Minnesota Twins prospects shine at MLB All-Star Futures Game

The Minnesota Twins were represented well at the MLB All-Star Futures Game as Royce Lewis and Jordan Balazovic put together a strong performance in the showcase.

The Minnesota Twins are in a great situation as an organization as their major league club is succeeding and there is still plenty of talent in their minor league system. At Sunday night’s MLB All-Star Futures Game, some of the younger talents had a chance to show their potential as Royce Lewis and Jordan Balazovic represented the Twins as part of the American League roster.

Sunday’s game had a pitchers duel feel to it as neither lineup could get going in the early innings. It would take 19 batters before the game had its first hit and when Lewis entered the game late, the National League had a 2-0 lead.

Lewis’ first at-bat would come in the bottom of the sixth inning, and the No. 1 overall pick in the 2017 MLB Draft, would pound a single through the right side of the infield for a single. Although he would get to third base, the AL couldn’t drive him in and the game remained scoreless as Balazovic took his turn on the mound.

The 20-year old pitcher would come onto the mound in the top of the seventh inning and start showing his stuff that has helped him have a dominating season between Low-A Cedar Rapids and High-A Fort Myers. Balazovic would get the first two outs easily, but a chopper would eat up Lewis and find its way into left field in what would be charged an error to the shortstop.

Even with the error, Lewis was still one of the stars of the telecast as he was miced up. After the error, he would lament the hop and say that he “let his guy down” referring to Balazovic. Fortunately, Atlanta’s Cristian Pache would get caught stealing moments later to end the inning.

Texas’ Sam Huff would blast a two-run homer to help the American League tie the game in the bottom of the seventh and Lewis would have a moment that reminded him of MLB The Show with a chance to deliver a walk-off hit with two men on. Unfortunately, San Diego’s Luis Patino would strike out Lewis to send the game into extra innings in the seven-inning format.

Neither team would score in the eighth and the game would end in a 2-2 tie. Although neither Twin would have a major impact in the game, both displayed some of the traits that make them top prospects in the organization and should have fans excited about their debut down the road.