have been lights out and outperforming expectations all season long. Ronald Acuna, who originally hails from Venezuela, was aggressively promoted earlier this season from High-A to Double-A and he has been terrorizing the Southern League with his 5-tool skillset. He has slashed .304/.356/.474 this season with 8 home runs, 42 RBIs, and 30 stolen bases while playing all three outfield positions well.

The Canadian-born Soroka has been as good if not better on the pitching side. In addition to showing off arguably the best command in the minor leagues, Soroka’s stuff has taken a step forward and his changeup has improved to the point where in many games he is borderline unhittable. He has posted a 2.18 ERA in 14 starts in Double-A with 71 strikeouts and just 17 walks in 82.2 innings in 2017.