Flewelling wins 2026 MLB All-Star Futures Game MVP, AL defeats NL 6-1

PHILADELPHIA – It took just one pitch for Bowling Green Hot Rods catcher Nathan Flewelling to show the rest of baseball his talents, helping lead the American League to a 6-1 win in the 2026 MLB All-Star Futures Game.

Flewelling, the No. 2 prospect in the Tampa Bay Rays farm system, has had quite the year thus far.

With 71 hits, 16 HRs and 47 RBI through 73 games in 2026, Flewelling’s set the tone for the Hot Rods offensively, leading to his selection in Sunday’s Futures Game.

He joined his former BG teammate Theo Gillen in representing Tampa Bay in the annual showcase of the game’s best upcoming stars.

Flewelling didn’t start for the AL but filled in for Kanas City No. 3 prospect Blake Mitchell in the bottom of the fourth inning.

He would get one opportunity at the plate in the sixth inning, and he made the most out of it.

The first pitch of the at bat from Philadelphia Phillies No. 12 prospect Wen-Hui Pan was sent from the strike zone straight to the right field seats at Citizen Bank Park.

“Yeah, I just knew he was going to be aggressive with it, and I just was like first pitch swinging, and I got one and got lucky, so there we go,” Flewelling said postgame.

The backstop’s two-run homer helped propel the AL further in front in the matchup, eventually leading to the league’s first win in the event since 2022 and just second since the format was changed from USA vs. the World in 2019.

Flewelling’s big swing also led him to be named the 2026 Larry Doby Most Valuable Player Award winner, the third time a member of the Rays’ organization has won the highest honor joining Brent Honeywell (2017) and Toby Hall (2001).

“Yeah, I think that we got a really good team right now and an unbelievable farm system,” Flewelling said. “We got a lot coming and it’s going to be really exciting in the next few years.”

Flewelling will have the next few days off as All-Star week continues and will return to Bowling Green Ballpark on July 17 as the Hot Rods host the Winston-Salem Dash for a brief three-game home series.

First pitch in Friday’s home opener is scheduled for 6:35 p.m.