Justin Huber showed in the Futures Game why the Royals have already called him up. Nick Laham/Getty Images

By Mike Bornhorst, Special to SI.com

The Futures Game is in the past. On Sunday, Team World beat Team USA in a 4-0 game that featured pitching, pitching, and more pitching. And while the International Olympic Committee may feel otherwise, it's pretty clear from this weekend's Minor and Major League festivities that the game has never been more international.

Fantasy-wise, it doesn't matter that Shin-Soo Choo hit a home run, or that Justin Huber delivered a clutch hit. It's a nice bit of trivia, but nothing more. The information you should take from the game is who played rather than how they played. The Futures Game traditionally has a great track record of showcasing eventual Major League talent. So with this in mind, allow me to present to you the players invited to attend the 2005 Futures Game. Take notes, these are the rookies who'll be getting preseason hype in 2006.

Team United States

You can't go wrong from this collection of talent. However, some of the players have clearer paths to the majors than others. Delmon Young, Jeremy Hermida, B.J. Upton, Conor Jackson, Daric Barton and Andy LaRoche are banging on the door now, and should spend time in Major League uniforms by the end of 2006.

Team United States Position Players

• Ryan Garko, C, Cleveland, Class AAA 
13 HR, 53 RBIs, 47 runs, 0 SB, .285 AVG, .366 OBP, .497 SLG

Blocked in just about every possible position in Cleveland, Garko's a nice player with an uncertain future.

• Chris Ianetta, C, Colorodo, Class A 
9 HR, 51 RBIs, 46 runs, .291 AVG, .401 OBP, .511 SLG

The Rocks haven't had much luck developing a decent catcher, so that works in Ianetta's favor. Still, he has at least two years of development ahead of him.

• Daric Barton, 1B, Oakland, Class AA
Class A: 8 HR, 52 RBIs, 0 SB, .318 AVG, .439 OBP, .469 SLG
Class AA: 1 HR, 4 RBIs, 0 SB, .563 AVG, .611 OBP, 1,000 SLG

When he jumps to the outfield he'll jump to the Majors very quickly.

• Conor Jackson, 1B, Arizona, Class AAA
7 HR, 63 RBIs, 58 runs, 3 SB, .373 AVG, .463 OBP, .568 SLG

His power numbers are still developing, but his peripheral numbers are fantastic. Grab him.

• Josh Barfield, 2B, San Diego, Class AAA 
8 HR, 36 RBIs, 41 runs, 10 SB, .281 AVG, .337 OBP, .388 SLG

Barfield's too up-and-down to be a reliable fantasy prospect. Remember, you only have so much room on your bench.

• Kevin Frandsen, 2B, San Francisco, Class AA
Class A: 2 HR, 40 RBIs, 13 SB, .351 AVG, .429 OBP, .467 SLG
Class AA: 0 HR, 2 RBIs, 1 SB, .154 AVG, .154 OBP, 154 SLG

Ray Durham can't play forever, can he? Oh, wait, the Giants love 40-year-olds. Frandsen could take a while to get regular playing time at the Big Leagues.

• Andy LaRoche, 3B, Los Angeles Dodgers
Class AA: 5 HR, 16 RBIs, .338 AVG, .417 OBP, .622 SLG
Class A: 21 HR, 51 RBIs, .333 AVG, .398 OBP, 710 SLG

Ohmigoodness, he is going to be good. A classic power-hitting third baseman. You'll wish you had him on your team in 2007.

• Scott Moore, 3B, Chicago Cubs, Class A
16 HR, 56 RBIs, 15 SB, .285 AVG, .355 OBP, .522 SLG

Moore's speed makes him an interesting prospect -- there aren't many players eligible at third with the potential to steal 30 bases. But he's still got a ways to go...

• B.J. Upton, SS, Tampa Bay, Class AAA
9 HR, 43 RBIs, 27 SB, .292 AVG, .377 OBP, .436 SLG

Why isn't Upton up already? Maybe because you have to catch as well as hit the ball at the Major League level.

• Brandon Wood, SS, Los Angeles, Angles, Class A
28 HR, 71 RBIs, 5 SB, .295 AVG, .357 OBP, .645

Twenty-eight homers in half a season from a shortstop! Pay attention to this guy. They have a deep club in Los Angeles, but somehow the talent always finds a way to get playing time.

• Jeremy Hermida, OF, Florida Marlins, Class AA
14 HR, 42 RBIs, 19 SB, .290 AVG, .442 OBP, .513 SLG

Miguel Cabrera lite. An everyday player in Florida in 2006.

• Lastings Milledge, OF, New York Mets, Class AA
Class A: 4 HR, 22 RBIs, 18 SB, .302 AVG, .385 OBP, .418 SLG
Class AA: Just Promoted

The jewel of the Mets farm system. It's not the best system out there, but he's the best player in it.

• Kevin Thompson, OF, New York Yankees, Class AAA
Class AA: 12 HR, 43 RBIs, 25 SB, .329 AVG, .432 OBP, .565 SLB
Class AAA: 1 HR, 2 RBIs, 4 SB, .296 AVG,  .406 OBP, .481 SLG

A little old for a prospect (25), but given that most Yankees are old enough to remember when Nixon was president, Thompson looks like a little leaguer. Hard to see the win-now Yanks using Thompson much in 2005, but Joe Torre has a way of getting major contributions from minor players.

• Chris Young, OF, Chicago White Sox, Class AA
18 HR, 49 RBIs, 17 SB, .261 AVG, .356 OBP, .525 SLG

Young is the reason the White Sox felt comfortable parting with Jeremy Reed. Power and speed and less than a year away.

• Delmon Young, OF, Tampa Bay, Class AA
20 HR, 71 RBIs, 25 SB, .336 AVG, .386 OBP, .582 SLG

Simply the best position prospect in the game. Enough said.

Team United States Pitchers

Young pitchers are always riskier choices when you're looking for keepers. One sore shoulder can cost a prospect months of development. This being said, if you're looking to add young arms to your team for next season target Detroit's Justin Verlander and Joel Zumaya, as well as Thomas Diamond from the Rangers' organization.

• Travis Bowyer, P, Minnesota, Class AAA
3-1, 18 Saves, 1.09 ERA, 66:25 K:BB

A great arm for a reliever, but with the Twins bullpen depth it's hard to project Bowyer as anything more than a middle reliever upon his arrival to the Bigs.

• Thomas Diamond, RHP, Texas, Class AA 
Class A: 8-0, 1.99 ERA, 101:31 K:BB
Class AA: 1-1, 3.60 ERA, 16:6 K:BB

Perhaps a full year away, but Diamond has the stuff to be an ace for the Rangers. Can't wait for all the baseball diamond puns sportswriters will grace us with in the coming years.

• Zach Jackson, LHP, Toronto, Class AA 
Class A: 8-1, 2.88 ERA, 48:6 K:BB
Class AA: 2-3, 5.08 ERA, 33:11 K:BB

A bump in the developmental road at Class AA suggests Jackson needs more time on the farm. Watch his progress before stashing him away on your bench.

• James Johnson, RHP, Baltimore, Class AA 
Class A: 7-4, 3.12 ERA, 106:41 K:BB
Class AA: Just Promoted

Having cleaned up Class A hitters, it remains to be seen how Johnson will respond at the higher levels. Two years away, maybe more.

• Anthony Lerew, RHP, Atlanta, Class AAA 
Class AA: 6-2, 3.93 ERA, 64:32 K:BB
Class AAA: 0-1, 2.75 ERA, 11:7 K:BB

He's a Braves pitching prospect, which gets anyone's attention. But Kyle Davies and Chuck James  are both higher on the organizational depth chart.

• Paul Maholm, LHP, Pittsburgh, Class AA
5-2, 3.01 ERA, 65:22 K:BB

After Zach Duke. After Ian Snell. Do you really want to go three-deep in the Pirates farm system to fish for a young pitcher?

• Troy Patton, LHP, Houston, Class A
5-2, 1.94 ERA, 94:20 K:BB

His age (19) and eventual ballpark (Houston) is enough to give pause, but Class A hasn't exactly been a struggle for Patton. He's pretty high on the organizational depth charts.

• Justin Verlander, RHP, Detroit, Class A 
Class A: 9-2, 1.67 ERA, 104:19 K:BB
Class AA: 1-0, 0.00 ERA, 18:3K:BB

The best pitching prospect in Detroit. Or does that honor belong to...

• Joel Zumaya, RHP, Detroit, Class AA
8-3, 2.77, ERA 143:52 K:BB

Hard to say. Both have shots at being front-of-the-rotation starters, and both should get auditions at the Major League level before the end of the year.

Team World

Team World was rich with players who've already enjoyed a cup of coffee at the big league level. Justin Huber, Shin-Shoo Choo and Edwin Encarnacion look to be major contributors with the Major League clubs in 2006. Kendry Morales' timetable is a little less certain, but he has the biggest star potential of the bunch. Keep an eye on how Nelson Cruz and Hanley Ramirez are used in their respective organizations. They have too much talent to stay blocked for long.

Team World Position Players

• Russ Martin, C, Los Angeles Dodgers, Class AA
5 HR, 43 RBIs, 8 SB, .319 AVG, .445 OBP, .428 SLG

Eh. But at the rate the Dodgers are going, Martin will be starting games and then playing shortstop on days he doesn't catch. What that team needs is a doctor, not another catcher.

• Miguel Montero, C, Arizona, Class A
24 HR, 82 RBIs, 1 SB, .349 AVG, .403 OBP, .625 SLG

Koyie Hill and Chris Snyder have another year to prove themselves, which is good, because Montero needs another year in the Minors to develop. He's a year away from being stash-worth on your bench.

• Justin Huber, 1B, Kansas City, Class AA
Class AA: 10 HR, 55 RBIs, 7 SB, .339 AVG, .435 OBP, .534 SLG
Majors: 0 HR, 3 RBIs, 0 SB, .250 AVG, .250 OBP, .333 SLG

Why would the Royals need another first baseman? They've got, oh wait, that's why... Huber's a great keeper in carryover leagues.

• Kendry Morales, 1B, Los Angeles Angles, Class AA 
Class A: 5 HR, 17 RBIs, 0 SB, .344 AVG, .400 OBP, .544 SLG
Class AA: 4 HR, 18 RBIs, 0 SB, .256 AVG, .299 OBP, .463 SLG

Roster shenanigans could land Morales on the Angles' postseason bench, but more likely he'll stay in the system this year with a chance to compete for a job in Spring 2006. He's going to be a good one.

• William Bergolla, 2B, Cincinnati, Class AAA
2 HR, 19 RBIs, 7 SB, .314 AVG, .345 OBP, .419 SLG

Speed. Speed. Speed.

• Hernan Iribarren, 2B, Milwaukee, Class A 
2 HR, 35 RBIs, 29 SB, .314 AVG, .370 OBP, .410 SLG

Um, Rickie Weeks just got here. Sorry.

• Jose Bautista, 3B, Pittsburgh, Class AA
12 HR, 56 RBIs, 6 SB, .305 AVG, .375 OBP, .493 SLG

Needs another year in the minors, but there are no roadblocks in the Pirates' system to stall Bautista when he's ready.

• Edwin Encarnacion, 3B, Cincinnati, Class AAA
Class AAA: 13 HR, 47 RBIs, 6 SB, .293 AVG, .374 OBP, .512 SLG

Introducing your starting third baseman in Cincinnati in 2006 -- Joe Randa (again). The Reds don't seem to be as high on Encarnacion as they should be. Still, the smart money's on the youngster getting the job, but he's no sure-thing.

• Yuniesky Betancourt, SS, Seattle, Class AAA
Class AA: 5 HR, 20 RBIs, 12 SB, .273 AVG, .301 OBP, .410 SLG
Class AAA: 2 HR, 17 RBIs, 5 SB, .284 AVG, 302 OBP, .425 SLG

Quietly climbing the Seattle ranks, but his weak bat limits his fantasy value.

• Hanley Ramirez, SS, Boston, Class AA 
5 HR, 30 RBIs, 18 SB, .276 AVG, .340 OBP, .419 SLG

Somebody's shortstop of the future -- but Boston's?

• Shin-Shoo Choo, OF, Seattle, Class AAA
7 HR, 27 RBIs, 15 SB, .255 AVG, .374 OBP, .385 SLG

If Chris Snelling isn't given a slot in Seattle's outfield in 2006, blame Choo.

• Nelson Cruz, OF, Milwaukee, Class AAA 
Class AA: 16 HR, 54 RBIs, 10 SB, .306 AVG, .388 OBP, .577 SLG
Class AAA: 3 HR, 8 RBIs, 3 SB, .483 AVG, .571 OBP, .966 SLG

The Brewers are stocked with minor league talent, but they'd better find room for Cruz with the big league club. 20,20 potential.

• Frank Diaz, OF, Washington, Class A 
9 HR, 38 RBIs, 9 SB, .306 AVG, .329 OBP, .488 SLG

Too far away to be on your fantasy radar.

• Javier Herrera, OF, Oakland, Class A 
Class A (low) 6 HR, 34 RBIs, 17 SB, .280 AVG, .376 OBP, .430 SLG
Class A (high) 1 HR, 3 RBIs, 1 SB, .418 AVG, . 533 OBP, .750 SLG

Has the makings of a very good player. Herrera's at least two years away. Next year will be a key indicator as to whether or not he's worthy of stashing on a fantasy bench. Hold off until then.

• Luis Montanez, OF, Chicago Cubs, Class A 
12 HR, 48 RBIs, 10 SB, .305 AVG, .384 OBP, .521 SLG

Hey, Luis, whatever advice Corey Patterson gives you while you're riding the minor league bus together -- ignore it! Montanez's numbers are impressive, but let's see if they continue at the higher levels before we add him to our bench.

Team World Pitchers

Merkin Valdez, Yusmeiro Petit and Edison Volquez are the top arms on this tremendous staff. Honorable mentions go out to Anibal Sanchez and Scott Mathieson. The two are good, but still years away.

• Fausto Carmona, RHP, Cleveland, Class AAA
Class AA: 6-5, 4.07 ERA, 57:20 K:BB
Class AAA: 2-0, 2.57 ERA, 13:2 K:BB

Really responded to his promotion to Class AAA, but his peripheral numbers suggested he would.

• Francisco Liriano, LHP, Minnesota, Class AAA
Class AA; 3-4, 3.64 ERA, 92:26 K:BB

Scott Baker is ahead of Liriano, but at this rate Francisco could pass J.D. Durbin to become the second best starting prospect in the system.

• Adam Loewen, LHP, Baltimore, Class A
2-6, 4.63 ERA, 92:59 K:BB

Let's see more from Loewen before we add him to any roster.

• Scott Mathieson, RHP, Philadelphia, Class A
1-3, 3.43 ERA, 81:23 K:BB

Philly pitching prospects have traditionally taken a while to develop (hello, Brett Myers), but given time Mathieson should do well with the team.

• Juan Morillo, RHP, Colorado, Class A
4-4, 3.57 ERA, 48:23 K:BB

Take a flyer on a Rockies' pitching prospect? No thank you.

• Fernando Nieve, RHP, Houston, Class AAA
Class AA: 4-3, 2.65 ERA, 96:29 K:BB
Class AAA: 2-2, 3.00 ERA, 15:8 K:BB

Take a flyer on a Houston pitching prospect? I'd rather not (I know, I know, Roy Oswalt is good, but still...)

• Yusmeiro Petit, RHP, New York Mets, Class AA
3-2, 2.97 ERA, 75:10 K:BB

The best arm in the Mets system. While I think that Jae Seo is closer to a call-up, Petit has the best long-term potential. Players with Petit already on their benches won't have to wait much longer.

• Anibal Sanchez, RHP, Boston, Class AA
Class A: 6-1, 2.40 ERA, 95:24 K:BB
Class AA: Just Promoted

Outstanding poise at Class A justified Sanchez's promotion, but he need not be on your radar until he makes the Futures Roster again in 2006.

• Merkin Valdez, RHP, San Francisco, Class AA
5-4, 2.85 ERA, 74:34 K:BB

He's closer to the Big Leagues than his Class AA level would lead you to believe.

• Edison Volquez, RHP, Texas, Class AA
Class A: 5-4, 4.19 ERA, 77:12 K:BB
Class AA: 1-3, 3.99 ERA, 30:13 K:BB

The Rangers have assembled some impressive arms in their minor league system, with Volquez's being one of the best. Diamond may be a better prospect, but K:BB ratios as good as Volquez's usually translate well at the higher levels.

Mike Bornhorst is a minor league talent columnist for TalentedMrRoto.com, a fantasy sports site specializing in analysis, stats and advice. Please include your name and location when sending e-mails to Mike@TalentedMrRoto.com.