Best Young MLB Players
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Walker Buehler has the look of an all-time ace.
Major League Baseball has no problem letting the kids play.
Baseball fans continue to get older, but the sport’s best players are trending younger. The first MLB player born in the 2000s, Elvis Luciano, made his big league debut in 2019, and the average player age dipped to 28.3 years — down 0.6 years from Opening Day 2018 and nearly a full year from when it was 29.13 at the start of 2017.
As prospects reach the majors faster and with fresher faces than the previous generation, a large collection of sub-25 superstars are playing, and thriving, to the delight of fans everywhere.
Here are the best major leaguers age 25 and younger.
Note: Players had to be 25 or younger on Aug. 1, 2019. All career stats are through Aug. 14. WAR is via Baseball-Reference.
25. Bo Bichette
Bo Bichette makes good things happen on the baseball diamond.
Position: Shortstop
Age: 21 (March 5, 1998)
Career: 1 season (2019-present)
Teams: Toronto Blue Jays
Stats: 17 G, .365/.420/.689, 4 HR, 8 RBI, 1.2 WAR
World Series titles: 0
Bottom line: Bo Bichette has burst on the scene in Toronto after being called up from Triple-A on July 29, hitting in his first 11 big league games and playing a solid shortstop.
Bichette, the son of former major leaguer Dante Bichette, was the Blue Jays' top prospect and batted .321/.380/.515 with 37 home runs in 323 minor league games.
Fans in Toronto have been inspired by the exceptional start to his career, and that of Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (more on him below), that they can envision a future with lots of wins.
24. Yoan Moncada
Yoan Moncada was born in Abreus, Cuba.
Position: Third baseman
Age: 24 (May 27, 1995)
Career: 4 seasons (2016-19)
Teams: Boston Red Sox (2016), Chicago White Sox (2017-present)
Stats: 308 G, .255/.331/.443, 45 HR, 143 RBI, 6.5 WAR
World Series titles: 0
Bottom line: The White Sox would’ve hoped Yoan Moncada would be higher on this sort of list when they acquired him from the Red Sox as part of the Chris Sale trade during the winter of 2016.
But after a slow start, Moncada is having a breakout 2019 season, hitting 20 home runs and driving in close to 60, as well as raising his on-base percentage and slugging average while also flirting with a .300 batting average.
A shift to third base means his fielding statistics have dipped, but the future is bright for the former No. 1 overall prospect.
23. Josh Hader
Milwaukee Brewers relief pitcher Josh Hader is a two-time All-Star.
Position: Relief pitcher
Age: 25 (April 7, 1994)
Career: 3 seasons (2017-present)
Teams: Milwaukee Brewers
Stats: 10-9, 2.49 ERA, 0.86 WHIP, 37 Saves, 39 Holds, 314 SO, 67 BB, 184.2 IP, 5.6 WAR
World Series titles: 0
Bottom line: Josh Hader has established himself as one of baseball’s best relievers, starting in 2018 when he struck out 143 and registered 21 holds and 12 saves in 81.1 innings.
He became the Brewers' primary closer in 2019 and hasn’t disappointed, with a lower WHIP, opponents batting average and earned run average while also locking down 22 saves in 24 appearances.
Hader’s fastball was dubbed "baseball’s most mysterious pitch," according to FiveThirtyEight.
22. Andrew Benintendi
Andrew Benintendi was a first-round pick of the Red Sox in the 2015 MLB draft.
Position: Outfielder
Age: 25 (July 6, 1994)
Career: 4 seasons (2016-present)
Teams: Boston Red Sox
Stats: 441 G, .283/.359/.452, 50 HR, 252 RBI, 9.7 WAR
World Series titles: 1
Bottom line: Andrew Benintendi hasn’t turned into the prospect the Red Sox hoped yet, but he still is an everyday player for one of the best teams in baseball.
His power numbers aren’t those of a superstar player, but consecutive seasons with a .270 average, 15-plus homers and 80-plus RBIs are nothing to sneeze at.
He’s on pace to get close to those numbers again if he can stay healthy in 2019, and his defense continues to be strong.
Benintendi has had consecutive 10-plus outfield assist seasons and likely will hit that mark again.
21. Shane Bieber
Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Shane Bieber delivers against the Boston Red Sox in 2019.
Position: Pitcher
Age: 24 (May 31, 1995)
Career: 2 seasons (2018-present)
Teams: Cleveland Indians
Stats: 23-10, 3.80 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, 318 SO, 56 BB, 277 IP, 5.2 WAR
World Series titles: 0
Bottom line: Shane Bieber wasn’t an unknown when he entered the majors in 2018, but as Cleveland’s No. 4 prospect before that season, he wasn’t well-regarded.
Bieber has announced his presence since, first with a respectable 11-5 rookie season and a breakout sophomore campaign that included a dominant three-strikeout performance that earned him MVP honors at the 2019 MLB All-Star Game.
Bieber sported a 1.01 WHIP and eye-popping 174:30 strikeout/walk ratio and helped soften the blow of ace Corey Kluber’s injury.
20. Austin Meadows
Austin Meadows made his first All-Star team in 2019.
Position: Outfielder
Age: 24 (May 3, 1995)
Career: 2 seasons (2018-present)
Teams: Pittsburgh Pirates (2018); Tampa Bay Rays (2018-present)
Stats: 158 G, .284/.344/.505, 26 HR, 75 RBI, 2.1 WAR
World Series titles: 0
Bottom line: It pained Pirates fans everywhere when they traded Austin Meadows and starting pitcher Tyler Glasnow for the services of Tampa Bay Rays ace Chris Archer.
Glasnow first showcased one of the best arms in baseball — he’s not on this list because of a forearm injury sustained in May — but Meadows also is proving to be the real deal.
He was an All-Star in 2019 and has impressive slugging numbers (on pace for double-digit doubles, triples and homers) and underrated speed (close to 10 steals this season).
Thanks in part to Meadows’ breakout year, St. Petersburg has the potential to be a fun place for Rays supporters for years to come.
19. Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. swings a big stick.
Position: Third baseman
Age: 20 (March 16, 1999)
Career: 1 season (2019-present)
Teams: Toronto Blue Jays
Stats: 91 G, .272/.344/.456, 13 HR, 52 RBI, 1.8 WAR
World Series titles: 0
Bottom line: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. made the Blue Jays out of spring training after hitting .331/.414/.531 in just 289 minor league games. Although his rookie season has been somewhat uneven — especially given the Blue Jays’ play as a whole — he’s shown flashes.
Guerrero entered the majors as the No. 1 prospect in baseball, and has played like it since the All-Star break, batting .316/.375/.538 after the Midsummer Classic.
He’s cut down his strikeouts and double plays and become the middle-of-the-lineup force scouts were drooling over.
He expects to spearhead the baseball renaissance north of the border and be a fixture with the Jays for years to come.
18. Ozzie Albies
Ozzie Albies made his major league debut in 2017 at the age of 20.
Position: Shortstop
Age: 22 (Jan. 7, 1997)
Career: 3 seasons (2017-present)
Teams: Atlanta Braves
Stats: 336 G, .279/.331/.471, 48 HR, 166 RBI, 8.6 WAR
World Series titles: 0
Bottom line: Ozzie Albies had a breakout 2018 season. His 105 runs were fourth-most in the National League, and his 40 doubles were tied for sixth in the NL as he helped the Braves win the National League East for the first time since 2013.
He uses his legs to wreak havoc on opponents, both on the bases and in the field.
Albies also is a slick fielder, with an incredible .983 fielding percentage in his three-season career.
17. Ketel Marte
Ketel Marte is a solid all-around player.
Position: Shortstop/second base
Age: 25 (Oct.12, 1993)
Career: 5 seasons (2015-present)
Teams: Seattle Mariners (2015-16), Arizona Diamondbacks (2017-present)
Stats: 519 G, .277/.338/.433, 46 HR, 197 RBI, 12.7 WAR
World Series titles: 0
Bottom line: Ketel Marte is something of an unknown (don’t even get us started on the Diamondbacks' anonymity across the sports landscape), but he has been a productive player throughout his career.
There’s no question he ascends to this list based on his 2019 season, where he’s in the top 10 in baseball in WAR, top 20 in OPS and reached the All-Star Game for the first time.
Marte has found his pop playing in the desert. He is on pace for a 30-home-run season for the first time in his major league career, along with 90-plus RBI, and still is an extra-base-hit machine.
Marte is a stud, even if he's a late bloomer.
16. Chris Paddack
San Diego Padres starting pitcher Chris Paddack throws easy gas.
Position: Starting pitcher
Age: 23 (Jan. 8, 1996)
Career: 1 season (2019-present)
Teams: San Diego Padres
Stats: 7-5, 3.26 ERA, 0.93 WHIP, 115 SO, 25 BB, 110.1 IP, 2.0 WAR
World Series titles: 0
Bottom line: Chris Paddack was originally drafted by the Marlins but was curiously dealt to San Diego for Fernando Rodney on June 30, 2016.
Paddack made his major league debut this season and has shown why he was a top-five minor league prospect by tearing up the majors with the Padres.
The only drawback for Paddack is an innings limit that could keep him from winning National League Rookie of the Year, but we suspect he’ll be the ace of some legit starting staffs in San Diego.
15. Corey Seager
Corey Seager was a first-round draft pick (No. 18 overall) in the 2012 MLB draft out of Northwest Cabarrus High School in Concord, North Carolina.
Position: Shortstop
Age: 25 (April 27, 1994)
Career: 5 seasons (2015-present)
Teams: Los Angeles Dodgers
Stats: 451 G, .295/.366/.485, 65 HR, 231 RBI, 16.5 WAR
World Series titles: 0
Bottom line: Corey Seager is an old man on this list, with over 450 games played in five seasons to his career.
But the 2016 NL Rookie of the Year, who also finished third in MVP voting that season, is a two-time All-Star and Silver Slugger who is only this low on the list because injuries are threatening to derail his career. Seager lost all but 26 games to Tommy John surgery in 2018, then was sidelined nearly 30 games to a hamstring injury that likely will keep him from reaching 20-plus homers for the third time in his career.
If he can stay healthy, he could push the Dodgers toward their first championship since 1988.
14. Jose Berrios
Jose Berrios throws four pitches: four-seam fastball, two-seam fastball, curve and changeup.
Position: Starting pitcher
Age: 25 (May 27, 1994)
Career: 4 seasons (2016-present)
Teams: Minnesota Twins
Stats: 39-32, 4.14 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, 534 SO, 179 BB, 549.2 IP, 7.2 WAR
World Series titles: 0
Bottom line: Jose Berrios’ numbers don’t look particularly dominant.
But if you toss out his 2016 season — where he had an 8.02 ERA and 1.87 WHIP in 14 starts — his ERA (3.67) and WHIP (1.17) are positively ace-like.
The Puerto Rico-born starter has led a renaissance in Minnesota, helping turn the Twins into postseason contenders again.
13. Luis Severino
Luis Severino averages 9.9 strikeouts per nine innings in his career.
Position: Starting pitcher
Age: 25 (Feb. 20, 1994)
Career: 5 seasons (2015-present)
Teams: New York Yankees
Stats: 41-25, 3.51 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, 572 SO, 144 BB, 518 IP, 11.7 WAR
World Series titles: 0
Bottom line: A shoulder and lat injury has kept Luis Severino from pitching in 2019, but his presence on this list shows just how dominant his past two seasons have been.
Severino was the ace of a 100-win team in 2018, winning 19 games and pitching 190-plus innings for the second straight year.
Severino boasts a 3.19 ERA in the past two seasons he has pitched (2017-18) and has been an All-Star both years. The Yankees are banking on him to continue that trend when they return as they vie for the World Series in 2019.
12. Pete Alonso
Pete Alonso broke the record for most home runs by a Mets rookie in 2019.
Position: First baseman
Age: 24 (Dec. 7, 1994)
Career: 1 season (2019-present)
Teams: New York Mets
Stats: 119 G, .256/.362/.584, 38 HR, 85 RBI, 3.7 WAR
World Series titles: 0
Bottom line: Mets fans were desperate to see Pete Alonso crack their Opening Day lineup in the 2019 season, and they haven’t been disappointed.
Alonso has light-tower power, showcasing it on the national stage by winning the Home Run Derby at the 2019 MLB All-Star Game in Cleveland, and is among the National League's top 10 in home runs and RBI.
He set the record for most home runs in a single season by a Mets rookie (passing Darryl Strawberry, who hit 27 in 1983), and his bat has boosted New York's offense and gives the team a dangerous weapon moving forward.
11. Gleyber Torres
Gleyber Torres was born in Caracas, Venezuela.
Position: Shortstop/second baseman
Age: 22 (Dec. 13, 1996)
Career: 2 seasons (2018-present)
Teams: New York Yankees
Stats: 233 G, .277/.344/.500, 50 HR, 146 RBI, 5.8 WAR
World Series titles: 0
Bottom line: The Yankees received Gleyber Torres in the trade that sent Aroldis Chapman to the Chicago Cubs in 2016, and the Cubs still might be kicking itself even though they broke a 108-year World Series drought.
Torres is one of the game’s most exciting players, plays solid defense at two important positions and is a unicorn in terms of his power for a middle infielder.
Torres finished third in Rookie of the Year voting in 2018, behind Shohei Ohtani and teammate Miguel Andujar, and sometimes gets overshadowed by the Yankees' stars, but he will be a longtime fixture in the middle of their lineup.
10. Rafael Devers
Rafael Devers was born in Sanchez, Dominican Republic.
Position: Third baseman
Age: 22 (Oct. 24, 1996)
Career: 3 seasons (2017-present)
Teams: Boston Red Sox
Stats: 299 G, .285/.338/.504, 56 HRs, 190 RBIs, 6.0 WAR
World Series titles: 1 (2018)
Bottom line: Rafael Devers has brought stability to the Red Sox's third-base position, no small feat given the fact they’re still paying Pablo Sandoval two years after Boston cut him.
Devers announced his presence with an impressive home run off Aroldis Chapman in 2017 but has broken out in 2019.
He leads the majors in hits and doubles and has set a career high in home runs with 25. Who knows where Boston would be without him.
9. Shohei Ohtani
Shohei Ohtani is a legend in his native Japan.
Position: Outfielder/pitcher
Age: 25 (July 5, 1994)
Career: 2 seasons (2018-present)
Teams: Los Angeles Angels
Stats: 187 G, .290/.359/.539, 37 HR, 110 RBI, 5.9 WAR
World Series titles: 0
Bottom line: Shohei Ohtani isn’t pitching in 2019, due to an elbow injury limiting his throwing, but he still is among the most fascinating players in baseball.
While the defending AL Rookie of the Year plays amid relative anonymity in Anaheim, and in the shadow of superstar Mike Trout, Ohtani clearly belongs.
He has a .290 average in 2019 and also became the first Japanese-born player to hit for the cycle against the Tampa Bay Rays on June 13.
8. Fernando Tatis Jr.
Fernando Tatis Jr. is a rising MLB star.
Position: Shortstop
Age: 20 (Jan. 2, 1999)
Career: 1 season (2019- present)
Teams: San Diego Padres
Stats: 84 G, .317/.379/.590, 22 HR, 53 RBI, 4.2 WAR
World Series titles: 0
Bottom line: Fernando Tatis Jr. made the Padres out of spring training, to the delight of baseball fans everywhere, and he has lived up to the hype.
The son of a former All-Star infielder has overcome a hamstring injury to lead all rookies in triples (6), batting average (.317) and slugging percentage (.519), while also placing in the top five among MLB rookies in stolen bases (16) and homers (22).
With Tatis and Manny Machado manning the half of San Diego’s infield for the next decade, the Padres have more than hope on their side.
7. Juan Soto
Juan Soto hit 22 home runs in his rookie season in 2018.
Position: Outfielder
Age: 20 (Oct. 25, 1998)
Career: 2 seasons (2018-present)
Teams: Washington Nationals
Stats: 225 G, .291/.405/.531, 47 HR, 149 RBI, 6.6 WAR
World Series titles: 0
Bottom line: The Nationals haven’t added too many homegrown prospects in the past three seasons, so when Juan Soto got the call on May 19, 2018, there was a legitimate cause for excitement.
Soto blasted through the minors and made his big league debut as a 19-year-old, posting 22 homers, 70 RBIs and finishing as the runner-up for NL Rookie of the Year.
Despite the Nationals’ uneven 2019 season, Soto has been a model of consistency, blasting 25 homers, continuing to slug over .500 and driving in runs at a 100-RBI clip.
Soto isn’t of legal drinking age in the United States, which means he still has years until he’ll reach his peak. That's good news for Soto and the Nationals.
6. Carlos Correa
Carlos Correa was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2012 MLB draft.
Position: Shortstop
Age: 24 (Sept. 22, 1994)
Career: 5 seasons (2015-present)
Teams: Houston Astros
Stats: 538 G, .278/.357/.487, 98 HR, 366 RBI, 21.0 WAR
World Series titles: 1 (2017)
Bottom line: Carlos Correa is a linchpin — at the most important position — for the 2017 World Series champions in Houston.
He was the first pick of the 2012 draft and had the highest expectations among the Astros’ remarkable run of drafting in the early 2010s.
It’s hard to believe Correa is only 24, but he was an All-Star in 2017, made the All-World Baseball Classic team and won the title that year.
Injuries have limited him since, but he’s still one of baseball’s best when he’s able to suit up.
5. Walker Buehler
Walker Buehler has the kind of stuff that can make noise in the Show for a long time.
Position: Starting pitcher
Age: 25 (July 28, 1994)
Career: 3 seasons (2017-present)
Teams: Los Angeles Dodgers
Stats: 19-7, 3.01 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, 325 SO, 68 BB, 4.9 WAR
World Series titles: 0
Bottom line: Walker Buehler has shined in two seasons since he made the Dodgers out of spring training in 2018.
In his rookie campaign, he had a 2.62 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and .193 opponents batting average while going 8-5 and helping the Dodgers reach the World Series. In 2019, he's had an even better season.
He won nine of his first 10 starts and surpassed his 2018 strikeout total in two fewer starts, with a few more starts still to go in his sophomore run.
His 160:23 (6.96) strikeout-to walk ratio is one of the best in major league history.
4. Ronald Acuna Jr.
Ronald Acuna Jr. is a five-tool player.
Position: Outfielder
Age: 21 (Dec. 18, 1997)
Career: 2 seasons (2018-present)
Teams: Atlanta Braves
Stats: 232 G, .296/.372/.546, 60 HR, 146 RBI, 9.3 WAR
World Series titles: 0
Bottom line: Ronald Acuna Jr. isn’t quite a household name, but that won’t be the case for long. The 21-year-old became the fourth-fastest player to hit 50 home runs on July 22.
The reigning NL Rookie of the Year, who signed an eight-year, $100 million contract with the Braves in the offseason, was an All-Star in 2019 and is on pace to post a 30-30 homer-steal season, something nearly unheard of in the days of limited base stealing.
Acuna has topped 100 runs, too, and will be the face of a budding dynasty in Atlanta.
3. Francisco Lindor
Francisco Lindor, right, is one of the game's brightest stars.
Position: Shortstop
Age: 25 (Nov. 14, 1993)
Career: 5 seasons (2015-present)
Teams: Cleveland Indians
Stats: 676 G, .291/.351/.492, 118 HR, 361 RBI, 27.8 WAR
World Series titles: 0
Bottom line: Francisco Lindor has been one of the best players in baseball regardless of age, with a .980 fielding percentage, relatively low strikeout totals and three .300-plus seasons in his five years in the majors.
After finishing second in Rookie of the Year voting as a 21-year-old, Lindor has had four straight All-Star Game appearances, with two straight Silver Slugger awards and a Gold Glove in 2016.
He posted an amazing 25-25 season in 2018, with 25 steals and 38 homers, and led the majors with 129 runs scored. He’s on pace to complete another 25-25 campaign and is making a case for AL MVP during Cleveland’s resurgent play.
2. Alex Bregman
Alex Bregman is a two-time All-Star and World Series champion.
Position: Third baseman
Age: 25 (March 30, 1994)
Career: 4 seasons (2016-present)
Teams: Houston Astros
Stats: 476 G, .281/.376/.512, 86 HR, 285 RBI, 18.3 WAR
World Series titles: 1 (2017)
Bottom line: If this list had come out on Opening Day, Alex Bregman would’ve been the top player on it.
He was the catalyst for a World Series champion in 2017, then had an all-world 2018 season with a major league-best 51 doubles, 31 homers and 103 RBIs while also winning MVP honors at the All-Star Game.
Bregman is enjoying another nice season, with 25-plus homers and 75-plus RBIs, but no player can compare with the No. 1 on the list, especially in 2019.
1. Cody Bellinger
Cody Bellinger was drafted in the fourth round of the 2013 MLB draft out of Hamilton High School in Chandler, Arizona.
Position: Outfielder
Age: 24 (July 13, 1995)
Career: 3 seasons (2017-present)
Teams: Los Angeles Dodgers
Stats: 411 G, .279/.367/.562, 103 HR, 263 RBI, 16.0 WAR
World Series titles: 0
Bottom line: Cody Bellinger is playing like the best player in baseball with an otherworldly 2019 season.
After hitting 39 homers and driving in 97 runs in his breakout rookie season in 2017 to help the Dodgers win the National League, he regressed slightly in his sophomore campaign but still hit 25 homers, drove in 76 and played 162 games.
In his third season, Bellinger has become a force in all facets of the game. He has a .990 fielding percentage, leads the majors in outfield assists with 10, is on pace to swipe double-digit bases and remains in contention to win the Triple Crown.
Can you say MVP?