Jean Segura Picked to Futures Game- Does it Matter?

The Futures Game rosters were announced today. If you’ve never heard of the Futures game, its an All-Star game of the top prospects from each organization. You’re not going to see a 32 yr old guy who’s dominating at AAA who’s never done anything in the majors. You’re going to see some of the top prospects in each organization who you’ve heard of but probably never seen. Guys like Dylan Bundy, Trevor Bauer and Wil Myers just to name a few. The Angels had one prospect selected, shortstop Jean Segura.

Segura is a twenty two year old shortstop who’s playing for AA Arkansas right now. Segura was signed in January of 2007 as a free agent from the Dominican Republic. Segura was named to the AA All-Star Game this season. Segura this year is hitting .291 with five home runs, 31 RBI, a .331 OBP and 27 stolen bases. Segura stole 50 bases back in 2010 as well as having 161 hits which led the Midwest League. Segura was ranked as the 55^th overall prospect by MLB.COM prior to this season. Coming into this season, Segura was ranked as the second best prospect in the system behind Mike Trout and ahead of Garett Richards by Baseball America. Segura also has played second base, but was moved back to shortstop after missing most of last year with a torn hamstring.

Segura joins Trout, Hank Conger, Luis Jimenez and the late Nick Adenhart as Angels who have participated in the game. The game will be Sunday July 8^th at 2p ET 11a PT on ESPN2 in Kansas City. Angel fans can get a look at Segura and some players he will be facing in the future.

Just remember that just because you get selected to the Futures Game doesn’t mean it will lead to success as a big leaguer. Guys like Bobby Bradley, Kevin Cash, Alex Escobar and Drew Henson were picked for the game. Bradley never pitched in the majors. Drew Henson decided to play football instead. Kevin Cash is now a Blue Jays scout and had a career .195 average and Escobar had 13 career home runs. Be patient and let’s see what happens.