On the surface, Bryce Harper's performance at Major League Baseball's Futures Game on Sunday may have been a bit of a letdown. Finishing 0 for 4, Harper struck out twice and bee-lined two grounders to the first baseman. But as SI.com's Joe Lemire says, that doesn't even begin to tarnish the 18-year-old's array of accomplishments or dull his future prospects.

"What Harper still showed on the day were his first-rate tools, even if he failed to use them in a way that made a difference in the outcome," Lemire writes. "It was, however, just one game. Players are allowed to have a bad game now and again, especially when facing a barrage of the game's best international pitching prospects, opposing the Braves' Julio Teheran, Mariners lefty James Paxton, Blue Jays' Henderson Alvarez and the Royals' Kelvin Herrera. Part of why Harper more than other toolsy players is on a major league fast-track is his in-game maturity: He takes walks and more often than not makes the smart throw."

But despite the outfielder's maturity and skill, the Nationals have chosen to be conservative with their rising star, likely not calling him up to the majors this year to give him more time to develop.  And that seems fine by Harper.

"I'm just going to let them make their decisions," Harper said. "(General manager) Mike Rizzo does a great job with everything."

Wise answer.

Up tonight

MLB's home run derby:  The National League and the American League square off in Monday night’s charity exhibition at the Diamondbacks' Chase Field.

By the numbers

$8.71 million - Prize that the winner of this year's World Series of Poker is expected to walk away with.

16 - Number of MLB All-Stars who will not play in this year's game. Placido Polanco and David Price became the latest stars to withdraw.

20,000 - Number of fans that track owner Bruton Smith claims missed out on the inaugural Kentucky 400 on Saturday because of traffic.