Texas Rangers top prospect shines in MLB All-Star Futures game

The Texas Rangers signed Emiliano Teodo for $10,000 in the 2019-20 international free agent signing window and in the ensuing years he’s risen to become the 14th best prospect in the Rangers farm system.

On Saturday, in the MLB ALl-Star Week Futures Game, he showed why the Rangers made a wise investment.

After a standout start to the 2024 season for the Double-A Frisco Roughriders where he sported a 5-2 record with a 1.71 ERA, Teodo earned the start on the mound for the American League at Globe Life Field.

Teodo continued his torrid start, throwing two scoreless and hitless innings with a strikeout in only 14 pitches against some of the best minor league talent in the National League including last year’s No. 2 overall draft pick Dylan Crews.

Teodo excelled against players who were thought to have a higher pedigree because of their draft status but said that’s not something he concerns himself with.

“That doesn’t go into my mentality, the bonus doesn’t make a baseball player. We’re all equal,” said Teodo,” Batters, pitchers, it’s all the same, I just come here to do my job.”

“Yes it gives me motivation, If I would have signed for more money I probably would have been a different person. I’m very humbled to be here.,” said Teodo.

Teodo admitted he was nervous and super emotional going up to the mound to start but was at his best once the game began.

The Futures game showcases the best talent in the minor leagues in a seven-inning exhibition.

The Texas Rangers had two other top-ranked prospects participating; shortstop Sebastian Walcott (No. 1), pitcher and pitcher Winston Santos (No. 15)

Santos was signed in the same class for $10,000 and had a stellar season for the High-A Hickory Crawdads with a 6-3 record with a 2.83 ERA.

Santos came on in the seventh inning and gave up one unearned run off one hit with a walk and a wild pitch.

Teodo spoke about the bond between him and Santos after the game.

“He’s a workhorse so at the end of the day, we work hard together and we’re good friends,” said Teodo, “I wish for him to continue to keep working and one day together we’ll make the big leagues.”

Walcott got the start at shortstop for the AL and went 0-for-2 but did reach base on an error. The shortstop will also participate in the first-ever Futures Skills Showcase which immediately follows the Futures game.

The players were split into National and American league teams and were coached by a number of Rangers greats including Michael Young and soon-to-be Pro Baseball Hall of Famer Adrian Beltre.

Before the game, Young said both he and Beltre were out to do more than have fun.

“[Beltre] already told me he’s 2-0 and he intends to go 3-0, so I don’t think either one of us would do this thing if once the game started we didn’t want to win it,” said Young.

The scoring was opened by Cincinnati Reds prospect Cam Collier, winner of the game’s Larry Doby MVP award, who hit a solo home run in the third inning to give the NL their first lead of the game which they would hold for the remainder of the game in their 6-1 victory over the AL spoiling Beltre’s bid to win three straight as manager.