Gavin Cross, Ben Kudrna selected to represent Royals at the Futures Game

These two prospects have had strong first halves.

Rosters for the Futures Game in the upcoming All-Star festivities in Arlington were announced today with the American League squad featuring Royals prospects Gavin Cross and Ben Kudrna.

Cross, 23, has put a disappointing 2023 behind him with a solid showing at Double-A Northwest Arkansas thus far in 2024. In 62 games for the Naturals, he has hit .279/.356/.442, good for a 122 wRC+, with eight home runs and 15 stolen bases. After spending much of last year playing center field, he has played much more often in right field this season. Cross is Kansas City’s seventh-ranked prospect per MLB Pipeline.

Kudrna, 21, has found his footing in High-A after struggling at the level following a midseason promotion last year. In 12 starts in Quad Cities, he has posted a 3.14 ERA and 4.07 FIP. He had one of the best starts of his pro career this past Sunday, striking out nine batters while allowing just three baserunners across six scoreless innings. Kudrna is the team’s third-ranked prospect per MLB Pipeline.

Cross and Kudrna will play for an AL team that features top prospects Marcelo Mayer, Max Clark, and Samuel Basallo among others. The squad will be headed by Michael Young, a seven-time All-Star during a long Texas Rangers career. They will take on a National League team starring James Wood, Dylan Crews, and Ethan Salas. The NL side will be headed by Adrian Beltré, who was voted to the Hall of Fame this offseason.

The seven-inning Futures Game will take place Saturday, July 13 at 3 p.m. CT at Globe Life Field in Arlington, broadcasting on MLB Network.

Past Royals Futures Game Representatives

2000 - P Jeff Austin and P Chris George

2001 - P Chris George

2002 - SS Angel Berroa

2003 - OF Alexis Gomez and P Zack Greinke

2004 - 2B Ruben Gotay and SS Andres Blanco

2005 - 1B Justin Huber

2006 - 3B Alex Gordon and OF Billy Butler

2007 - P Luke Hochevar

2008 - P Julio Pimental

2009 - P Danny Duffy

2010 - 1B Eric Hosmer and 3B Mike Moustakas

2011 - OF Wil Myers and P Kelvin Herrera

2012 - OF Wil Myers, P Yordano Ventura, and P Jake Odorizzi

2013 - P Yordano Ventura and P Miguel Almonte

2014 - P Christian Binford

2015 - 1B Balbino Fuenmayor, SS Adalberto Mondesi, and 3B Cheslor Cuthbert

2016 - OF Hunter Dozier and OF Jorge Bonifacio

2017 - P Foster Griffin

2018 - OF Seuly Matias

2019 - P Brady Singer, P Kris Bubic

2020 - No game played

2021 - 1B Nick Pratto, SS Bobby Witt Jr.

2022 - 1B Nick Pratto (selected, but promoted to MLB), P Alec Marsh (replacement)

2023 - P Will Klein