Trash Pandas duo named to All-Star Futures Team

MADISON – A pair of Rocket City Trash Pandas will be taking their skills to the national stage.

Infielder Kyren Paris and catcher Edgar Quero have been named to the American League Roster for the 2023 SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game, the team announced.

The annual prospect showcase is July 8 at 7 p.m. at T-Mobile Park in Seattle. The Futures Game is a seven-inning contest and will be carried on Peacock and SiriusXM as part of MLB All-Star Saturday.

“This is a testament to both of their abilities and their characters,” said Rocket City Manager Andy Schatzley. “They’ve both been solid for us in the first half.

“We’re really excited for this opportunity for them to play on that stage and we feel like their best baseball is still in front of them.”

Paris and Quero are the third and fourth Rocket City players to earn a Futures Game selection, after pitchers Ky Bush in 2022 and Reid Detmers in 2021.

“We’ve been back-to-back in the lineup for the whole season. Being young and trying to be leaders on this team, we’ve developed a great relationship,” Paris said of his bond with Quero. “It’s going to be special for both of us to be out there together.

“We’re going to take it all in and have a lot of fun out in Seattle.”

Quero is ranked as the Los Angeles Angels’ No. 2 prospect by MLB.com. In 54 games, he is batting .244 with two home runs, 27 RBI, 35 runs scored, 41 walks, and a .386 on-base percentage.

“It’s a blessing,” said Quero, a native of Cuba. “I feel great to be named to the Futures Game to represent my team and my country.

“It’s going to be a lot of fun.”

Quero, 20, currently among the Southern League leaders in walks (T-6^th, 41), on-base percentage (T-6^th, .386), doubles (T-12^th, 12), and runs scored (13^th, 35). He hit .440 over a season-long seven-game hitting streak from April 16-26 and has thrown out 27% of would-be base stealers from behind the plate.

Paris, 21, is the Angels’ No. 8 prospect and has also been a staple in the Trash Pandas lineup in 2023. In 65 games, Paris is hitting .234 with 11 home runs, 29 RBI, 20 stolen bases, 39 runs scored, and 42 walks. His 11 home runs in the first half are just one off his career-high of 12, set last season.

“Reaching the Futures Game has been a goal of mine for a long time and to achieve that goal is special for me,” said Paris of Oakley, Calif. “It’s an honor to represent the Angels while playing amongst some of the top talent in the game.”

Paris, who had a 10-game hitting streak from May 25-June 6, ranks among the Southern League leaders in walks (T-4^th, 42), home runs (T-8^th, 11), stolen bases (5^th, 20), runs scored (T-6^th, 39), and games played (T-3^rd, 65).

Paris, Quero, and the Trash Pandas (31-38) visit the Birmingham Barons (25-44) on Wednesday for a six-game series to begin the second half. First pitch at Regions Field is set for 7:05 p.m.