Former Great Bridge standout Michael Cuddyer isn't ready for the big leagues after only 1 1/2 pro seasons, but today he will take on the world.

Cuddyer is one of two third basemen on a U.S. team that faces a team of international players at Fenway Park in the first All-Star Futures Game. The teams were culled from the minor leagues at the recommendation of Baseball America magazine, the Commissioner's Office and the 30 major league teams.

``I'm pretty excited that someone thinks I'm one of the best prospects in baseball,'' Cuddyer said.

Cuddyer was one of five Class A players chosen and will share third base with Buffalo Bisons' slugger Russell Branyan.

``To play in Fenway Park two days before the Major League All-Star Game ranks right up there with my biggest thrills,'' Cuddyer said.

Cuddyer, the Minnesota Twins' top draft pick in 1997, was batting .280 with nine home runs and 38 RBIs through Wednesday. He also had nine stolen bases.

``I got off to a slow start, or at least not as good as I'd hoped,'' he said. ``But I'm feeling more comfortable at the plate and in the field now. I'm making more plays and fewer errors.''

Cuddyer was moved to third base from shortstop after committing a league-leading 61 errors at Ft. Wayne of the Midwest League last season.

``I bought into it,'' he said. ``The Twins have a 21-year-old shortstop (Christian Guzman) and another shortstop who is 19 or 20 in Double-A. There is not really anybody ahead of me at third base.''

Cuddyer said he was briefly considered for this month's Pan-Am Games, which will use professionals for the first time. That didn't work out, but he would like to play in the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, Australia.

``I think they were looking for more experienced players for the Pan-Am team,'' he said.

Cuddyer's immediate goal is to move up in the organization and finish this season at Double-A New Britain, Conn.

``I'm just going to keep playing, and if I do well, things will take care of themselves,'' he said.