MLB Hitters Under 25
Discovering Major League Baseball’s youngest All Stars batters under the age of 25.
The maxim goes, “when one door closes, another opens”. Parting with loved ones is always tearjerking, and this season was exceptionally tough. Fans held back tears watching greats such as David Ortiz and Mark Teixera step away from the game. However, just as Ortiz hung up his cleats, a young rookie laced them up. When Teixera walked away, a future All Star stepped up to the plate. In a few years, Miguel Cabrera, Albert Pujols, Evan Longoria and other childhood heroes will retire. By then, MLB will be headlined by new All Stars and MVP’s. Let us see meet who is behind this new door.
Catcher- Gary Sanchez, New York Yankees (24)
On August 3rd the New York Yankees promoted catcher Gary Sanchez to the majors and his talents flooded the Bronx. Sanchez recorded his first Major League hit that day; a week later he smashed his first Major League home run. Six days later, he hit two home runs in one game. By month’s end, the 24 year old Dominican won the AL Player of The Week twice, AL Player of The Month and AL Rookie of The Month. After only 53 games, Sanchez finished his 2016 campaign with 20 home runs and a .299 batting average. He will be the opening day starting catcher which will lead to a plethora of plate appearances (PA) compared to his historical, yet short, rookie season. Though Spring Training produces stats that are more laughable than significant, it is worth noting that in 23 PA’s, Sanchez is hitting .346 with three home runs and nine RBI’s.
First Base- Greg Bird, New York Yankees (24)
Stop it. I will wait while you find me another decent first baseman under the age of 25. Fans, rightfully so, question the legitimacy of Greg Bird and mentioning the 24 year old’s name sets off a Pavlovian argument. In 2015, the Memphis native played in only 46 games. Despite his pedestrian .261 batting average, he belted 11 home runs and 31 RBI’s. Later in the offseason, he suffered a shoulder injury that required him to miss all of 2016. Bird’s 2015 sample size does not scream “MVP!”. This past offseason longtime veteran Mark Teixeira retired which leaves the first baseman position wide open. Assuming Bird stays healthy, it is his job to lose. Watch out for the burly, 220 pound Bird to take advantage of the short right field porch and to double his 2015 home run total (at least).
Second Base- Trea Turner, Washington Nationals (23)
Yes, yes, yes. Trea Turner will captain the infield this upcoming season. However, for convenience’s sake, let us start him at second base, the position he dominated last season. During his rookie campaign, Turner wowed baseball fans throughout the nation. His lighting bolt speed produced 33 stolen bases (in only 39 attempts) and will certainly enable him to swipe more in the upcoming seasons. Unlike Billy Hamilton, Turner has more to his game than just speed. His .342 batting average and 13 home runs (in only 73 games) threw him into a tight race with Corey Seager for the National League Rookie Of The Year (Seager won). Turner is one, among many, players that will be fun to watch over the next decade(s??).
Third Base- Manny Machado, Baltimore Orioles (24)
Three-time All Star. Two-time Gold Glove winner. Five seasons. How? Manny Machado has formed himself into a stalwart that can produce from both ends of the field. He cranked 35 (or more) home runs in each of the past two seasons and is coming off his best season yet. Last year, on top of swatting 37 home runs, Machado hit .294, scored 105 runs and 96 RBI’s. All career highs. Machado’s defensive stardom is just as impressive. He does not merely play Third Base. He owns the hot corner. This past season, Machado led all third basemen in Fielding Percentage (.973%). Be prepared for Machado to lead this league in the years to come.
Shortstop- Corey Seager, Los Angelos Dodgers (22)
Believe me, I was dithering about this and was so close to listing Corey Seager, Xander Bogaerts and Fransisco Lindor as a three-man Shortstop rotation. It is impossible to determine which of the trio deserves this starting job. You could play the numbers game…spoiler alert: Seager wins that round (his 193 hits, 26 home runs and .308 batting average narrowly beat Bogaerts and Lindor last season). I made my decision based off pure instinct. His maturity and ability to accomplish so much at such a young age is irresistible. In his first official season, the 22 year old baby won the NL Rookie Of The Year, Silver Slugger award and was voted to his first (soon to be many) All Star appearance. He fits in with the best of the best and his stats prove it. Seager ranked 10th or higher amongst NL players in Wins Above Replacement (WAR) (6.1), Batting Average (.308), Slugging Percentage (.512), Hits (193), Runs Scored (105) and Doubles (40). If his rookie campaign is any indication of how his career will pan out, I suggest you sit back, relax and enjoy the show.
Outfielder 1- Mookie Betts, Boston Red Sox (24)
What can the 2016 MVP-runner up NOT do? Before Mookie Betts turned 24 in October, he jacked up video game like numbers. Betts walloped 31 home runs, brought in 113 RBI’s, all while hitting an impressive .318 en route to his first All Star season. In addition to his rare combination of power and ability to get on base, Betts provides an extra threat to opposing teams: speed. His 26 stolen bases ranked 6th amongst American Leaguers. David Ortiz retired last season and Boston is searching for their new leg. Mookie Betts is shaping up to be just that.
Outfielder 2- Bryce Harper, Washington Nationals (24)
I am not Bryce Harper’s biggest fan. As stubborn as I am, it is impossible to be incredulous towards the 2015 MVP’s greatness. With four All Star selections in only five seasons, Bryce Harper is one of our generation’s greatest outfielders. In 2015, Harper terrorized the world with his king kong-like destruction. In addition to his .330 batting average, he tormented pitchers by leading the league in home runs (42) and slugging percentage (.649). That is what Bryce Harper is capable of doing. However, in 2016, Harper had a pedestrian season by squeaking out 24 home runs and 86 RBI’s. Nothing to write home about. Yet, with his 21 stolen bases and 108 walks, Harper helped propel the Washington Nationals to the Division Title. If Harper can revive his 2015-self , we will witness one of the greatest baseball players to play. That is a big IF.
Outfielder 3-Kyle Schwarber, Chicago Cubs (24)
The 24 year old big boy from Ohio missed all of 2016. Yet, in their Fantasy Baseball rankings, ESPN has him 72nd overall. Two years ago in his rookie season, Schwarber flashed promising signs of star potential. Although his .246 batting average was well below average, his season was complemented by his power department. In just 69 games, he swatted 16 home runs (and even legged out a triple for his first major league hit). As the years pass, the home runs will amass.
Designated Hitter- Miguel Sano, Minnesota Twins (23)
Okay, Miguel Sano has made it very clear that he did not come to Minnesota to hit for average. His raw power is what separates him from everyone else. During his rookie campaign (in which he finished 3rd in the Rookie Of The Year voting), Sanu rocked 18 home runs in 80 games. The following season, he smoked 25 dingers. This positive trajectory puts Sanu on pace to hit 30, 40 or maybe 50 home runs in a few seasons but don’t expect this mammoth to hit close to .275.
Bench:
Xander Bogaerts, Boston Red Sox (24)
Fransisco Lindor, Cleveland Indians (23)
Carlos Correa, Houston Astros (22)
Rougned Odor, Texas Rangers (23)
Alex Bregman, Houston Astros (22)
Trevor Story, Colorado Rockies (24)
You should be salivating by now. The phrase “future All Stars” is unnecessary here. This starting lineup has combined for nine All Star selections. I can guarantee that at least one (if not multiple) players on this list will win an MVP within the next five years. Baseball is fun. And it will continue to get more and more fun as the seasons fly by. I suggest you enjoy the ride, because the competition only grows stronger as time progresses.
