DETROIT -- USA manager George Brett said Saturday he will
choose between Tigers prospects Justin Verlander and Joel Zumaya to
start Sunday's All-Star Futures game.
The right-handers from Double-A Erie are the lone players from
the host franchise's system, giving the home crowd a chance to see
what could be part of a future Tigers' rotation.
"I haven't seen them pitch, but part of this game is about
having fun," said Brett, a 13-time All-Star selection. "We want
the fans in Detroit to get to see these guys."
Verlander, called up to start during a doubleheader, lost his
major league debut Monday in Cleveland, but earned praise from
Detroit manager Alan Trammell and Indians skipper Eric Wedge.
Verlander has teamed with Zumaya to help Erie to the Eastern
League's best record.
Detroit fans also will get a look at Tampa Bay outfield prospect
Delmon Young, younger brother of Tigers slugger Dmitri Young.
The game, pitting top minor league prospects from the United
States and the rest of the world, starts at 7 p.m. Sunday. The USA
has won the last two meetings and four of the six games.
Brett said both he and World manager Guillermo Hernandez were
asked to try to play all 25 players on their rosters. He said it
would be difficult to do in a seven-inning game, but felt he owed
it to his squad.
"A lot of these guys never have played in front of 35,000
people before," Hernandez said. "Most of them probably haven't
played on national TV before. Keeping them relaxed will probably be
just as much of a job as winning the game."
Seventeen players, including White Sox pitcher Mark Buehrle and
Texas second baseman Alfonso Soriano, made All-Star rosters after
playing in the Futures game.
In the World dugout, Hernandez can expect a hero's ovation when
he takes the field. The former Tigers reliever won the AL Cy Young
and MVP awards in 1984 while helping Detroit win its fourth World
Series.
"Every time they ask me to come here, I say yes," he said.
"The fans here were great when I played here and I'm excited about
getting to see them again."