Is the third time a charm for the Texas Rangers with pitching prospects in the MLB Futures Game?

The past two seasons, the Texas Rangers have had one of their top pitching prospects participate in the MLB Futures Game. The game is held over the weekend prior to the All-Star Game and helps kickoff the weeks festivities. This year the Rangers will again have their top ranked pitching prospect in the event.

Texas Rangers top pitching prospect, Owen White, to pitch in MLB Futures Game

Owen White is in Seattle and will be representing the Rangers in the Futures Game today. The 23-year-old (turns 24 in August) is currently the #2 overall Rangers prospect (behind Evan Carter OF) and ranked as the #46 prospect in all of MLB according to MLB pipeline. White made his MLB debut earlier this season and has since been pitching in Triple-A for the Round Rock Express.

Texas fans, and the front office alike, are hopeful that White doesn't fall into the same current situation as Jack Leiter and Cole Winn. Winn played in the Futures Game in 2021 as the teams rising star and Leiter did so last season. Their stock was obviously high at the time, and the future was looking bright for both Rangers' hurlers. Unfortunately, since their respective appearances in the Futures Game, both Leiter and Winn have struggled to maintain their upward trajectory with their development. Their careers are far from busts at this point, but they do need to turn things around moving forward.

White is his own guy and will not let the struggles of other pitching prospects in the organization affect his path to becoming a fulltime big leaguer. It is unclear how much White will pitch in the game tonight, but nobody will be throwing very much as the game is set to be seven innings, and not the typical nine. It is an exhibition featuring many of the most talented players in the minor leagues and MLB doesn't want to risk injury to any of the future stars of the game.

The Texas Rangers have had two MVP's of the Futures Game in years past. Sam Huff took the honor most recently, as he was the MVP in 2019 after going one for two, hitting a home run, and driving in two. In 2014, Joey Gallo was the MVP of the Futures Game as well. He went one for four, hit a home run, scored a run, and drove in two.

There has never been a Futures Game MVP that was a pitcher, so White will more than likely not be the first. Most importantly though, is that White continue to advance up the ladder and someday soon, become a contributing piece to a winning club in Arlington.

MLB Futures Game schedule and viewing information

The MLB Futures Game can be seen tonight starting at 6:00pm CT on Peacock.