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Guardians sending two top prospects to MLB All-Star Futures Game in Texas

CLEVELAND, Ohio — A pair of Guardians 19-year-old top prospects from Low-A Lynchburg will represent the franchise in Texas on July 14 during the All-Star Futures Game at Globe Life Field.

Outfielder Jaison Chourio and catcher Ralphy Velazquez, both of whom will not turn 20 until next May, are set to join the American League squad in Major League Baseball’s annual showcase, the league announced Tuesday.

Chourio, ranked No. 86 overall by MLB Pipeline, is Cleveland’s No. 3 prospect. Velazquez is Cleveland’s No. 4 prospect and last year’s first round draft pick.

Velazquez, selected in the first round of the 2023 draft from Huntington Beach HS in California, was named Carolina League player of the week in April. He is hitting .263 with nine home runs, 46 RBI and an .832 OPS in 64 games for Low-A Lynchburg. The catcher/first baseman is slugging .453 with 18 doubles and a triple in 298 plate appearances for the Hillcats.

Chourio, an outfielder, was signed as an international free agent out of Venezuela in 2022. He was a Minor League Baseball organizational All-Star in 2023 after hitting .321 in 48 games split between Lynchburg and Cleveland’s Arizona Complex League team.

Current Guardians players who participated in the All-Star Futures Game include Carlos Carrasco (2006-08), Andrés Giménez (2018), Austin Hedges (2013), Triston McKenzie (2017), Bo Naylor (2021), Josh Naylor (2016-17), Jhonkensy Noel (2022) and hitting coach Chris Valaika (2008).