The All-Star Futures Game is the newest of the All-Star week events*, as it is celebrating its 27th year** in 2026. Much like the All-Star Game itself, the moments in the games themselves are not nearly as important as the season/career that led to a selection to the team in the first place.
Since its inception, 40 Mets’ farmhands have been selected to play in the Futures Game, both in its original ‘USA vs the World’ format and the current American League/National League matchup. Let’s look at how
those selections panned out for the Mets, in terms of the players developing into something special.
The footnotes
Jorge Toca (1999) and Grant Roberts (2000) each played for parts of a few seasons with the Mets, but never went anywhere and didn’t play for another big league club. You may remember backup catchers Kevin Plawecki (2014) and Tomás Nido (2017), both of whom were good, not great, backups for the Mets for a number of seasons. Royce Ring (2003) had some nice years pitching out of the Mets’ bullpen. Mike Vasil got claimed in the 2024 Rule 5 Draft by the Phillies. Jenry Mejia (2009) was done in by PED charges and suspended for life in 2016. Though he was eventually reinstated, his effectiveness was long-since sapped.
The trade chips
Alex Escobar ( 2000 and 2001) played 18 games for the Mets in 2001 before being part of the trade to Cleveland for Roberto Alomar ahead of the 2002 season. Jae Weong Seo (2001) was a decent starter for the Mets as they transitioned out of the Art Howe-era and was part of the trade that brought in Duaner Sánchez. Deolis Guerra (2007), Justin Huber (2002 and 2003) and Kevin Mulvey (2007) were part of the haul of prospects the Twins got for Johan Santana in 2008. Yusimero Petit (2004 and 2005) was part of the trade for Carlos Delgado ahead of the 2006 season. Matt Lindstrom (2006) was part of the Jason Vargas trade (the first, non-embarrassing, time Vargas was a Met)
Jefrey Marte (2011) went to the A’s for Opening Day hero Colin Cowgill, while Anthony Kay (2019) went to the Blue Jays as part of the Marcus Stroman deal. Dilson Herrera made the Futures Game as a Pirate in 2013 before being traded to the Mets along with Vic Black for John Buck and Marlon Byrd. Herrera then made the Futures Game as a Met in 2016 before being dealt to the Reds for two-time Met Jay Bruce. Both Amed Rosario (2016 and 2017) and Andrés Giménez (2018) had decent Mets careers going before being dealt to the Guardians for Francisco Lindor. Brandon Sproat (2024) was part of the swap for Freddy Peralta and Tobias Myers, but don’t hold that against him.
The next big things that never were
Not all prospects work out, obviously, but some hurt more than others when their prospect status doesn’t accurately reflect their big league tenure for your club. Those names include Fernando Martinez (2007 and 2008), Lastings Milledge (2005), Rafael Montero (2013), Brett Baty (2021) and Mark Vientos (2022). While there still may be time for Baty and Vientos, only Montero thus far really took a step forward elsewhere after being a Futures Game selectee and having a disappointing Mets career.
The stars
Not all of these are necessarily superstars (though some are), but the Mets have had 11players in the 27 years of the Futures Game that could be unequivocally called successes as Mets: Pete Alonso (2018), Michael Conforto (2015), Jeurys Familia (2010), Wilmer Flores (2009 and 2012), Matt Harvey (2011), Brandon Nimmo (2013 and 2015), José Reyes (2022), Dominic Smith (2016), Noah Syndergaard (2013 and 2014), Zack Wheeler (2012) and David Wright (2004). Of all of those, only José Reyes has won the Larry Doby Award, aka the MVP of the Futures game (2002).
The unknowns
It is still too early to say how the careers of Francisco Alvarez (2021 and 2022), Jonah Tong (2025), Carson Benge (2025), and Ryan Clifford (2026) will be in the long run, but Alvarez and Benge are currently on the Mets’ MLB roster and doing well for themselves. Will Tong and Clifford join them in the next year or so? Let’s hope so.
* the draft is newer to All-Star Weekend, but is a much older event
** there was no Futures Game in the COVID-19 shortened 2020 season
