LOS ANGELES - Former Saint Mary's starting pitchers Ky Bush and Ken Waldichuk have been named to the American League roster for the 2022 SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game. The big lefties will play in the prospect-filled game on Saturday, July 16 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles as part of MLB All-Star Saturday.
 
Bush came to the Gaels for his junior season in 2021 and finished with a 2.99 ERA while going 7-5 in 14 starts covering 78.1 innings. He struck out 112 batters to just 19 walks and was a second-round pick (45th overall) of the Angles in 2021.
 
"I'm very thankful to be picked to the Futures Game and represent the Angels organization," Bush said. "It's going to be a really exciting experience and I can't wait for it. It's going to be very cool to have the opportunity to go to such a historic stadium like Dodger Stadium and pitch on that mound. It's a chance to go out there and prove myself, have fun, meet some cool guys, and learn what it's all about."
 
Currently ranked as the Los Angeles Angels No. 4 prospect by MLB.com, Bush has spent his first full minor league season in the Rocket City rotation. In 13 starts for Rocket City, Bush is currently 5-2 with a 3.53 ERA and 61 strikeouts over 63.2 innings pitched. He currently ranks among the Southern League leaders in wins (T-4th, 5), WHIP (6th, 1.21), ERA (7th, 3.53), and opponents' batting average (8th, .240). He has allowed three or fewer earned runs in 11 of his 13 starts in his first stint at the Double-A level.
 
From May 21 to June 17, Bush went on a run of five consecutive quality starts, earning the win in three of them and posting a 1.48 ERA, allowing just five earned runs in 30.1 innings while striking out 29. He was at his best on June 17 against Montgomery, firing six scoreless innings, striking out five to earn his fifth victory of the season.
 
Waldichuk spent three seasons as a Gael and was fantastic over his collegiate career, compiling a 2.70 ERA in 51 appearances with 31 starts. He was primarily a reliever in his freshman year and had a 2.00 ERA with three saves in 45 innings. The San Diego native had a 2.05 ERA as a sophomore and a 3.69 ERA as a junior over 29 starts with 224 strikeouts to just 53 walks, and was selected in the fifth round of the MLB draft by the Yankees in 2019.
 
Now 24, Waldichuk has gone 6-2 with a .199 ERA in 14 starts between Double-A Somerset and Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. At Double-A, he was 4-0 with a 1.88 ERA. At Triple-A, he's gone 2-2 with a 2.52 ERA with 55 strikeouts and 17 walks.
 
He debuted in the Rookie League after being drafted in 2019, playing in 10 games, lost all of 2020 due to the pandemic, and is now dominating Triple-A. Waldichuk spent seven games at High-A Hudson Valley last year before getting the bump to Double-A, then only needed six games at Double-A this year before getting the nod to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
 
He has limited opponents to one or no runs in 10 of 12 starts, ranks first among Yankees minor leaguers in strikeouts, and is tied for first in ERA. Waldichuk began the season as the No. 10 prospect in the Yankees system, and has climbed up to No. 6 during the season according to Baseball America.