{"id":337813,"date":"2026-07-12T19:31:23","date_gmt":"2026-07-12T19:31:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/337813\/"},"modified":"2026-07-12T19:31:23","modified_gmt":"2026-07-12T19:31:23","slug":"tampa-bay-prospect-nathan-flewelling-homers-mvp-in-als-6-1-win-over-nl-in-all-star-futures-game-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/337813\/","title":{"rendered":"Tampa Bay prospect Nathan Flewelling homers, MVP in AL’s 6-1 win over NL in All-Star Futures Game"},"content":{"rendered":"

PHILADELPHIA (AP) \u2014 Only 19 years old and a scant 61 years younger than his All-Star Futures Game manager, Nathan Flewelling has tried not to put a timetable on his potential big league debut.<\/p>\n

Going deep in a major league ballpark sure gives hope in Tampa Bay that Flewelling could fit in fine once he gets there.<\/p>\n

Click to Gallery<\/p>\n

\"Shane<\/p>\n

Shane Victorino, left, coach of the National League embraces Larry Bowa, coach of the American League, ahead of the MLB All-Star Futures baseball game Sunday, July 12, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo\/Chris Szagola)<\/p>\n

\"American<\/p>\n

American League pitcher Max Anderson throws during the first inning of a MLB All-Star Futures baseball game against the National League on Sunday, July 12, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo\/Chris Szagola)<\/p>\n

\"National<\/p>\n

National League pitcher Gage Wood throws during the first inning of the MLB All-Star Futures baseball game against the American League on Sunday, July 12, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo\/Chris Szagola)<\/p>\n

\"American<\/p>\n

American League’s Nathan Flewelling, right, embraces American League’s Walker Jenkins after Flewelling hit a two-run home run as National League’s Rainiel Rodriguez looks on in the sixth inning of the MLB All-Star Futures baseball game Sunday, July 12, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo\/Chris Szagola)<\/p>\n

\"American<\/p>\n

American League’s Nathan Flewelling reacts to his two-run home run against National League pitcher Wen-Hui Pan in the sixth inning during the MLB All-Star Futures baseball game Sunday, July 12, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo\/Chris Szagola)<\/p>\n

\u201cI think I’m getting more ready every single day,\u201d Flewelling said. \u201cSo I think it could be soon.\u201d<\/p>\n

Flewelling hit a two-run home run and earned MVP honors, and the American League team managed by 80-year-old Larry Bowa needed only five hits to beat the National League 6-1 on Sunday in the All-Star Futures Game.<\/p>\n

Flewelling is rated the second-best prospect in Tampa Bay’s organization and was a third-round pick in the 2024 amateur draft. Flewelling and Theo Gillen \u2014 Tampa Bay’s top-rated prospect \u2014 combined for three RBIs in the seven-inning game that included most of minor league baseball’s best players.<\/p>\n

Flewelling catches for Class-A Bowling Green and the 20-year-old Gillen is an outfielder for Double-A Montgomery.<\/p>\n

Flewelling has kept an eye on the standings with the Rays in first place in the AL East.<\/p>\n

\u201cI’m really willing to impact the race,\u201d Flewelling said. \u201cI’m excited to get up there one day and hopefully help them out.\u201d<\/p>\n

Phillies minor leaguer Gage Wood earned the start for the National League and allowed one run and threw 11 pitches in his one inning of work. Leo De Vries, a 19-year-old Athletics shortstop ranked as the No. 2 prospect by MLB.com, hit a leadoff single and stole second and third and scored on a groundout by Boston’s Franklin Arias. Wood threw nine strikes and hit 97 mph on his fastest pitch.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know before that first pitch, my heart was pumping,\u201d Wood said.<\/p>\n

Former Phillies outfielder and NL Futures manager Shane Victorino made the call to tell Wood he would start the game.<\/p>\n

\u201cI hope it was a moment that he\u2019ll never forget, other than the next call hopefully to the big leagues soon enough,\u201d Victorino said. \u201cIt\u2019s always an honor to hand the ball to someone obviously that\u2019s a hometown or home-team kid and get that opportunity hopefully someday to pitch for that team.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Phillies drafted Wood in the first round (26th overall) last season and signed him for $3 million. He made eight starts this season for Class-A Clearwater and eight for Double-A Reading. Wood has a 3.44 ERA and 79 strikeouts in 55 innings total this season.<\/p>\n

Wood naturally hoped to get the call one day to help the Phillies in a pennant race at Citizens Bank Park.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I went up those steps and I got out there on the grass, I looked up and I was like, \u2018Wow, this looks way bigger than from the suite when we were here when we signed last year,\u2019\u201d Wood said. \u201cThat was awesome. The park’s huge. Everybody here was like, man, you’ve got a good home park. I was like, yeah, this place is sick.\u201d<\/p>\n

The NL tied the game at 1-1 in the third on a Jes\u00fas Made RBI groundout against Toronto’s Nolan Perry. Made is a 19-year-old Milwaukee Brewers infielder who is rated MLB.com\u2019s top prospect.<\/p>\n

Wood’s teammate and Reading closer Wen-Hui Pan allowed Flewelling’s two-run shot into the second row of the right-field seats in the sixth. Flewelling was the third Rays player to ever win Futures MVP honors.<\/p>\n

Boston’s Anthony Eyanson earned the win and San Diego’s Kash Mayfield took the loss.<\/p>\n

Victorino was the center fielder on the 2008 World Series champion Phillies and Bowa the starting shortstop on the 1980 World Series winners \u2014 the only two World Series championship teams in franchise history.<\/p>\n

Bowa, a senior adviser to baseball operations for the Phillies, is still a fixture at games and usually can be spotted hitting grounders during infield practice.<\/p>\n

He was a five-time NL All-Star and won a pair of Gold Gloves and later managed the San Diego Padres and was the 2001 NL Manager of the Year with the Phillies.<\/p>\n

\u201cI’ve been very fortunate, not only with health and the good man upstairs, but the organization\u201d has been great, Bowa said. \u201cWe’ve had three or four managers; they all tell me to come down to spring training. (Owner) John Middleton’s been great. The fact they’re letting me do this, I mean without the help of those guys, I couldn’t suit up the way I’m doing right now.\u201d<\/p>\n

Among past Futures Games players, 86.8% have gone on to play in at least one major league game, while 259 total players (21.3%) have been selected to play in at least one major league All-Star Game.<\/p>\n

Twenty-five of the players that appeared in last season’s game in Atlanta have played in the big leagues this season.<\/p>\n

AP MLB: https:\/\/apnews.com\/hub\/mlb<\/p>\n


\n \"Shane<\/p>\n

Shane Victorino, left, coach of the National League embraces Larry Bowa, coach of the American League, ahead of the MLB All-Star Futures baseball game Sunday, July 12, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo\/Chris Szagola)<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n


\n \"American<\/p>\n

American League pitcher Max Anderson throws during the first inning of a MLB All-Star Futures baseball game against the National League on Sunday, July 12, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo\/Chris Szagola)<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n


\n \"National<\/p>\n

National League pitcher Gage Wood throws during the first inning of the MLB All-Star Futures baseball game against the American League on Sunday, July 12, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo\/Chris Szagola)<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n


\n \"American<\/p>\n

American League’s Nathan Flewelling, right, embraces American League’s Walker Jenkins after Flewelling hit a two-run home run as National League’s Rainiel Rodriguez looks on in the sixth inning of the MLB All-Star Futures baseball game Sunday, July 12, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo\/Chris Szagola)<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n


\n \"American<\/p>\n

American League’s Nathan Flewelling reacts to his two-run home run against National League pitcher Wen-Hui Pan in the sixth inning during the MLB All-Star Futures baseball game Sunday, July 12, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo\/Chris Szagola)<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

LONDON (AP) \u2014 Jannik Sinner is starting to make a habit of responding to adversity in Paris with titles at Wimbledon.<\/p>\n

The top-ranked Sinner beat Alexander Zverev 6-7 (7), 7-6 (2), 6-3, 6-4 Sunday for his second consecutive title at the All England Club after his German opponent appeared bothered by a knee issue following a slip to the grass on a key point in the third set.<\/p>\n

Sinner’s fifth Grand Slam title came in his first tournament since a second-round meltdown at the French Open, when he wilted in a Paris heat wave.<\/p>\n

When Sinner ripped a forehand winner up the line on his fist match point, the Italian dropped to the grass on his back in celebration.<\/p>\n

A year ago, Sinner beat Carlos Alcaraz in the final at the All England Club after wasting three match points against his rival in the Roland Garros final.<\/p>\n

It was Sinner’s 10th straight victory over Zverev, who was coming off his first Grand Slam title at the French Open.<\/p>\n

Linda Noskova beat Karolina Muchova in an all-Czech women\u2019s final on Saturday for her first Grand Slam title.<\/p>\n

Prince William joined his wife Kate and two of their children for the final in a star-studded Royal Box that also included actors Dustin Hoffman, Nicole Kidman and Ben Stiller.<\/p>\n

The top two seeds appeared perfectly matched until Zverev earned his first break point of the match at 3-3 in the third set — 2 hours and 42 minutes in. Sinner produced a drop shot and Zverev slipped and appeared to hyper-extend his right knee as he attempted to change directions behind the baseline.<\/p>\n

Zverev grasped his knee in apparent discomfort and Sinner went around the net and helped his opponent up off the grass. Zverev quickly resumed playing but he appeared slightly hampered and slung his racket across the baseline in frustration when he missed a forehand and handed Sinner the first break of the match and a 5-3 lead in the third. Sinner then served it out.<\/p>\n

Zverev had also lost 14 straight sets to Sinner and when he claimed the opening set of the final with a forehand winner up the line to conclude a tight tiebreaker, he let out a loud roar toward his box as he bent over in celebration.<\/p>\n

Zverev continually cranked out serves at up to 139 mph (224 kph), while Sinner produced a series of well-placed aces at a slightly lower speed.<\/p>\n

But Sinner began to read Zverev\u2019s serve better in the second-set tiebreaker and Zverev started to miss forehands.<\/p>\n

Amid stifling heat and humidity in Paris in late May, Sinner had his 30-match winning streak ended after coming within one game of a straight-set victory over Juan Manuel Cerundolo, who was ranked No. 56.<\/p>\n

Conditions were cooler in southwest London for the final, with clear skies and a temperature of 82 degrees Fahrenheit (28 Celsius) but it was also breezy — which led to a series of shanked shots from both players.<\/p>\n

Sinner went in for medical exams in Milan after the Paris defeat and didn\u2019t play an official match again until he arrived at Wimbledon, where he twice had to come back from a set down in a five-set marathon against Miomir Kecmanovic in the first round.<\/p>\n

Sinner then didn\u2019t drop a set the rest of the way until the final, having dominated against Novak Djokovic in the semifinals.<\/p>\n

Despite the defeat in the final, Zverev will leapfrog Alcaraz into the No. 2 spot in the rankings on Monday.<\/p>\n

Alcaraz missed both the French Open and Wimbledon this year due to a right wrist injury.<\/p>\n

Associated Press writer Mattias Kar\u00e9n contributed.<\/p>\n

AP tennis: https:\/\/apnews.com\/hub\/tennis<\/p>\n


\n \"Jannik<\/p>\n

Jannik Sinner of Italy looks backwards his coaches during the as he plays against Alexander Zverev of Germany men’s singles final at Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Sunday, July 12, 2026. (AP Photo\/Kin Cheung)<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n


\n \"Jannik<\/p>\n

Jannik Sinner of Italy plays a return to Alexander Zverev of Germany men’s singles final at Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Sunday, July 12, 2026. (AP Photo\/Kin Cheung)<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n


\n \"Jannik<\/p>\n

Jannik Sinner of Italy, left helps up Alexander Zverev of Germany who fell during the men’s singles final at Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Sunday, July 12, 2026. (AP Photo\/Kin Cheung)<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n


\n \"Alexander<\/p>\n

Alexander Zverev of Germany reacts after falling over during a point against Jannik Sinner of Italy in the men’s singles final at Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Sunday, July 12, 2026. (AP Photo\/Kirsty Wigglesworth)<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n


\n \"Jannik<\/p>\n

Jannik Sinner of Italy celebrates a point against Alexander Zverev of Germany in the men’s singles final at Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Sunday, July 12, 2026. (AP Photo\/Kirsty Wigglesworth)<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n


\n \"Linda<\/p>\n

Linda Noskova of Czech Republic poses with the trophy after winning against Karolina Muchova of Czech Republic in the women’s singles final at Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Saturday, July 11, 2026. (AP Photo\/Kirsty Wigglesworth)<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n


\n \"Alexander<\/p>\n

Alexander Zverev of Germany celebrates winning a point against Arthur Fery of Britain during their men’s singles semifinal match at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Friday, July 10, 2026. (AP Photo\/Kirsty Wigglesworth)<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n


\n \"Jannik<\/p>\n

Jannik Sinner of Italy serves to Novak Djokovic of Serbia in their men’s singles semifinal match at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Friday, July 10, 2026. (AP Photo\/Brian Inganga)<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n


\n \"Alexander<\/p>\n

Alexander Zverev of Germany serves to Arthur Fery of Britain during their men’s singles semifinal match at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Friday, July 10, 2026. (AP Photo\/Kirsty Wigglesworth)<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n


\n \"Jannik<\/p>\n

Jannik Sinner of Italy eyes the ball as he prepares to play a forehand against Jan-Lennard Struff of Germany in their quarter-final men’s singles match at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Tuesday, July 7, 2026. (AP Photo\/Kin Cheung)<\/p>\n

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