Reyes, Kelly will represent Cardinals in Futures Game

Reyes, Kelly will represent Cardinals in Futures Game

Reyes makes return to game

MLB.com KANSAS CITY — Righthander Alex Reyes and catcher Carson Kelly have been tabbed to represent the Cardinals in the upcoming SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game, which will be played in San Diego at 6 p.m. CT on July 10. Reyes is ranked by MLBPipeline.com as the organization's top prospect, while Kelly is listed at No. 13.

Though he was born in New Jersey, Reyes, because he was signed out of the Dominican Republic, will play for the World Team. Kelly, the Cardinals' second- round pick in the 2012 MLB Draft, is on the U.S. roster. This will be the first All-Star Futures Game appearance for both players.

Reyes was chosen for the showcase game last summer, but he had to pull out due to an arm injury. Since returning from a drug suspension in May, Reyes has posted a 4.35 ERA and a 20 record in seven starts with Triple-A Memphis. He has struck out 48 in 31 innings. '[I'm] anxious to watch because his stuff has looked really good,' Cardinals manager Mike Matheny said of Reyes. 'All the development people have really liked where he is. We really like where he is. His stuff is maturing as well as him individually.'

Kelly, a converted catcher, has a .291/.333/.418 slash line in 58 games with Double-A Springfield this season. He's coming off a Gold Glove season with high Class A Palm Beach, and he will be playing in the Texas League All-Star Game on Tuesday.

'Being able to change positions and then be rewarded for the work that he's put in, there are just a lot of things that he's doing well,' Matheny said of Kelly, who will turn 22 four days after the Futures Game. 'We could tell last year was one of those aberrations. He can hit. It's just the Florida State League is a tough one to put up numbers. He's having a great season in Springfield this year.'

With a career 12.1 K/9 Minor League rate that includes a 13.9 mark with Triple-A this season, Reyes has the potential to rank among baseball's elite arms in his prime. The right-hander still has work to do before becoming a finished product — as his lifetime 4.7 BB/9 rate suggests -but he remains a cherished asset in dynasty formats. The 21-year-old would warrant mixed-league attention if added to St. Louis' rotation after the All-Star break, but he may have to settle for a late-season relief role for as long as the club's starters stay off the disabled list.

By Jenifer Langosch