ALL-STAR FUTURES GAME

July 12, 2026

Nathan Flewelling

Citizen's Bank Park

Futures Game Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: We'll get started with Futures star MVP Nathan Flewelling.

Q. First of all, what was it like for you to be part of this game and to hit a two-run home run in a Major League ballpark and bells going off? What was it like to be part of this environment and win the MVP?

NATHAN FLEWELLING: Yeah, it was a complete honor to be here, obviously amongst some really talented players. Just very grateful to be here. And it was just a pretty surreal moment being able to do that, and it was just really awesome.

Q. What did hope to take away from your experience here? What did you want to show people?

NATHAN FLEWELLING: I just wanted to take away learning from everybody. Such great talent here, and I wanted to kind of take a piece from everybody and kind of better myself. And just kind of gain the experience of being here, so hopefully when the day comes, it's just smooth sailing and I go right into it.

So I just wanted to take away the experience and obviously learn a little bit from the great coaches and the great players here.

Q. Could you talk a little bit about what you were looking forward going into that at-bat and the swing leading into the home run?

NATHAN FLEWELLING: Obviously he just walked a guy, and I knew he was going to try to be aggressive. I was looking first-pitch heater right down in the zone. And that's where I got it, and the rest is history from there.

Q. A couple of years ago at the combine, you really were turning heads. What is it about these showcase environments, I guess, that bring out the best in you?

NATHAN FLEWELLING: Yeah, I don't know. I don't know what to say. It's just being here under the bright lights I think just is really cool. Just letting all the hard work pay off and just playing free, I think, is what's allowed me to be able to do that.

Q. First, on being able to balance your development as a hitter and development as a catcher, what has been sort of your mode that's allowed you to do that?

NATHAN FLEWELLING: Yeah, I think just trying to work as hard as I can no matter what every day. Putting in the hours, having a scheduled time slot to do defense, and obviously take care of hitting. I think of myself as an offensive catcher, and I think it's very important to develop both.

Q. Has the organization given you some benchmarks they want you to hit between now and the end of the season?

NATHAN FLEWELLING: I wouldn't say benchmarks. I would say trying to get better every single day is where we're at. And it's just trying to see -- like, treat every game like it's the seventh game of the World Series and obviously just training as hard as I can so when that day comes, it's just a normal day.

Q. How exciting was it for you sharing this experience with so many Latin American players?

A. Yeah, I think it's great. It was really cool to be able to share it with my Latin teammates obviously. I care a lot about the Dominican Republic. I've been there, and a lot of my friends on my team are from the DR. And I think it's great that are able to unite everybody and play together.

Q. Who are you friends with, the Dominican players?

NATHAN FLEWELLING: On my team back home, I'm friends with a lot. Like Narciso Polanco is one of my favorites. Juanfel Peguero, Angel Mateo. They're a bunch of good guys.

Q. Just curious, was Futures Game on your list of things you were hoping to accomplish this year when you started the season?

NATHAN FLEWELLING: Yeah, it's one of those things that you kind of put in the back of your mind and you don't really worry about it, and you just kind of let the game take care of itself and know that if you work hard every day and you're playing well, then it's meant to be.

I was fortunate enough to get invited here and play in the game, and I was just really happy to be able to do that.

Q. As you think through the second half, what's an area that you're looking to add to next to your game?

NATHAN FLEWELLING: Yeah, I just think be as consistent as possible obviously. Just try to have my best at-bats every single day, not give up any pitches up obviously, and defensive I'm just trying to call good games and work on my receiving as much as I can to win games for my pitchers.

Q. 25 players from last year's game were in the Big Leagues this year. Have you thought about how your timetable and how quickly you think is a reasonable time for you to make the Major Leagues.

NATHAN FLEWELLING: I haven't really thought about it, to be honest. Obviously I'm still young, and I think there's a long ways to go in my development obviously.

I think I'm still learning every single day, but I don't really put a timeline on it. I just go every single day. I think I'm getting more ready every single day, so I think it could be soon.

I'm really willing to impact the Rays team, and I'm excited to get up there one day and hopefully help them out.

Q. Have you homered in a Big League park before?

NATHAN FLEWELLING: Other than the Rogers Centre in a home run derby, I haven't, no.