The talent pool of young players within Major League Baseball is quite good at the moment. Pitchers are throwing harder than ever, position players are now multi-faceted athletes with versatility, and as a result, the game continues to grow at a very good clip. Whereas it used to be the norm that younger players would languish at the Minor League level for years before being professionals, this current era is seeing a host of youngsters emerge right before our eyes. Here are the best 25 players in Major League Baseball under the age of 25.
25. Jackson Holliday — Baltimore Orioles (20 Years Old)
Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
We’re cheating a bit with one. Holliday is the best prospect in baseball. He’s not yet played in a Major League game, but it’s only a matter of time until he gets his opportunity to be an everyday player in Baltimore. From a hit-tool standpoint, Holliday is excellent. He’s hit for average at every level within the Minor Leagues. Holliday’s balance at the plate is tremendous, and it’s beautiful to watch his hands fly through the zone with a whip while his hips rotate with a picture-perfect form to accrue both launch angle and velocity.
24. Edouard Julien — Minnesota Twins (24 Years Old)
Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
The Canadian infielder was quite good for the Twins last year. As a rookie, he hit a respectable .263 with 16 HRs. Julien had a top-10 on-base percentage in the American League last year. His command of the strike zone as a hitter is as good as you’ll find. He doesn’t chase pitches, and as a result, earns his fair share of walks. You can envision a scenario where he sees an uptick in both average and power. Minnesota also loves the fact he’s got positional versatility. Julien finished with an OPS of .839 in 20.
23. Anthony Volpe — New York Yankees (22 Years Old)
Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports
The prized jewel of the Yankees’ organization struggled a bit last year. It was to be expected considering it was Volpe’s first year with extended play on the Big Leagues level. Volpe hit .209 in 541 ABs. However, he hit 21 HRs and swiped 19 bags in 23 attempts. At only 22 years of age, you’d have to think Volpe’s average will increase in 2024. Defensively is where Volpe shined. He was the first player in New York history to win a Gold Glove as a rookie. Volpe was also the youngest shortstop in league history to earn the honor.
22. Hunter Greene — Cincinnati Reds (24 Years Old)
Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
We’re betting on Greene taking a big step forward in 2024. The former No. 1 Overall pick has one of the best fastballs in the game. It sits in the 97th percentile in terms of velocity. He also earned a whiff rate of 30.5 percent a year ago — which identically matched his strikeout percentage. However, Greene’s struggles came with location. He walked 48 batters in only 112.0 IP. It led to him accumulating a 4.82 ERA and a 4-7 overall record. This offseason, Greene has added a curveball and a splitter as a means to diversify his arsenal. Assuming he can stay healthy, the added offspeed pitches should enable his fastball to play up even further for the upstart Reds.
21. Spencer Torkelson — Detroit Tigers (24 Years Old)
Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
The slugging first baseman had a reputation as a hitter when entering the Tigers organization. We saw glimpses of that last year. His HR totals jumped from 8 to 33. His RBI numbers went from 28 to 94. Torkelson’s batting average also increased 30 points to .233. He did strike out 171 times, though this number should improve as he gets more experienced. Detroit might be a sneaky contender to win the AL Central this year. If they do, it’ll likely be because Torkelson took yet another step.
20. Jordan Walker — St. Louis Cardinals (21 Years Old)
Joe Puetz-USA TODAY Sports
Walker has some of the highest upside of any player in the league. At 6-foot-6 and close to 250 pounds, the Georgia native has immense natural strength. He can muscle the ball out to all parts of the park with relative ease. In 420 at-bats last year with the Cardinals, Walker hit 16 HRs, drove in 51 RBIs, and hit .276 (with a .787 OPS). At only 21 years of age, the outfielder has the look of someone who will star in St. Louis for the next decade.
19. Elly De La Cruz — Cincinnati Reds (22 Years Old)
David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports
Speaking of ceiling, rarely do you see a 6-foot-5 athlete operate with as much force and athleticism as Cruz. Possessing a slender, lengthy frame, Cruz came up last year and reminded everyone why he was at the time the best prospect in baseball. We saw glimpses of a guy who could steal 60+ bags, hit 30+ homers, and win Gold Gloves. He Just turned 22, and as such there’s plenty of time for Cruz’s development. At his peak, you could be looking at one of the most exciting players in all of baseball. Cruz notched 35 SBs and 7 triples in only 98 games last year. Imagine what a full season could entail.
18. Brayan Bello — Boston Red Sox (24 Years Old)
Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports
The native of the Dominican Republic won 12 games last year for Boston. He figures to be one of the team’s better starters heading into this year. He’s an elite ground ball pitcher — registering in the 92nd percentile of the entire league. Bello is good at mixing his assortment of pitches, which includes a mid-90s sinker, a changeup, a slider, and an occasional cutter. There’s a lot to like about his consistency, and as such he projects as a solid starter for years to come.
17. Gavin Williams — Cleveland Guardians (24 Years Old)
Robert Edwards-USA TODAY Sports
The 6-foot-6 righty out of North Carolina was a first-round pick three years ago out of East Carolina. He steadily made his way through the Guardians’ system — making his professional debut last year. Williams went 3-5 with a 3.29 ERA. However, he allowed only 66 hits in 82.0 IP. In 10 of his 16 starts, he allowed two or less runs. Baseball Savant indicated that Williams graded out in the 99th percentile of all MLB in extension. He also allowed the opposition to barrel up only 5.4 percent of his throws (85th percentile). Move over, Shane Bieber. Here is your new ace in Cleveland.
16. CJ Abrams — Washington Nationals (23 Years Old)
Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Abrams was one of the signature pieces Washington got back in the Juan Soto deal. Getting a chance to play every day resulted in Abrams making big strides. He did have an above-average chase rate relative to the league average, and he also did accrue 22 errors. On the other hand, Abrams did hit 18 HRs and steal 47 bases. His productivity skyrocketed once being put in the leadoff spot. If he can cut down on chasing pitches outside of the zone, you’re looking at a budding star.
15. Riley Greene — Detroit Tigers (23 Years Old)
Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Greene is among a group of very talented young players in the Motor City. Formerly drafted No. 5 Overall in the 2019 MLB Draft, the rangy outfielder made his debut as a 21-year-old in 2022. Last year in 99 games, he hit .288 with 11 HRs and 37 RBIs. While he had Tommy John surgery on his non-throwing elbow, he’s already made it back to action — featuring in multiple Spring Training games this month. 47.3 percent of the balls he put in play last year were of the hard-hit variety (exit velocity of over 95 MPH). Detroit fans have to be elated by his quick recovery. There’s some Carlos Beltran in his game assuming Greene continues to add pop.
14. Royce Lewis — Minnesota Twins (24 Years Old)
Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
It took a while for the Southern California native to reach the Bigs after he was drafted in the First Round of the 2017 MLB Draft. However, when Lewis has been healthy, there’s no denying the thunder in his bat. He’s a career .307 hitter versus Major League pitching. In 2023, Lewis clubbed four homers during the Twins’ postseason run. In 58 games, he hit 15 HRs and drove in 52 RBIs with a .309 average. Those numbers are truly impressive — though he has to prove he can play close to a full season before he moves up in the pecking order of elite hitters in this league.
13. Matt McLain — Cincinnati Reds (24 Years Old)
Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
The former UCLA Bruin conservatively speaking is already one of the better second basemen in the league. As a rookie last year, he hit .290 with 16 HRs and a very solid .864 OPS. For good measure, he also stole 14 bags and had only five errors the entire season. If you’re a plus-contact hitter at 2B with 20-20 upside AND a potential .300 hitter at the age of 24, you’re primed for some big years ahead.
12. Triston Casas — Boston Red Sox (24 Years Old)
Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
Casas is a homegrown middle-of-the-order bat for the Red Sox. Slotted at 1B/DH for the foreseeable future, the 6-foot-5 masher has the profile of a guy who one day can approach 40 HRs. As a rookie last year, he hit .263 with 24 HRs and 65 RBIs. He did have a very solid .856 OPS — largely because Casas has patience at the plate (resulting in plenty of walks). There’s not much to be excited about in Boston at this point regarding the baseball team, but Casas truly is a bright spot.
11. Abner Uribe — Milwaukee Brewers (23 Years Old)
Michael McLoone-USA TODAY Sports
Uribe is nasty — there’s no other way to put it. Milwaukee probably felt okay about letting Josh Hader walk knowing Uribe was waiting in the wings as the future closer. He averaged 99.5 MPH on his sinker last year. In 30.2 IP, Uribe registered a 1.76 ERA — allowing only 16 hits and striking out 39 (zero HRs allowed). Hitters also hit less than .100 against his slider. If you’re looking for a future lockdown closer, Uribe fits the bill.
10. Gabriel Moreno — Arizona Diamondbacks (24 Years Old)
Rob Schumacher/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK
Gabriel Moreno is already one of the best catchers in the Big Leagues — and there’s a chance he could become the best catcher within the next couple of seasons. He’s coming off a season in which he threw out 39 percent of attempted base stealers. It unsurprisingly resulted in a Gold Glove. At the plate, he’s more of a contact hitter than a power guy — though he did club 4 HRs during Arizona’s magical run last postseason. Moreno hit .284 last year, and there’s a world in which he approaches the .300 mark in future seasons.
9. Evan Carter — Texas Rangers (21 Years Old)
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Evan Carter was put to the test in his first season in the Majors. And, he passed with flying colors. The top prospect was called up to Texas’ roster in September. He made just 23 appearances before the postseason began. In those games, Carter smashed the baseball. He knocked five homers in his first 75 plate appearances. The 21-year-old proceeded to bat .300 during the postseason on the Rangers’ World Series run. Penciled in as an every-day starter for ’24, Carter has already shown signs of stardom.
8. Grayson Rodriguez — Baltimore Orioles (24 Years Old)
Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports
It didn’t look so good for Grayson Rodriguez early on. The O’s top pitcher made his highly-anticipated debut in the Majors in ’23. He was back in Norfolk in May. Rodriguez struggled out of the gates and boasted a 7.33 ERA over his first 11 starts. A two-month stint in the Minors seemed to clear up any issues. When he returned, Rodriguez looked like an entirely new pitcher. Over his last 11 starts, the 24-year-old had a 2.18 ERA and gave up just 3 HR over 66 IP.
7. Michael Harris II — Atlanta Braves (23 Years Old)
Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
The gifted center fielder made his Major League debut in ’22, and has been excellent for the juggernaut Braves ever since. Some were questioning his bat after early struggles last year. Harris picked it up after a rough April/May and registered a .321/.352/.529 slash-line over the final 110 games. There are several Gold Gloves in his near future. Harris is one of the best defensive outfielders in baseball, a skill that will keep him in Atlanta’s star-studded lineup every day even if he struggles at the plate.
6. Bobby Miller — Los Angeles Dodgers (24 Years Old)
Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
LA’s flamethrowing righty has a chance to be the best pitcher in baseball. And, we don’t say that with hyperbole. Miller has all the tools to be the game’s best. He already has one of the richest arsenals in the league. Miller can put away batters with five different pitches, including a fastball that routinely passes triple-digits on the radar gun. The youngster struggled a bit during the Dodgers’ short playoff run, but he will be a stalwart in LA’s rotation for years to come.
5. Gunnar Henderson — Baltimore Orioles (22 Years Old)
D. Ross Cameron-USA TODAY Sports
It was a stellar first season for Baltimore’s promising, young infielder. Gunnar Henderson held onto his rookie eligibility in ’23 despite appearing in 30 games the year prior. Henderson went on to be named American League Rookie of the Year and was awarded the Silver Slugger for the utility position. The 6-foot-3 lefty is a true power-speed threat. The 28 HR he hit in ’23 might represent a low mark for Henderson for the remainder of his career.
4. Eury Pérez — Miami Marlins (20 Years Old)
Jim Rassol-USA TODAY Sports
The Marlins have been a pitching factory over the last several years, and Eury Pérez could be the best of the bunch. Miami’s rookie hurler was sensational in ’23. Despite being limited to just 19 starts, Pérez finished seventh in NL Rookie of the Year voting. His 6-foot-8 frame is a daunting sight for hitters, and it allows Pérez to get that last bit of extension to keep hitters off balance. In Year 1, Pérez was among the top pitchers in velocity and ability to generate whiffs. Pérez struck out 108 batters in just 91.1 IP. If he can record over 200 IP this year, Pérez will likely be among the league leaders in K’s.
3. Bobby Witt Jr. — Kansas City Royals (23 Years Old)
Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
The Royals rewarded 23-year-old sensation Bobby Witt Jr. with a lucrative 11-year, $288 million contract this offseason following a marvelous 2023 campaign. Witt Jr. finished just stolen base shy of a 30/50 season (something only three other people in MLB history have ever done). The Kansas City star smashed 30 HR, swiped 49 bases, and hit a league-leading 11 triples. The speed component is among the most useful skills any player in the league has. Witt Jr. tied for the fastest sprint speed (Elly De La Cruz) last season at a blistering 30.5 ft/sec according to baseballsavant. He finished seventh in MVP voting in the American League.
2. Corbin Carroll — Arizona Diamondbacks (23 Years Old)
Robert Edwards-USA TODAY Sports
Speaking of speed, Corbin Carroll is right up there with the league’s top runners. Carroll stole 54-of-59 bases and hit an NL-leading 10 triples in 2023. Carroll was a revelation for a Diamondbacks team that made a miraculous run to the World Series. He never looked rattled at the dish, and always seemed to put together good at-bats for Arizona. Carroll was named an All-Star, NL Rookie of the Year, and finished fifth in MVP voting.
1. Julio Rodríguez — Seattle Mariners (23 Years Old)
Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Seattle’s Julio Rodriguez should still be considered the best player currently under 25 years old. In just two years, Rodriguez has already cemented himself as a future superstar. He was named Rookie of the Year in ’22 after a 28 HR/25 SB campaign. He’s made the All-Star team twice, has a top-7 and a top-4 MVP finish, and has been named a Silver Slugger both seasons. The speedy slugger can electrify a game at the plate, on the base paths, or with his glove.
