Major League Baseball has always had a soft spot in the eyes of sports fans, especially during the summer. With all eyes on the sport during the summer months, the talent in baseball has always been showcased. As the sport continues to grow, the more talent that enters the league. The more talent that has entered the league, the younger that talent seems to be. For baseball fans, they are truly blessed with the incredible players that take the field, day in and day out. At this point, baseball has an incredible amount of talent that is in the show and ISC is going to take a look at 10 must see players 25 years-old and younger, that every baseball fan must watch. Players are listed in alphabetical order and their ages are in parentheses.
Ronald Acuna Jr. – OF, Atlanta Braves (22)
Ronald Acuna Jr. burst onto the baseball scene in 2018 with the Atlanta Braves. Acuna played in 111 games in his rookie season, batting .293 while blasting 26 homeruns. His performance during his rookie season led him to capturing the 2018 National League Rookie of the Year Award. He followed that up with a fantastic 2019 season, where he batted .280 and hit 41 homeruns with 101 RBI. Last season, he was voted a NL All-Star and won a Silver Slugger Award. Acuna is signed through 2026 after signing an 8 year/$100M deal with the Braves. Acuna has seen time on the injured list this season but since returning, has been a terror to deal with.
Cody Bellinger – OF, Los Angeles Dodgers (25)
The Los Angeles Dodgers are loaded with talent. Aside from Mookie Betts, Cody Bellinger might be their top guy. Since breaking into the league in 2017, Bellinger has been a two-time All-Star, awarded the 2017 NL Rookie of the Year and last season, the Gold Glove, Silver Slugger and 2019 NL MVP awards. In his first three full seasons in the majors, Bellinger has hit 111 homeruns and knocked in 288 runs.
Bo Bichette (22), Cavan Biggio (25), Vladimir Guerrero Jr (21) – SS, 2B/OF, 1B/3B – Toronto Blue Jays
Ok, this isn’t just one player but three. The Blue Jays are one of the youngest, most exciting teams in baseball and they are led by these three sons of former MLB All-Stars. Earlier this season, the Blue Jays became the first team in Major League history to field a starting infield consisting of all sons of former MLB All-Stars. The Blue Jays went out at the trade deadline and acquired pieces that will help them compete this season and beyond. With this season being as unique as it is, the pressure to compete now isn’t there for Bo Bichette, Cavan Biggio and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Gaining the experience this year will only benefit the Jays in the future. Starting off the 2020 season, Bichette was tearing the cover off the ball, batting .361 through just 14 games before suffering a knee injury that has put him on the shelf since August 16. Bichette is set to return to the Jays lineup soon. Son of Hall of Fame outfielder Vladimir Guerrero, Vladdy Jr. came in with a lot of hype and has lived up to that hype thus far. Vladdy did get off to a slow start this season and has picked it up lately, helping the Jays move into second place in the AL East. Cavan Biggio is the other one in this group that makes this Jays team exciting. Biggio can play a few positions giving the team flexibility. This season, Biggio has done a great job continuing to produce this season, in the absence of Bichette. Biggio is currently boasting a .252 average with 6 homeruns and 21 RBI in just over 40 games. These three have a history of winning and as they get older, expect the winning to continue.
Shane Bieber – P, Cleveland Indians (25)
The Cleveland Indians have had a fantastic pitching staff over the years and with some trades that were made, Shane Bieber is now the ace of that rotation. Bieber has been nothing short of dominant this season, striking out 94 in just 57 2/3 inning and only giving up a total of 35 hits. His 7-0 record on the season is deserving because of the way he has performed on the mound. Last season, Bieber was selected to his first All-Star game, in just his second season in the majors and his 2020 has been better.
Jesus Luzardo – P, Oakland Athletics (22)
The Oakland A’s are a team that has a lot of talent on their roster. Their pitching staff is solid along with a stacked lineup which have helped propel the A’s to the top of the American League West. Jesus Luzardo is one of those players that have stepped up this season and pitched well in his first full major league season. Luzardo made his debut last season, appearing in six games. Over those six games, Luzardo struck out 16 in 12 innings pitched, with an 1.50 ERA. This season, Luzardo has appeared in 8 games, starting 6 of those. He currently sits at 2-2 on the season with a 4.23 ERA in 38 1/3 innings. With the A’s making a major push to the postseason, Luzardo will be relied upon to help carry Oakland deep into the playoffs.
Dustin May – P, Los Angeles Dodgers (22)
The Los Angeles Dodgers are one of the top teams in baseball and are expected to play in the World Series. A team that is loaded with talent from top to bottom, the talent surrounding Dustin May will only help the tall righty blossom. May comes in at 6’6″ and 180 lbs and uses that to his advantage. Touching 99 plus, May has a five-pitch arsenal that leaves hitters in shambles. May made his Dodgers debut last season, appearing in 14 games, starting 4 of those, going 2-3 with a 3.63 ERA. This season, May has made it his coming out party. With the Dodgers going nowhere anytime soon, expect Dustin May to step up and become one of the top pitchers in the league sooner rather than later.
Luis Robert – OF, Chicago White Sox (23)
Before stepping foot on a major league field for a regular season game, the Chicago White Sox signed prospect Luis Robert to a 6 year deal worth $75 million. Robert has come out this season and been a huge part in the White Sox success this season. Robert is making a name for himself, batting .265 with 11 home runs and 27 RBI in 41 games. His performance so far this season is a reason why he is a major candidate for the AL Rookie of the Year award.
Juan Soto – OF, Washington Nationals (21)
Entering his third season with the Washington Nationals, Juan Soto has been a key piece in the teams success. In 2018, Soto was the runner up for the NL Rookie of the Year. He followed up a solid 2018, with an even better 2019, culminating in a World Series title. Soto hit .282 with 34 home runs and 110 RBI in 150 games. This season, in 28 games, Soto is batting .356 with 11 home runs and 27 RBI. Soto has been one of the few bright spots on a team that is currently sitting last in the NL East. Soto is set to become a free agent in 2025, so expect the Nationals to continue to build around the young outfielder.
Fernando Tatis Jr. – SS, San Diego Padres (21)
The only thing that can be said is Fernando Tatis Jr. Plain and simple, this kid has been nothing short of phenomenal this season. Debuting last season with the Padres, Tatis Jr. was impressive in his rookie season. In just 84 games last year, Tatis Jr. batted .317 with 22 home runs and 53 RBI which helped see him finish 3rd in NL Rookie of Year voting. This season, Tatis Jr. has continued his great play, making him the favorite for the NL MVP Award. This season, through 45 games, Tatis Jr. leads the majors in plate appearances (203), runs (45), home runs (15) and total bases (112). One of the most exciting players, Tatis Jr., is a can’t miss player and will have the bright lights of the postseason shining on him in just a few weeks.
Gleyber Torres – INF, New York Yankees (23)
The New York Yankees have a reputation of dominance and expected to compete for another World Series this season. A big piece for the Yankees is Gleyber Torres. Since his arrival in the league in 2018, Torres has twice been voted an American League All-Star and finished third in AL Rookie of the Year voting in 2018. Torres was part of the trade that sent him to the Yankees for Aroldis Chapman back in 2016. Just a few years later, Torres is making his presence known in the majors. Last season, Torres mashed 38 home runs and knocked in 90 RBI while batting .278 in 144 games. This season, like the Yankees, Torres has gotten off to a slower start. The track record is there and with Torres only being 23 years old, neither he nor the Yankees will be going away.
The future of baseball is in great hands. Baseball fans should count their blessings they get to see these players on a daily basis. The shortened season as seemingly put these young plays on more of a platform and it has been great getting to see what they can do. With the regular season coming to an end in just a few weeks, the more eyes will be on these young players as the pressure increases.
Chris Asbrock is a staff writer and analyst for Impact Sports Cincinnati and can be followed on TwitterĀ Ā Follow @iamchrisasbrock and Follow @ISCincy
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