Two of the Pirates' top prospects, first baseman Josh Bell and catcher Elias Diaz have been selected for Major League Baseball's All-Star Futures Game, July 12 in Cincinnati.
Bell, 22, is batting .318 with three home runs, 44 RBIs and a .390 on-base percentage in his first full season with Class AA Altoona. He was the $5 million bonus baby in the second round of the 2012 draft.
Diaz, 24, is batting .281 with three home runs, 25 RBIs and a .344 OBP in his first full season with Class AAA Indianapolis. An international free agent from Venezuela, he's always been best appreciated for his defense and throwing behind the plate.
Don't read too much into the actual selections, though. Those are made primarily by the parent clubs, in conjunction with the game's organizers to ensure rosters are filled appropriately. If anything, it's far more a reflection of how the Pirates feel about the players than anyone on the outside.
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