WEYMOUTH, Mass. (July 20, 2022) -- The Futures League is excited to announce the rosters for its annual All-Star Game, which will take place on Tuesday, July 26 at New Britain Stadium in New Britain, Conn.
For the first time in league history, the two teams competing in the Futures League All-Star Game were drafted by two captains who are league veterans of at least three years. Vermont Lake Monsters pitcher George Goldstein (Middlebury) will captain one team, while the other honor went to outfielder Joel Lara (Franklin Pierce) of the host New Britain Bees.
Goldstein, who has set the league’s career record for appearances over parts of four summers, pitched for the Brockton Rox in 2018 and 2019 before joining the Lake Monsters for their inaugural 2021 season which culminated in a championship. The circuit’s all-time stolen bases leader, Lara previously played for the Rox in 2020 and Pittsfield Suns in 2021.
A vote of all eight Futures League managers determined the roster pool before the two captains drafted their teams, selecting two catchers, two first basemen, six other infielders and 10 pitchers apiece.
With Lara leading the designated home team in New Britain, Goldstein was awarded the first overall draft selection and took Vermont teammate Sean Matson (Harvard), who was the ChangeUp Pitcher of the Month for May/June. Team Lara’s first pick was another pitcher in Pittsfield Suns ace Izaiya Mestre (New Haven), who was also a FCBL All-Star in 2018 and 2021.
Goldstein doubled up on early-season award winners as Westfield Starfires catcher Jackson Hornung (Skidmore) was his second pick and the first overall position player to go off the board. His side has a distinct Vermont flavor overall, though, as he drafted seven of eight available teammates, including the outfield trio of Jimmy Evans (Tufts), Jackson Kline (Kansas) and Tommy Hawke (Wake Forest). Left-handed pitcher Tim Noone (Babson) was the lone Lake Monster to end up on Team Lara.
Lara’s squad includes the league’s top three hitters in terms of average entering the week, including Brockton’s Andy Martin (Dyersburg State CC) and New Britain’s Teddy Schoenfeld (MIT) who join him in the outfield. Worcester first baseman/outfielder Gavin Noriega (Marist), who is also a repeat FCBL All-Star and leads the circuit in doubles, is the third. Lara and Schoenfeld are two of the nine Bees represented.
Team Goldstein’s pitching staff includes the owners of the top two ERAs in the league: Matson and the Nashua Silver Knights’ Jonah Wachter (Tulane). Goldstein himself is the only closer with 10 saves and the only pitcher to appear in at least 20 games.
The full Team Lara and Team Goldstein rosters can be found here. An archived broadcast of the Futures League All-Star Draft Special is available on YouTube.
Tickets for Tuesday’s All-Star Game can be purchased through the New Britain Bees by clicking here. Gates open at 4 p.m. prior to the Home Run Derby at 5 p.m. and the first pitch at 7:05.
For the latest news and information on the Futures League all year long, visit thefuturesleague.com and follow the league’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages.
Stay Connected