Baseball is like no other sport in terms of its fans embracing their favorite teams young talent making an impact in the big leagues. Already in this brief season, Jason Heyward of the Atlanta Braves and Ike Davis of the New York Mets have sent their teams fans into a frenzy over their successful debuts. Later this year, we should see even more highly anticipated debuts as such names as Stephen Strasburg, Aroldis Chapman, Justin Smoak, and Starlin Castro are expected to make the jump to the big leagues. I am just like most baseball fans and love to see young talent succeed in the big leagues and with that I decided to compile a list of the top 25 players under 25 currently in the big leagues. Today, I am going to reveal my list of the top 25 position players with the top 25 pitchers to follow. Keep in mind that all players on this list are currently on MLB rosters and minor league prospects were not taken into consideration. Without further adieu here are the Top 25 Position Players Under 25 with their age in parentheses:
1. Evan Longoria (24) – 60 HR and 198 RBI in first 2 seasons. Off to a great start in 2010 and should add an MVP to his collection soon.
2. Justin Upton (22) – 20 HR-20 SB guy last year. Arguably the best athlete in baseball who should reach 30 HR-30 SB in the near future.
3. Pablo Sandoval (23) – .300 hitter with 25-30 HR and 90-100 RBI ability. “Kung Fu Panda” is already a fan favorite and feared hitter.
4. Jason Heyward (20) – 2010 No. 1 prospect has gotten off to a .302, 3 HR, 15 RBI start in 43 big league at-bats at the age of 20. Looks to be the leader of the newest crop of talent from the minor leagues.
5. Matt Wieters (23) – The most-hyped prospect of 2009 has uncanny power and hitting ability from both sides of the plate. Look for Wieters to make huge strides this season and become one of the premier catchers in the near future.
6. Billy Butler (24) – .301 AVG, 21 HR, and 93 RBI in first full season. Set to become a premier slugger with 30 HR-100 RBI not out of the question.
7. Carlos Gonzalez (24) – 5-tool talent that started to showcase those tools last season. Should be a mainstay in the Rockies outfield and top of the order for years to come.
8. Adam Jones (24) – One of the best athletes on this list. Great arm and 20 HR-20 SB talent.
9. Andrew McCutchen (23) – Another 5-tool talent from the leadoff spot. Outstanding speed and developing power. Set to become premier leadoff hitter in the majors.
10. Gordon Beckham (23) – Future All-Star 2B. Made the leap from Double-A to the majors last season and displayed a good hitting prowess. The future of the White Sox.
11. Jay Bruce (23) – Has struggled to hit consistently at the big league level. The former No. 1 overall prospect has arguably the most upside of any hitter on this list and has the potential to become a big run-producer.
12. Delmon Young (24) – Like Bruce, has failed to hit consistently enough to live up to his enormous potential. Still a great talent with good upside who has hit a solid .289 for his career. Entering a make or break year in the big leagues.
13. Chris Coghlan (24) – 2009 NL Rookie of the Year is a scrappy top of the order hitter. Shows good plate discipline and should hit for a high average in his career.
14. Colby Rasmus (23) – Has above-average power and speed from the left side who hit 16 HR for the Cardinals in his rookie campaign last season. Solid defender who should be a premier center fielder within the next few years.
15. Elvis Andrus (21) – Biggest assets are his speed and defense. A future Gold Glover who projects as a leadoff hitter and threat on the basepaths.
16. Cameron Maybin (23) – One of the most talented players on this list. Currently hitting near the top of the Marlins lineup with his great speed, but has the ability to become a middle of the order hitter as he continues to grow into his frame. Looking to put it together in his first full season this year.
17. Dexter Fowler (24) – Had an up and down season at the plate last season with the Rockies as he needs to hit for a higher average. An elite defender and base-stealer (27 SB in ’09) who should be a top of the order threat with Gonzalez in the Rockies outfield.
18. Kyle Blanks (23) – After hitting 10 HR in only 148 AB last season for the Padres, the 6-6/285 lb big man projects as a huge power threat in the near future. Despite his large frame, reminiscent of the “Big Hurt” Frank Thomas, he is athletic enough to play in the outfield, though his natural position is at first base.
19. Austin Jackson (23) – The newest Tiger has gotten off to a solid start (.333 AVG, 5 RBI, 2 SB from the leadoff spot) in his first big league season. Jackson ironically projects similarly to the man he was traded for in Curtis Granderson. Look for him to rise up this list next season.
20. Alcides Escobar (23) – In his first season as the Brewers everyday shortstop. A potential game-changer with both his glove and speed. Hit .304 in 125 AB with the Brewers last year.
21. Ike Davis (23) – The Mets top prospect made his major league debut last night against the Cubs and didn’t disappoint by going 2 for 4 with an RBI. The 18th overall selection in the 2008 draft hit 20 HR in the minors last year along with a .298 AVG. He projects as a middle of the order threat from the left side of the plate.
22. Ian Desmond (24) – The former 3rd round pick of the Nationals in 2004 is finally starting to put it together. Desmond is a late-bloomer who is starting to hit for contact consistently. He earned the starting nod at short over Cristian Guzman and looks to be the Nationals shortstop of the future.
23. Tyler Colvin (24) – After hitting .468 with 2 HR and 18 RBI in 25 Spring Training games this year, Colvin earned a spot on the Cubs 25 man roster. Currently a part of a 5 man outfield rotation in Chicago, Colvin doesn’t project to provide off the chart numbers this year. However, the former first round pick can swing the bat and also provides above average speed. Look for his name in the coming years.
24. Everth Cabrera (23) – A Rule 5 pick of the Padres last season, Cabrera took the shortstop position as his own by displaying great work with the glove and providing 25 SB in 103 games. Cabrera must hit for a higher average to become an even bigger threat on the basepaths.
25. Asdrubal Cabrera (24) – Has proven to be a solid major league infielder as his bat as caught up to his great defense. In 2009, he hit .308 and provided 68 RBI and 17 SB for the Indians. While he might not reach star status, he should have a long and productive big league career.
Honorable Mention: Julio Borbon (24), Sean Rodriguez (24), Chris Davis (24), Reid Brignac (24)
great reporting Ryan! i pretty much agree 100% with ya here.