⭐️ All-Star Futures roster revealed

Today we cover:

• ⭐️ All-Star Futures roster revealed

• 🌕 Home Run Derby rule changes

• 🐯Tigers’ broadcaster taken off the air

• And More!

All-Star Futures roster revealed

MLB released rosters for the 2024 Futures Game on Tuesday. The game, a seven-inning exhibition featuring a cadre of baseball’s top prospects, will take place Saturday, July 13 in Arlington, Texas as part of All-Star Weekend.

The rosters include 33 Top 100 MLB prospects, headlined by James Wood, although it’s unlikely he participates after the Nationals called him up to the majors on Monday. Fellow Washington outfielder Dylan Crews is the next best prospect, and joins Padres C Ethan Salas as the most notable National League participants.

The American League roster features four of baseball’s 20 best prospects, headlined by White Sox LHP Noah Schultz and SS Colson Montgomery, Red Sox SS Marcelo Mayer and Orioles C Samuel Basallo.

Home Run Derby rule changes

The league announced changes to the All-Star staple on Monday, tinkering with the tournament system it first implemented in 2015. The main tweaks will limit the number of pitches each hitter can face in each round and reconfigure the opening round of the event.

In the first round and the semifinals, each hitter will either get 40 pitches or spend three minutes at the plate -- whichever occurs first. Those numbers will shrink to 27 pitches and two minutes for the final round. Hitters will also get bonus pitches until they hit into three outs during the period, and a fourth out is given if the batter hits at least one home run that travels at least 425 feet during the period.

The previous Home Run Derby format featured a time limit but did not restrict the number of pitches a contestant could face.

The other major change coming to the derby involves the opening round. Instead of head-to-head quarterfinal match ups, all eight contestants will compete against one another in the first round with the top four finishers moving on.