MLB Futures Game 2018: USA Wins 10-6 Over World, Cincinnati Reds' Taylor Trammell Takes Home MVP Award

The United States eked out a 10-6 victory over the World team on Sunday in the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game in Nationals Park.

Cincinnati Reds prodigy Taylor Trammell provided the most dramatic twist in the annual showcase as he scored the go-ahead home run that gave the USA a pivotal 6-5 lead in the sixth inning. Additionally, Trammell converted a long triple off the center field wall to be named the tournament's Most Valuable Player.

The agile outfielder also became the first Reds prospect to pocket the Larry Doby Award as MVP of the Futures Game. It also marked USA's eighth victory over the World team in the past nine years.

Strong Comeback By The World Team

Team USA dominated early as it took a comfortable advantage in the first but it wasn't for long as Kansas City Royals prospect Seuly Matias managed to keep the World team in the thick of things by erasing the deficit. The 19-year-old Matias has been nothing short of phenomenal in the minor league as he leads the competition with 26 homers this season.

The Royals No.3 prospect outsmarted Justus Sheffield of the New York Yankees when he converted a brilliant opposite-field shot. Luis Basabe of the Chicago White Sox registered a phenomenal two-run conversion thereafter to give the World Team a 3-1 advantage.

Here Comes Team USA

However, Hunter Greene gave Team USA a profound sigh of relief as the 18-year-old threw excellent pitches in the game. Greene who was selected by the Reds with the second overall pick of the 2017 MLB draft had rates of 100.9, 102.4.101.7, 102.3, 102.4, 103.1, 102.1, 102.3, 101.1, 100.0, and 101.9.

Besides Greene, no other pitcher hit the triple-digit mark in the Futures Game. Jorge Guzman of the Miami Marlins and Mitch Keller of the Pittsburgh Pirates registered the highest marks with 99.7 mph and 99.5 mph respectively.

Trammell would then gave the Americans the lead after converting a long ball in the sixth before tripling off the wall in the eighth. The World team tried to make a comeback as Yusniel Diaz recorded his second homer in the seventh but it proved to be their last hurrah.

Peter Alonso of the New York Mets sealed the deal when he scored the insurance homer to give Team USA a 9-6 lead. Alonso's homer played a crucial role in Team USA's triumph as it took the pressure out of Atlanta Braves pitcher Kyle Wright. With the victory, Team USA retained the rights for another year before the two teams clash in the 2019 All-Star Futures Game which will be held in Cleveland.

Photo: Marshall Dunlap | Flickr