:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/15438485/20120712_kkt_se7_042.0.jpg)
Raise your hand if you thought Jordan Lennerton was going to be the Tigers' representative for the Futures Game. OK, so I count none of you. Seems about right. The rosters to the game were released today, and there are some excellent names attending, including Xander Bogaerts, Francisco Lindor, Miguel Sano, Gregory Polanco, Archie Bradley, etc.
To be honest, I'm not really sure why Lennerton was selected. Maybe the outfield was too full to include Danry Vasquez on the World Team. Typically, players are not selected two years in a row, so that explains Nick Castellanos' absence. Avisail Garcia is in the major leagues. Bruce Rondon went last year, too. That leaves a guy having a really nice season in Triple-A.
Lennerton's season stats warrant some consideration. He's hitting .311/.416/.481 in Triple-A with 12 HR and 10 doubles. He's also got 52 walks, which leads the league. However, (spoiler alert) Lennerton is not on my list of top 30 Tiger prospects, and I haven't seen him on anyone else's, either. So, while it's an amazing accomplishment for the 27-year-old Canadian-born first baseman, I think this selection speaks volumes about the Detroit Tigers' minor league system. Maybe this will boost his trade value.
Also, Castellanos can be voted into the game here. He is among the 10 finalists.