The New Balance Baseball Future Stars Series had another banner showing at the MLB Draft, with a stunning nine first-rounders having come through including signature event standouts like Zion Rose and Ace Reese.
Rose, who went sixth overall to the Kansas City Royals in a pick that has a reported slot value of $7,746,100, has a lengthy history with us; he first earned his way to the big stage with a strong showing at the 2022 National Combine, going on to play in both the Main Event and that year’s Caribbean Classic as one of the leaders of the memorable “Goon Squad” that won that event in dominant fashion. After a highly-decorated collegiate career at the University of Louisville in which he emerged as one of the top outfielders in the country after spending the majority of his prep days behind the plate, he ended up going at No. 6 this past week.
Reese wasn’t a “big name” on the amateur circuit at the time we saw him in 2022; like Rose, Reese earned his way to the Main Event after his efforts at the National Combine in Lake Charles, Louisiana. After time at the University of Houston — the host of one day of the most recent National Combine — he then transferred to Mississippi State — which will host our upcoming Underclass Elite, Underclass Premier and Fresh 50 — and put together a stellar collegiate career. Reese went No. 24 overall to Seattle and has reportedly signed for a slightly under-slot $3.5 million signing bonus that will allow him to begin his pro career immediately.
Grady Emerson, Jackson Flora, Jacob Lombard, Logan Hughes, Justin Lebron, Cade Townsend and Tyler Spangler make up the other seven first-rounders with some form of an FSS tie.
With the new format of the Draft, there were more first-day picks to be had. Notably, Cole Prosek went at No. 41 to the Chicago White Sox, the Mariners also took Jake Brown at No. 65 and the Detroit Tigers grabbed Dominic Pellegrin with the 125th overall pick.
We saw Brown a ton at National Touraments, Combines and then the 2022 Main Event before he went on to star at LSU, but it’s Prosek and Pellegrin we’ve had very recent looks at.
Prosek memorably homered at our Caribbean Classic presented by Draftline, while Pellegrin was something of a hit machine at the Main Event before also making the trip down south to the Dominican.
Second day picks? We’ve got those. Lots. Too many to mention here, truthfully. Some to keep an eye on?
How about the Athletics with a steal at No. 143 on Georgia Tech’s Alex Hernandez? The Mets grabbing Luke McNeillie and the Orioles taking Zane Adams about 20 picks apart…or Jack Brenner and Eric Guevara heading to the Braves and Marlins within minutes of each other. Tre Phelps was another steal, this one for the Pirates at No. 258, followed by the Braves doubling down with another FSS alum at 262 in Parker Brosius. Other signature event names you may remember include Tai Jones (263, Rays), Cody New (343, Dodgers), Griffin Stieg (378, Pirates), Damarcus Rideout-Carter (408, Pirates), Ethan Sutton (493, Dodgers) and Alex Kranzler (pictured) (514, Red Sox) among a very long list of players we’ve seen quite a bit heading to their respective big league organizations.
Add in some teams swooping with some UDFA signings — Tyler Minnick to the Phillies and John Alkire to the Cubs are among several notables — and we continue to have a strong presence this time of year and beyond.
About New Balance Future Stars Series
New Balance Future Stars Series is a global platform for amateur baseball development and scouting, powered by a commitment to impact, integrity, and player-focused innovation. Its alumni can be found throughout professional baseball, and its events and partnerships have reshaped how talent is identified, nurtured, and celebrated.
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Since 2003, he has six World Series and has worked high-profile events ranging from the MLB All-Star Game to the World Baseball Classic. In addition to his role working for the Future Stars Series that he's held since 2017, Ashmore currently serves as the beat writer of the Double-A New York Yankees affiliate, the Somerset Patriots, as well as national hockey writer and New York Jets game day beat reporter for The Trentonian.
A regular contributor to Baseball America, Ashmore has worked eight Super Bowls, 13 Stanley Cup Finals, the 4 Nations Face-Off, the NBA Playoffs, the NCAA D1 Men's Basketball Tournament, College Football Playoff National Championship Game, Frozen Four, Daytona 500, major UFC events and much more as he approaches 3,300 games covered in his career.
An avid trading card enthusiast and motorsports fan, he lives with his wife, Sarah, their son, future No. 1 overall draft pick in 2042, William, their beloved dog, Bailey, and occasionally well-behaved cat, Smokey.
