NEW YORK -- It wasn't the most exciting Futures Game in recent history, but then again, today wasn't really about the game. It was about the players. The league's brightest prospects gathered together to greet the media, put on a show for the fans, and take in Yankee Stadium.

I was privileged once again to attend today's event as "working media." Player access was somewhat limited (that seems to be a theme lately), but I did get to talk to a few people and take a bunch of photos during batting practice and warmups. Here's a little synopsis of today's festivivities...

- Our own Matt LaPorta was the star attraction today. Had this game taken place 2 weeks ago, things would be a lot different. But good for Matt. He deserves the attention.

- There were far less fans at today's game than at the Futures Game in Detroit in 2005. I can't understand or explain that one. Maybe the ticket prices drove people away.

- The usual suspects were all in attendance...Peter Gammons and Steve Phillips of ESPN, John Manuel and Will Lingo from Baseball America, Jeff Passan from Yahoo Sports, etc.

- I got to meet John Blundell, Manager of Media Relations for MLB, and he was a really, really nice guy. It's amazing what he accomplishes with so many people breathing down his neck.

- After the crowd finally moved away from LaPorta, I got a chance to say hi to Matt. He showed a look of relief and gave me a big man hug. That actually felt pretty special! I told him he's like a rock star now. He laughed and said "It's been crazy, but this is pretty fun!" I agreed. Matt promised we'll talk more after he gets settled back in Akron.

- Speaking of hot commodities, Erin Andrews is well, one of those. ESPN has done something right over the past few years.

- The more events I attend as "working media," the less I want to be a journalist...not that I ever wanted to be a journalist or beat reporter. I know this may get me in trouble, but the more journalists and reporters I meet in person, the more I understand player frustrations with members of the media who know nothing about playing the game. You get where I'm going with this? Granted, it's not everyone, but you get the picture.

- Call me crazy, but I don't understand all the fuss about Yankee Stadium. So legends played there. Big deal. Legends played everywhere. Maybe I've been to Yankee Stadium too many times that it just bores me now.

 

- Oh, and one other thing about Yankee Stadium and the planning for this week...for all the money that has been put into this event, MLB and NYC could have done a better job of setting up promotions, activities, and vendors in the South Bronx. Sure, there are a few billboards and posters, but a little more flair wouldn't hurt.

- The legendary Ozzie Smith came out to take infield practice with the U.S. team. He still moves around pretty well. I don't think he'll be doing flips again anytime soon, but he made all the plays on balls hit in his vicinity.

- Not that he needs me to pump him up, but the ball REALLY jumps off the bat of Milwaukee prospect Mat Gamel. The sound of contact was different from any other player I watched today.

- Another guy you probably never heard of that showed a nice stroke at the plate was Arizona's Jamie D'antona. The 26 year-old really isn't much of a prospect, but he has a nice little stroke at the plate. I could see him contributing to a team at the big league level.

- Did I mention that Erin Andrews looks good? Maybe we can make her the Official Pinup Girl of BDD a la Aaron Gleeman. Oh, that's Peter Gammons there on the right if you somehow moved your focus off Ms. Andrews.

- Yankees GM Brian Cashman made an appearance and every reporter seem to rush over to him. He's a lot smaller than I expected him to be.

Well that about wraps it up for today. Enjoy the All-Star Game everyone, and we'll see you back after the break!

Red Sox right-hander prospect Michael Bowden was placed on Double-A Portland's disabled list with a sore calf. Bowden reportedly is not injured and the move was done to the Sea Dogs could activate fellow starter Dustin Richardson.

The New Hampshire Union Leader reports Bowden, Boston's seventh-ranked prospect by Baseball America, will be promoted to Triple-A Pawtucket following the Eastern League All-Star Game on Wednesday.

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Red Sox left-hander prospect Dustin Richardson threw five innings, struck out four and gave up one run in his return from a disabled list stint with a sore left shoulder. Boston's 22nd-ranked prospect by Baseball America has 69 strikeouts in 65.6 innings with Double-A Portland.

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Braves left-hander prospect Chad Rodgers was placed on Low-A Rome's disabled list with a left shoulder strain. Atlanta’s 16th-ranked prospect by Baseball America has two wins and ten losses through 14 starts in the South Atlantic League.

Tigers shortstop prospect Cale Iorg has not played for High-A Lakeland since injuring his shoulder on Thursday. Detroit is awaiting test results on the right shoulder of its second-ranked prospect according to Baseball America.  

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Rays prospects right-hander Wade Davis and catcher John Jaso will be promoted on Monday to Triple-A Durham from Double-A Montgomery. The promotion of Tampa Bay's fourth and 13th-ranked prospects by Baseball America will follow the Southern League All-Star Game on Monday.

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Diamondbacks right-hander prospect Max Scherzer will throw two or three bullpen sessions following the Pacific Coast League All-Star break before returning from the disabled list. Arizona's fourth-ranked prospect by Baseball America hasn't pitched for Triple-A Tucson since June 15.

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Ranger right-hander prospect Michael Main was promoted to Low-A Clinton from the Arizona League. Texas' sixth-ranked prospect by Baseball America evokes comparisons to Bret Saberhagen for his slight-build, plus-plus arm strength, intelligences, and determination.

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The Astros' first-round draft pick catcher Jason Castro signed a contract with a $2 million bonus and was assigned to short season Low-A Tri-Cities. The tenth overall pick in June's First-Year Player Draft starred at Stanford and in the Cape Cod League before going pro.

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The Tiger's first-round draft pick right-hander Ryan Perry signed a contract with a $1.48 million bonus and was assigned to the Gulf Coast League. The 21st pick in June’s First-Year Player Draft threw a 95 to 96 mile per hour fastball while at the University of Arizona.

Here are your starting lineups for today's Futures Game at Yankee Stadium. You can watch the game live on ESPN2 starting at 12:30 PM. I'll be in attendance at the event and will have news, notes, quotes, and photos later this afternoon.

U.S. All-Stars
LF Andrew McCutchen (PIT)
2B Cliff Pennington (OAK)
3B Mat Gamel (MIL)
DH Jamie D'Antona (ARI)
RF Nate Schierholtz (SF)
1B Matt LaPorta (CLE)
CF Dexter Fowler (COL)
C Lou Marson (PHI)
SS Jason Donald (PHI)

P Clayton Richard (CWS)

World All-Stars
2B Ivan DeJesus (LAD)
SS Elvis Andrus (TEX)
LF Wilkin Ramirez (DET)
1B Pablo Sandoval (SF)
3B Luke Hughes (MIN)
DH Scott Campbell (TOR)
CF Fernando Martinez (NYM)
C Welington Castillo (CHC)
RF Gorkys Hernandez (ATL)

P Carlos Carrasco (PHI)

The Indians assigned C.C. Sabathia trade prize Matt LaPorta to Double-A Akron. LaPorta will play left field and some first base for the Aeros. Left-handed Zach Johnson and right-hander Rob Bryson, other players named in the trade, were assigned to Triple-A Buffalo and Low-A Lake County respectively.

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Marlins top prospect Cameron Maybin will miss the Southern League All-Star Game with a back injury that has sidelined him since Thursday. Maybin has posted a solid, but not spectacular .825 OPS through 308 at bats with Double-A Carolina.

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Orioles right-hander prospect Chorye Spoone suffered a recurrence of the shoulder injury that sidelined him in April and was placed on Double-A Bowie's disabled list according to Baysox communications manager Tom Sedlacek. Baltimore's eighth-ranked prospect according to Baseball America was the MVP of the 2007 Carolina League championship won by Orioles High-A affiliate Frederick.

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Angels catching prospect Anel De Los Santos was promoted to Double-A Arkansas. Los Angeles's tenth-ranked prospect by Baseball America was bumped up despite his .438 OPS with Low-A Cedar Rapids.

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White Sox right-hander prospect Lucas Harrell was promoted to Double-A Birmingham. Harrell, Chicago's 15th-ranked prospect by Baseball America, returns to the Barons following a right shoulder injury, rehab in extended spring training, and stints at low-A Kannapolis and High-A Winston-Salem.

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Mets right-hander prospect Nick Carr was promoted to High-A St. Lucie. Carr had an 0 and 7 record in 12 starts with St. Lucie before he was sent down to Savannah earlier in the year.

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Brewers first base prospect Chris Errecart is having an MRI on a broken hand on Tuesday. Milwaukee's 29th-ranked prospect by Baseball America went on the disabled list on Sunday.

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Indians right-hander prospect Frank Herrmann's promotion to Triple-A Buffalo was for a spot-start and he has been returned to Double-A Akron.

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The Braves sent right-hander prospect Erik Cordier to Low-A Rome from extended spring training in Orlando.

Orioles right-hander prospect Kam Mickolio was promoted to Triple-A Norfolk from Double-A Bowie on Sunday. The 6'9" reliever from Bozeman, Montana was part of the off-season trade that sent Erik Bedard to Seattle and Adam Jones, Chris Tillman and Tony Butler to Baltimore.

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The Reds promoted third base prospect Neftali Soto from Rookie League Dayton to Low-A Billings and placed third base prospect Brandon Waring on Dayton's disabled list. Soto, Cincinnati’s 14th-ranked prospect by Baseball America was leading the Pioneer League in slugging percentage at .746. Waring, the Reds’ 23rd-ranked prospect by Baseball America, suffered a broken thumb on June 28.

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Angles catching prospect Bobby Wilson was placed on Triple-A Salt Lake City's disabled list with a broken thumb. Los Angeles’ 25th-ranked prospect by Baseball America made his major league debut with the Angeles on April 28.

Angles shortstop prospect Hainley Statia made his second trip to the disabled list this year with a strained right hamstring. Los Angeles' eleventh-ranked prospect by Baseball America had come off the disabled list two days earlier with the same injury.

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Yankees right-hander prospect Dellin Betances returned from the disabled list to the Low-A Charleston RiverDogs rotation on Friday. New York's 13th-ranked prospect by Baseball America had not pitched for Charleston since May 26.

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Indians right-hander prospect Frank Herrmann was promoted to Triple-A Buffalo from Double-A Akron. Cleveland’s 26th-ranked prospect by Baseball America joined the Indians' organization as a non-drafted free agent in 2005 after pitching collegiately at Harvard.

The San Diego Padres announced today that the club has signed infielder/outfielder Corey Adamson (Australia), shortstop Alvaro Aristy (Dominican Republic), outfielder Luis Domoromo (Venezuela), and right-handed pitchers Adis Portillo (Venezuela) and Elvin Tavarez (Dominican Republic).  Director of International Scouting/Major League Scout Randy Smith made the announcement.

A little bit about the prospects direct from the Padres...

Adamson, 16, is from Perth, Australia.  The 6-foot-1, 180-pound infielder/outfielder helped the Western Australia Under 16 team to the National Championship in January.  He paced all tournament batters with two home runs, 17 RBI, 12 runs scored, 26 total bases, a 1.040 slugging percentage and a .618 on-base percentage.  Adamson hit at a .520 clip, third-best among tournament leaders.  In 2007, he participated in Major League Baseball’s Australian Baseball Academy.  

“Corey is one of the best athletes to come out of Australia in recent history,” Smith said.  “He is a five-tool player with plus speed.”

The 16-year-old Aristy is a native of Bani, Dominican Republic.  The 6-foot, 165-pound shortstop is ranked sixth on ESPN’s Best Latino Prospects of 2008 list. Said Smith: “We see Alvaro as the best pure shortstop in Latin America, both with his defensive ability along with his consistency at the plate.” 

Domoromo, 16, is a 6-foot-1, 170-pound outfielder from Portuguesa, Venezuela.  He is ranked as the fifth-best Latino Prospect by ESPN. “Luis is one of the most complete position players available," said Smith.  "He has a sound approach at the plate and the ability to hit the ball to all fields.”

Portillo, 16, is ranked third on ESPN’s Best Latino Prospects of 2008 list.  He is a 6-2, 192-pound right-hander from Maracaibo, Venezuela. “One of the most complete pitchers in Latin America with a fastball that has reached 93, Adis has great mechanics with a strong mound presence and command of three pitches,” Smith said. 

The 16-year-old Tavarez is a 6-2, 170-pound right-handed pitcher from San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic.  He is ranked as the 10th-best Latino Prospect by ESPN. "Elvin is a well-built right-hander with a fastball that reaches 90 and good rotation on his curve ball.”  Smith said.

Today marks the start of the period when 16-year-old international players who will turn 17 prior to the end of 2009 minor league season are eligible sign with Major League clubs.