AFL’s Rising Stars set to shine tonight (but not Strasburg, he was scratched)

8:15 PM Eastern

For the first time, the Showcase will also be available to a national television audience. MLB Network will carry a live broadcast of the Rising Stars Game with Diamondbacks announcer Daron Sutton and MLB Network’s Tony Clark in the broadcast booth with a live simulcast streamed on MLB.com.

The Rising Stars Showcase matches prospects from each Major League Baseball organization in an East Division against West Division format. Teams from the AFL’s East Division feature prospects from the Angels, Athletics, Blue Jays, Cubs, Diamondbacks, Giants, Marlins, Nationals, Orioles, Phillies, Pirates, Rays, Red Sox, Rockies and Twins. Players on the West squad will come from the Astros, Braves, Brewers, Cardinals, Dodgers, Indians, Mariners, Mets, Padres, Rangers, Reds, Royals, Tigers, White Sox and Yankees. All 30 organizations will be represented in the game.

“It’s a great opportunity and should be a lot of fun,” said A’s prospect and Phoenix Desert Dogs outfielder Grant Desme, who leads the AFL in home runs and is tied for the lead in RBIs. “I’ll get a chance to play with a bunch of talented guys.”

The game was initially set up to feature a marquee pitching matchup of 2009 first-round Draft picks, with No. 1 overall pick Stephen Strasburg going for East and No. 7 pick Mike Minor taking the hill for the West. Strasburg, however, was scratched from the start with a strained muscle in his neck. Tommy Mendoza was chosen to replace Strasburg, both on the roster and as the starting pitcher. Cubs third base prospect Josh Vitters (replaced by Josh Bell) and Orioles pitcher Brandon Erbe (a replacement will be named later) have also been scratched.