The rosters for the upcoming SiriusXM Radio Futures Game were released Thursday and the Cubs will be represented by two of its top prospects.
C Kyle Schwarber and RHP Carl Edwards Jr. were named to the U.S. Team.
The SiriusXM Radio Futures Game is part of the All-Star Game festivities and will take place on Sunday, July 12 at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati. Ken Griffey Sr. was named the manager of the U.S. Team and Hall of Famer Tony Perez will manage the World Team.
Double-A Tennessee’s hitting coach, Desi Wilson will be on Ken Griffey Sr.’s staff for the game.
The U.S. Team’s roster reads like a who’s who in minor league baseball and features RHP Mark Appel, RHP Lucas Giolito, RHP Aaron Nola, LHP Blake Snell, Josh Bell, J.P. Crawford, Trea Turner, Aaron Judge and Bradley Zimmer. The World Team is highlighted by Gary Sanchez, Raul Mondesi, Manuel Margot and Yorman Rodriguez.
Kyle Schwarber will be able to participate in an All-Star Game after all. Schwarber earned a spot in the Southern League All-Star Game before his pit stop in the big leagues and promotion to Triple-A Iowa. Schwarber batted .320/.438/.579 in 58 games for Double-A Tennessee prior to his call-up. Schwarber had 10 doubles, a triple and 13 home runs for a 1.017 OPS. In 243 plate appearances, Schwarber walked 42 times with 49 strikeouts.
Schwarber impressed Joe Maddon and his staff during his six-game pit stop. Schwarber was 8-for-22 (.364/.391/.591) with a home run, a triple, six RBI, six runs scored and a .982 OPS. Schwarber was optioned to Triple-A Iowa June 22.
Carl Edwards Jr. started the year as C.J. Edwards and in Double-A Tennessee’s bullpen. Edwards Jr. made 13 relief appearances for the Smokies and posted a 2-2 record with a 2.66 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP. In 23 2/3 innings, Edwards Jr. gave up 12 runs, seven earned, on 11 hits with 36 strikeouts and 17 walks.
Edwards Jr. has shown steady improvement since being promoted to Triple-A Iowa. The hard-throwing right hander has appeared in seven games for the I-Cubs and in 11 innings he has allowed four runs on five hits with 12 strikeouts and eight walks. Take out his Triple-A debut, and he has allowed two runs on four hits with five walks and 12 strikeouts in 10 innings (1.80 ERA, 0.90 WHIP).
Kyle Schwarber and Carl Edwards Jr. are on the 40-man roster and figure to see time with the big league team late in the season as the Cubs push for a spot in the tournament.
• Kyle Schwarber’s Page on Baseball-Reference
• Carl Edwards Jr. Page on Baseball-Reference
Kyle Schwarber is from Middletown, OH, which is about 45 minutes north of Cincinnati and will be able to share the honor of participating in the game with his family and friends.