Orioles prospects Jackson Holliday and Heston Kjerstad selected to MLB Futures Game

The MLB released the rosters for 2023 MLB Futures Game who'll play on July 8th at T-Mobile Park in Seattle. Two Baby Birds made the AL team.

It's not a surprise that Jackson Holliday is a special player. The first pick from 2022 MLB Draft has played brilliant since his pro debut. The shortstop is the #1 prospect in baseball per MLB Pipeline and his outstanding numbers (.325/.463/.531, 7 HR, 47 RBI, 56 R, 20 SB, 57:57 K:BB) make his selection a formality.

Heston Kjerstad has continued to impress since his pro debut last year. The second pick from 2020 MLB Draft jumped from Low A to Triple A in less than a year. His production has gained some attention in the majors and he'll play alongside his peers from the same class, like Nick Yorke.

A large reason for Kjerstad's meteoric jump was playing in the Arizona Fall League after the 2022 season ended. Playing for the Scottsdale Scorpions, Kjerstad had a .357/.385/.622 line in the AFL, leading him to be named MVP following the conclusion of league play.

A piece of information per Nathan Ruiz from The Baltimore Sun: if Adley Rutschman will be part of AL All-Star Team this year, Colton Cowser will be the only first round pick from Elias regime who hasn't traveled to the All Star Week festivities. Former Elias first round picks Rutschman (2021) and Gunnar Henderson (2022) played in the Futures Game in Colorado and Los Angeles respectively.

The MLB Futures Game will be the kickstart for the All-Star activites, will include the MLB Draft on Sunday, Home Run Derby and MLB Softball Celebrity Game on Monday and the MLB All-Star Game on Tuesday.

About the All-Star team, Adley is the finalist for AL catcher. Let's vote for him to start for AL.