The 25 Best Baseball Players Under 25

Infielder, Brewers, 18
Since signing with the Brewers out of the Dominican Republic in 2024, Made has become another shining example of Milwaukee’s international scouting and development team (see: Jackson Chourio). After a successful season in the Dominican summer league, Made finished with an impressive stat line across three levels in 2025: .285 average, 28 doubles, six home runs, and 47 stolen bases. At this point, the 18-year-old switch-hitter is a consensus Top-5 overall prospect and should continue to progress at shortstop as he matures and gets stronger.

Catcher, Marlins, 24
It took Ramirez a few years on the farm to develop into an impressive bat, but he finally broke out with the Marlins in 2025. The right-handed catcher and designated hitter (who the Yankees signed as an international free agent in 2018, then traded in a package for Jazz Chisolm Jr.) went yard 21 times, becoming a real threat in Miami’s lineup alongside Kyle Stowers. Though defense is his weakest skill, Ramirez is still committed to providing versatility as a backstop—and with better plate discipline, projects to have a dynamic year at the dish.

Shortstop, Tigers, 21
Between High-A and Double-A last season, McGonigle hit .305 with 19 homers, 59 walks, and 46 strikeouts in 88 games. Then he followed it up by taking home Arizona Fall League MVP honors after posting a .362 average and 1.210 OPS. Deemed the “best hitting prospect of the 2020s” by MLB.com, in part due to his impressive plate discipline, the shortstop might fool you with his 5-foot-10 frame. But his electric lefty swing can turn on inside pitches, spray the ball to all fields, and keep opposing pitchers honest—traits that are already making him pop in the Tigers’ current lineup.

Starting pitcher, Marlins, 22
The Marlins have a handful of breakout candidates this year, and Perez ranks among the top. Before he underwent Tommy John surgery, which ended his 2024 season, the power righty was widely regarded as baseball’s top pitching prospect. The command was shaky in his return to the mound last year, a common trait for pitchers recovering from UCL injuries. In his 95.1 innings, he posted a 4.25 ERA with 105 strikeouts, showcasing a high-90s fastball that he supplements with three secondary pitches that induce 40-percent-plus whiff rates.

Catcher, Orioles, 21
It takes a special player to force trade-rumor speculation about Orioles star catcher Adley Rutschman, but that’s what Bassallo accomplished at the end of last season. The hulking lefty slugger entered 2025 as Baltimore’s top prospect and did enough damage in his limited playing time for the team to sign him to an eight-year, $67-million extension (the largest pre-arbitration contract signed by a catcher) in late August. O’s manager Craig Albernaz plans for him to split time behind the dish, but Basallo should get ample opportunity to showcase the thump in his bat and prove why the franchise is betting on him.

Starting pitcher, Reds, 22
Burns was the Reds’ top prospect entering last season — and for good reason. After speeding through the minors, he became the first pitcher from the 2024 draft to reach the big leagues, striking out eight Yankees (including five to start the game) in his debut. The righty fell back to Earth in his next outing against the Red Sox, but proved his serious potential in 13 appearances last year. Over 43.1 total innings, he posted a 35.6 percent strikeout rate and punctuated his season by retiring five consecutive Dodgers in the postseason. He’ll be looking to solidify a spot in Cincy’s rotation throughout 2026 in what is already a strong group of starters.

Second baseman, Orioles, 22
Over his two partial seasons in the big leagues, Holliday has yet to live up to the enormous promise of being a No. 1 overall draft selection. Now entrenched as the O’s starting second baseman, Holliday made improvements in his sophomore year, playing in 149 games, slugging 17 home runs, and lowering his strikeout rate more than 10 percent from his 60-game rookie season. Then again, he’s only 22 and figures to keep improving once he fully recovers from a hamate bone injury — especially in a lineup that’s been bolstered with some key veteran additions.

Starting pitcher, Mets, 24
McLean burst onto the scene in late August with the Mets and proved his potential as a dominant, top-end starter. And if he wasn’t on your radar, he made his presence felt in the World Baseball Classic championship, allowing two runs over 4.2 innings with four strikeouts against Venezuela. According to FanGraphs, McLean’s high-90s fastball, paired with a devastating curveball and sinker, ranked in the 93rd percentile last year among pitchers with over 40 innings pitched. It’s the kind of arsenal that has prompted praise from stars like Bryce Harper and gives Mets fans reason to believe they’ve got another ace in the making.

Starting pitcher, Brewers, 23
Misiorowski was at the center of mild controversy last July when the rookie was selected to the All-Star Game despite only making five career starts. Still, that small sample size was impressive, as Misiorowski fired (read: scorched) 11 scoreless innings to start his MLB career. Over his next eight starts, things were more complicated. He compiled a 1-1 record, struggled with walks, and turned in a 5.50 ERA, eventually hitting the IL and losing his spot in the rotation. With a full offseason under his belt, the Brewers gave “Miz” the ball on Opening Day and hope he will fill the shoes of veteran Freddy Peralta and maybe even compete for a Cy Young.

Infielder, Cardinals, 23
The Cardinals drafted Wetherholt with the seventh overall selection in the 2024 draft after an impressive college career at West Virginia. It didn’t take long to see results. The 5-foot-10 infielder hit .306/.421/.510 with 17 homers in 109 games between Double-A Springfield and Triple-A Memphis in his first full season. Now, as this year’s fifth-best prospect, he’s on the doorstep of a call-up, capable of playing second, short, and third. The versatility should help considering Masyn Wynn is locked in at the six, and it will ensure the Cardinals get the most out of a potential .300 hitter with 20-20 ability.

Outfielder/DH, Guardians, 24
It’s hard to start the season any hotter than Chase DeLauter, who torpedoed five home runs in 26 at-bats and was promptly labeled American League Player of the Week. The dynamic lefty missed most of last season with core muscle surgery (the third of three injuries that have hampered his development over the years), but returned for the playoffs, becoming the sixth player ever to make his big-league debut in the postseason. After hitting .402 in three seasons at James Madison and leading the Cape Cod league in home runs and slugging percentage, that power is finally being realized on the biggest stage. If he stays healthy, DeLauter could be the Guardians’ next long-term star.

Shortstop, Athletics, 23
Jacob Wilson may not be the flashiest part of the young core the A’s are building, but his contact-heavy, low-strikeout approach is foundational to its success. The first-rounder from Grand Canyon University finished second in Rookie of the Year voting in 2025 (falling just behind teammate Nick Kurtz) after hitting .311 with 13 home runs and a .799 OPS. He also became the first fan-elected rookie shortstop to start in the All-Star Game. The distinctions were more than enough for the A's to sign him to a seven-year contract, betting large that he’ll be the team’s long-term leadoff hitter and middle-infielder.

First baseman, Athletics, 22
The A’s know they found someone special in first baseman Nick Kurtz. Just look at their recent $130-million contract offer. The 2024 fourth-overall pick spent the first three weeks of last season in AAA Las Vegas, then joined the big-league squad where he became one of the most feared power hitters in the game. Kurtz was named MLB Player of the Week twice, AL Rookie of the Month in June and July, and even etched his name into the team’s record books, becoming the first A’s player in franchise history with a four-homer game. In 117 games, the AL Rookie of the Year clubbed 36 home runs and posted a 1.002 OPS. The sky’s the limit for the budding superstar, perhaps why he’ll wait it out for an even bigger payday.

Leftfielder, Red Sox, 21
There’s MVP predictions for Anthony this year, and why not? Before an oblique injury cut his rookie year short, the left fielder helped the Red Sox get to the postseason for the first time since 2021 with a .292 batting average, eight homers, 32 RBI, and an .859 OPS over 71 games. He turned more heads at this year’s World Baseball Classic, hitting .280 with two home runs and a team-leading seven RBIs, proving he could handle the pressure of big moments. His arm strength might eventually move him to DH, but he should have plenty more to conquer this year on another formidable Boston team.

Shortstop, Pirates, 19
Griffin was initially viewed as a high risk/high reward player when the Pirates drafted him with the ninth overall selection in the 2024 MLB Draft. But after one year of professional baseball — in which the shortstop clubbed 21 minor-league homers and blazed up to Double-A — it’s clear he’s only providing upside. As the current top prospect in the sport, Griffin made his Major League debut at 19 in early April, and he’s already got MVP projections in his future. Pittsburgh may not win many games again this year, but he and Paul Skenes make the Buccos must-watch TV.

Leftfielder, Rangers, 24
After playing in just 44 minor-league games, Langford broke 2024 camp as the Rangers’ starting left fielder. But the superstar talent that got him to the big-leagues has yet to be consistently showcased. That’s partly because Langford has missed about 30 games in each of the last two seasons thanks to a hamstring issue and then a nagging oblique strain. Still, he hammered 22 home runs last year and posted a 127 OPS+, 16th-best in the American League and an impressive feat for someone two years removed from college. Should he stay healthy, this could be the year he puts it all together.

Outfielder, Nationals, 23
In his first full MLB season, Wood proved to be a force in the batter’s box. The Nationals outfielder used all of his imposing stature to barrel up the baseball, ranking in the 98th percentile in Statcast exit velocity and hard hit rate. The second-round pick from IMG Academy hit 31 home runs with 94 RBIs, amassing an .825 OPS in an otherwise non-threatening lineup. As he continues to progress inside another Nationals rebuild, anchoring the top of the lineup, some projections have him cranking over 40 homers in 2026.

Centerfielder, Cubs, 23
Throughout the first half of 2025, Pete Crow-Armstrong blossomed into an MVP hopeful. The Cubs’ center fielder had shown traces of his speed and power in 2024, but it came together in a breakout season (31 home runs and 35 stolen bases) that might have been more impressive if his production didn’t dip in its final two months. As he showed in the WBC, his ability to turn inside fastballs into majestic souvenirs has solidified him at the top of the Cubs’ lineup, but his defense is even more impressive. Last year, he led the league with 24 Outs Above Average and showcased his 92nd-percentile arm strength.

Centerfielder, Brewers, 21
It’s hard to call a 21-year-old’s 20-20 season a tad underwhelming, but those are the expectations that Chourio brings with him after finishing third in 2024’s NL Rookie of the Year voting. The Dominican outfielder, who the Brewers signed as an international free agent in 2021, has quickly become a franchise cornerstone — and he’s yet to show his true potential. Though he struggled with hamstring injuries last year, he still hit .300/.341/.511 after July 1 (counting the playoffs) while posting the 11th-best hard hit rate in the league. His superstardom doesn’t feel far away.

Centerfielder, Padres, 22
The Padres locked up Merill to a nine-year deal in 2025, all but labeling him the future of the franchise. In his electric rookie season, the centerfielder posted a .292 average, 24 home runs, 90 RBI, and .826 OPS over 156 games, good enough for second in Rookie of the Year voting behind Paul Skenes. Last year, things took a slight turn. Merill hit the Injured List three times, hampering much of his production, but he still managed a .774 OPS and 47 extra base hits in 117 games. Almost everyone is expecting a big bounceback, and Merrill seems primed to put on another show.

Third baseman, Rays, 22
The Rays have developed a number of exciting international prospects, but Caminero might be the most dynamic in team history. Last year, the effusive third baseman hit 45 home runs, which ranked second all time for a player in his age-21 season. According to Buster Olney, that raw power has made him a “worthy heir to the throne of Major League power hitters.” His heroics and passion were on full display during the World Baseball Classic, especially when he broke a tie against Nicaragua with a 116.9 mph blast — a preview of the triple-digit exit velocity he’s capable of producing in every at bat.

Shortstop, Reds, 23
What can’t De La Cruz do? The 23-year-old switch-hitting shortstop has proven he’s one of the most exciting players in the game — capable of hitting for power (25 homers in 2025), leading the league in steals (67 in 2024), and backing his athleticism up with elite range in the infield. The raw talent has been supplemented by his availability: De La Cruz played in all 162 games last season, though he fought through various injuries that limited some of his production. Look for that to improve in 2026, especially since the Reds plan to DH him more through the season. A fully healthy De La Cruz is a scary one.

Shortstop, Orioles, 24
No bench player on the Team USA roster produced more in the World Baseball Classic than Henderson, who led the team with a 1.267 OPS and a .400 batting average — and would have started if Bobby Witt Jr. hadn’t been on the roster. Entering his fourth full season, the Orioles shortstop took a slight dip in production last year with a bum shoulder, slashing 274/.349/.787 and slugging 17 homers (20 less than in his breakout 2024 campaign). If the WBC is any indication, he’ll be back to his old self, contending for an MVP award and helping Baltimore return to the postseason.

Starting pitcher, Pirates, 23
Lethal and composed, Skenes has simply terrorized hitters over his two big-league seasons. After winning 2024 National League Rookie of the Year, he posted a 1.97 ERA with 216 strikeouts over 187.2 innings, blowing away opponents with his signature 98 mph fastball and nasty “splinker” (two parts of a seven-pitch arsenal) to win the NL Cy Young Award — with all 30 first-place votes. He also became the first Pirates hurler with a sub-2.00 ERA since 1919. At just 23, Pittsburgh’s ace boasts an elite physicality and studious temperament. The only question remaining: How long can he sustain his elite stuff and continue his utter dominance?