Photo: Philliedelphia/Kevin Durso
The Phillies had two representatives in yesterday's MLB All-Star Futures game, held in Cincinnati ahead of this season's Major League All-Star Game. The Phillies two biggest prospects, pitcher Aaron Nola and shortstop J.P. Crawford, represented the Phillies organization. The match-up is categorized by "Team USA" (players drafted and developed in the United States) and "World", players signed as free agents that were not subject to the amateur draft.
J.P. Crawford had two at bats for Team USA. Crawford went 1 for 2 in his second future game appearance. Crawford's single up the middle drove in a run. On Philly.com, in a piece by John Smallwood, Crawford had a good feeling going forward:
"Defensively and offensively, I'm getting better. I've cut down on my strikeouts. I'm eliminating my errors. I feel real good about myself."
The other Phillies representative at the Futures Game did not play.
Aaron Nola was named but did not pitch because he started on Friday and the team felt that the rest would be better for him. In the same Smallwood Philly.com piece, Nola said he was disappointed.
"Sure, it's disappointing because of course I wanted to pitch [in the Futures Game]," he said, "but with having pitched two nights ago, that wasn't a good idea.
But Nola will probably have his chance in the Major Leagues soon.
Jim Salisbury of CSN Philly suggested yesterday that once trade deadline deals are made, Nola could join the big club:
Can Nola be far away?
The Phillies definitely want to look at Nola in the majors before the season is out. Amaro has said as much. The guess here is that the 22-year-old right-hander will be promoted sometime in the next couple of weeks, possibly in tandem with a trade-deadline move.
I think that fans and Nola would be satisfied with that.
