Mets' Brandon Sproat, Yankees' Spencer Jones shine in 2024 MLB All-Star Futures Game

Two of New York baseball's top prospects, Mets right-hander Brandon Sproat and Yankees outfielder Spencer Jones, embraced the spotlight Saturday at the 2024 MLB All-Star Futures Game at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas.

Representing the National League, which won 6-1, Sproat -- No. 7 in Joe DeMayo's midseason ranking of the Mets' top 30 prospects for 2024 -- worked a hitless and scoreless third inning.

The 23-year-old Sproat reached 99 mph while throwing eight strikes on 12 pitches against the American League.

"I felt like everything was pretty good for the most part," the right-hander said about his stuff after the game. "I got one inning, just kinda go out there and see what happens."

He started by popping Cole Young out to third base. Sebastian Walcott reached first base on a fielding error by shortstop Aidan Miller, spoiling Sproat's perfect frame, but his subsequent 6-4-3 double play versus Samuel Basallo got him out of trouble.

"It was a lot of fun," Sproat said of the experience pitching in a big-league stadium for the first time. "The nerves kicked up there running in from the bullpen, legs kinda felt like Jell-O. But it was a really, really cool experience."

Jones, also 23, started in right field and batted fifth for the American League. MLB.com's No. 2 Yankees prospect was robbed of a hit on a line drive to left with two outs in the first inning as Justin Crawford's diving grab ended the frame, stranding runners on second and first.

Jones then worked a leadoff walk and stole second base in the fourth inning, subsequently scoring a run from there via Jaison Chourio's RBI single with one out to put the American League on the board at 4-1.

Gavin Cross replaced Jones at the start of the fifth inning.

"It's a good time, man," the outfielder said with a wide smile after the game. "It doesn't get much better than this, right? Having everybody together playing baseball."

Before the game, Jones -- who plays for the Yankees' Double-A Somerset Patriots and faced Sproat June 14 as the Mets' Double-A Binghamton Rumble Ponies won 9-7 -- explained Sproat's "nasty" stuff.

"I faced him in college, too," said Jones, who played for Vanderbilt (2020-22) while Sproat was with SEC foe Florida (2020-23). "... And into professional baseball, and he's an incredible pitcher and he's gotten even better now, and definitely got electric stuff."

"A lot of pitchers are really good," Jones added when asked about how Sproat compares to others. "He's got a great fastball. He's got his off-speed pitches working. And when he's putting it where he wants to, it's difficult to hit."

The respect is mutual.

"Really, really, really good hitter," Sproat said of Jones before the game. "Good player, good person. His height and his size is kind of a little intimidating. You kind of look up like, 'Jeez, this dude's tall.' But he's got great tools, great bat to ball, really good power. He's definitely a good player and, even more important, a better person. Great, great guy."