Carson Kelly and Alex Reyes will represent the Cardinals in the 2016 Futures Game - A Hunt and Peck

The St. Louis Cardinals will send a pair of twenty-one year-olds to the 2016 Futures Game in San Diego for the All Star Break. Getting the nod is catcher Carson Kelly of AA Springfield and pitcher Alex Reyes of AAA Memphis.

Kelly recently made the transition from third baseman to catcher and after some initial struggles at the plate, has been much improved offensively in 2016 with a slash line of .291/.333./.418 in 58 games, good for a wRC+ of 115*. Kelly also earned a gold glove for his work behind the plate last season and is generally lauded for his defense.

Reyes has gone 2-0 with a 4.35 ERA and a 3.81 FIP in seven games for the Redbirds this season. He has struck out 34.3% of batters during that time while walking 12.1%. Reyes was also chosen to attend the Futures Game in 2015, but was unable to participate due to injury and overall innings concerns.

Carson Kelly seems pretty pumped!

Excited to represent the @Cardinals in the @MLB All Star Futures game with my guy @AlexReyes_67. Thank you for your support! #CardinalNation

— Carson Kelly (@carskelly) June 29, 2016

Good luck!

2016 Futures Game rosters full of prospects | MLB.com

Cardinals sending Reyes, Kelly to annual Futures Game | Derrick Goold: Bird Land | stltoday.com

what else is going on in baseball...

• Julio Urias beats Brewers for first MLB win | MLB.com
• Watch these Red Sox prospects display their insane bat flip skills at Little Fenway | MLB.com
• Comedian Adrian Beltre just had to mimic Jurickson Profar's full-extension split at first base | MLB.com
• Should MLB rules change for rain delays? | Sports on Earth
• Ride along with Julio Teheran | MLB.com
• NERD Game Scores: Paradox of Choice Home Experiment | FanGraphs Baseball
• The Francisco Lindor Effect Is Ridiculous | FanGraphs Baseball
• Mike Trout Wants Your Curveballs Now | FanGraphs Baseball
• Clayton Kershaw to fly back to LA to have back examined | True Blue LA
• The only correct ballot for the 2016 National League All-Star team | SBNation.com
• Five hitters enjoying breakout seasons | ESPN

what the cardinals are up to...

• Ortiz: Oh is logical choice for a shot as closer | Jesus Ortiz | stltoday.com
• Cardinals sending Reyes, Kelly to annual Futures Game | Derrick Goold: Bird Land | stltoday.com
• BenFred: With Pena back, Cards must rest Molina more | Ben Frederickson | stltoday.com
• Here's the Cardinals' Checklist of Things To Do | 101Sports.com
• The 2016 NL All-Star Roster and the Most Deserving Cardinals | 101Sports.com

KNOW THINE ENEMY...

the kansas city royals

• Lorenzo Cain exits game with leg injury | Royals Review
• A Kansas City Royals Community | Royals Review

the nl central

• Cubs beat Reds in 15 innings in Cincinnati | MLB.com
• Chicago Cubs use 3 different pitchers as outfielders en route to 15-inning victory | ESPN
• Anthony Rizzo Keeps Getting Better | FanGraphs Baseball
• Scouting trade options for Cubs beyond Aroldis Chapman, Andrew Miller | Chicago Cubs Blog | ESPN
• Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant's cap from historic night heading to Cooperstown | ESPN