Two Australian pitchers will feature in the 2018 All-Star Futures Game at Nationals Park in Washington next Monday (Australian time).
Left-handed pitchers Lewis Thorpe (Minnesota Twins) and Alex Wells (Baltimore Orioles) have been selected for the World Team against a US Team.
Thorpe and Wells will become the 12th and 13th Australians to feature in the annual showcase game featuring the top Minor League prospects.
Luke Prokopec, Grant Balfour, John Stephens, Brad Thomas, Justin Huber, Travis Blackley, Trent Oeltjen, Rich Thompson, Luke Hughes and Liam Hendriks have all gone on to reach the Big Leagues after taking part in the showcase game.
Thorpe and Wells will be hoping to follow in their footsteps.
Wells is currently the eighth-ranked prospect in the Baltimore system while Thorpe is 11th in the Twins organisation.
In 16 MiLB games this season, Wells has compiled a 3-6 record with 4.13 ERA.
Thorpe holds a 4.03 ERA and 4-4 record in 17 appearances.
The World Team will be led by three-time World Series Champion and 10-time All-Star David Ortiz.
Torii Hunter – a five-time All-Star and veteran of 19 MLB seasons – will manage the US Team.
The 20th edition of the game will be played as part of the MLB All-Star Week.
Australians in the All-Star Futures Game:
1999 – Luke Prokopec
2000 – Craig Anderson & Brad Thomas
2001 – Grant Balfour
2002 – John Stephens & Justin Huber
2003 – Travis Blackley & Justin Huber
2005 – Justin Huber
2006 – Trent Oeltjen
2007 – Rich Thompson
2008 – Luke Hughes
2010 – Liam Hendriks
2011 – Liam Hendriks
Australians in the All-Star Futures Game:
1999 – Luke Prokopec
2000 – Craig Anderson & Brad Thomas
2001 – Grant Balfour
2002 – John Stephens & Justin Huber
2003 – Travis Blackley & Justin Huber
2005 – Justin Huber
2006 – Trent Oeltjen
2007 – Rich Thompson
2008 – Luke Hughes
2010 – Liam Hendriks
2011 – Liam Hendriks