This year's MLB Futures Game was a crisper affair than last year's, with stronger pitching performances and a pretty quick pace. Here are some quick thoughts on players who stood out, with more to come later this week.

• Mets prospect Noah Syndergaard started for the U.S. squad and didn't disappoint, showing easy 93-97 velocity and a very clean arm action that he has no trouble repeating. He threw a couple of curveballs as chase pitches, 78-79 mph with good two-plane break and some depth, a solid-average right now if he can maintain that velocity and tight rotation for a full start. His size and delivery point to durability as well.