Mets outfielder Brandon Nimmo and Astros shortstop Carlos Correa made history yesterday when it was announced that they had won the inaugural Futures Game final vote. The final vote was established as a means to give the Futures game more visibility so that fans can see what the future holds for their favorite teams.
Nimmo, who was drafted by the Mets in the first round of the 2011 draft out of Cheyenne, Wyoming, has gained some degree of celebrity for not only being the highest draft pick in state history, but also for playing in a state that does not sanction baseball at all. Since signing, Nimmo has spent his pro career in Single-A, where he’s shown good contact but limited power. He also earned an All-Star selection in the South Atlantic League after a torrid start, which was cut short by a hand injury.
Correa, who became the highest draft pick out of an international baseball academy, had an earlier start to his pro career than Nimmo, spending the previous season in the Rookie league before jumping past the short season league in favor of the Midwest league, where he currently plays for the Quad City River Bandits.
Nimmo beat out Tigers top prospect and 2012 Futures game MVP Nick Castellanos, Red Sox top prospect Garin Cecchini, brother of 2012 Mets first round pick Gavin, Yankees outfield prospect Tyler Austin, and White Sox 2012 first round pick and top prospect Courtney Hawkins. It took a good marketing campaign as well as plenty of home team support, as players like Matt Harvey, Zack Wheeler, LaTroy Hawkins, even Sandy Alderson pulled for his first Mets draft pick by referring to him as #MetsCowboy on his seldomly used Twitter.
Correa beat out top Cubs prospect and first round pick Javier Baez, Rangers prospect Rougned Odor, Athetics prospect Renato Nunez, and Mariners prospect Ji-Man Choi for his right to represent the World Team.
Amazingly, the polls that I posted did not have either player winning, as you the readers chose Nick Castellanos and, through blatantly obvious ballot stuffing, Rougned Odor as the winners of the polls. Nimmo finished fourth in the US poll, ahead of only Tyler Austin, while Correa finished second.
For the person who thought it would be hilarious to stuff the ballot, I shall stoop to your level and refer to you as Scott, for this reason:
The 2012 Futures Game will be held at Citi Field on July 14th, along with the Legends and Celebrity Softball game. I shall be attending, so if you want to say hello or chat prospects with me, I will be sitting in Section 106, Row 23, Seat 14. Until then, have a happy 4th.
