HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — Major League Baseball's premiere showcase of Minor League talent will feature a pair of Trash Pandas. Infielder Kyren Paris and catcher Edgar Quero were named to the 2023 MLB All-Star Futures Game.
This is the 24th edition of the Futures Game. The event recognizes the best Minor League players both American and internationally-born talent. After playing in a U.S.-versus-World format for the first 18 games, the event was switched to a National League-versus-American League format in 2019. Paris and Quero will play for Team A.L. as they're part of the Los Angeles Angels' organization. They're two of the Angels' top-eight prospects (Quero #2, Paris #8).
Paris is batting .234 with .354 On Base Percentage (OBP) and a .406 Slugging. He's second on the team in hits (57). He's third on the team in Runs Batted In (RBI, 29) and first in Runs Scored (39).
“Reaching the Future Game has been a goal of mine for a long time and to achieve that goal is special for me,” Paris said in a team release. “It’s an honor to represent the Angels while playing amongst some of the top talent in the game.”
Quero has come on strong in his first year in the Rocket City. He's hitting .244 with a .386 OBP and .333 SLG. But for as much as he's contributed offensively, he's shined on defense. The Pandas' catcher picked off two runners and earned the team's Plays of the Week honors.
“It’s a blessing,” Quero said in a team release. “I feel great to be named to the Future Game to represent my team and my country. It’s going to be a lot of fun.”
“This is a testament to both of their abilities and their characters. They’ve both been solid for us in the first half,” manager Andy Schatzley said in a team release. “We’re really excited for this opportunity for them to play on that stage and we feel like both of their best baseball is still in front of them.”
First pitch is scheduled for 6 pm Central on Saturday, July 8 from T-Mobile Park in Seattle. The game will be broadcast on Peacock. The full rosters can be found here.
The Pandas just concluded the first half of their 2023 season, finishing with a 31-38 record. They ended in fourth place in the Southern League's North Division. The second act of the season begins Wednesday, June 28 at 7:05 in Birmingham against the in-state rival Barons.