Phillies prospects Cozens, Pinto are headed to Futures Game; Jim Thome will be hitting coach

As the voting for the 2016 MLB All-Star game comes to a close, the minor leagues are getting set for their own action:  The 2016 Futures Game.  The Futures Game showcases some of the top minor league talent heading to the Major Leagues.  The Phillies will have two representatives this season, alongside a Phillies alumnus filling a very important role. Outfielder Dylan Cozens and pitcher Ricardo Pinto will be the Phillies representatives in this year's game, while former Phillies first baseman Jim Thome will serve as hitting coach.

Cozens is currently leading the Eastern League with 20 home runs and 60 runs batted in for the Reading Fightin' Phils.  Cozens has a ways to go before matching Darin Ruf's Reading home run record of 38, but is on pace to get close.   Cozens is ranked the Phillies 22nd-best prospect on the MLB Pipeline, but may have played his way into moving up along the ranks of Phillies prospects.

Pinto, also with the Reading Fightin' Phils, is currently 3-3 with a 4.56 earned run average.  Despite not having overwhelming numbers, Pinto makes the team as one of top pitching prospects on the World team.   Pinto is currently ranked the Phillies' 10th best prospect on the MLB Pipeline.

Thome was rumored to be in consideration for various coaching vacancies in Major League baseball, but he reportedly declined to accept a full-time role.   Thome will serve as hitting coach for this one-day event for the U.S. Futures team, however.  Despite turning down coaching vacancies, Thome is rumored to want to manage in the Major Leagues one day.   Since retirement, Thome has served as a special assistant to the general manager for the Chicago White Sox.

The Futures Game will take place on Sunday, June 10 in San Diego, California at Petco Park prior to the MLB All-Star game festivities.