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25 best MLB players under 25
Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports

25 best MLB players under 25

The MLB youth movement continues, and the future of the game looks very bright. With superstars emerging ever younger in the game, there's no shortage of youngsters making an impact right away.

Here are the 25 best MLB players under the age of 25 entering the 2018 season.

 
1 of 25

Ozzie Albies, 2B, Braves

Ozzie Albies, 2B, Braves
Dale Zanine / USA Today Sports Images

Promoted at age 20, Albies has a chance to be a catalyst in the Atlanta lineup. He hit .286-6-28 with eight steals in 57 games during his debut and has the speed to be an elite base stealer.

 
2 of 25

Cody Bellinger, 1B, Dodgers

Cody Bellinger, 1B, Dodgers
Troy Taormina / USA Today Sports Images

The reigning NL Rookie of the Year, Bellinger hit 39 home runs in only 132 games at age 21 last season. He's set as the future at first base for the Dodgers and can also play the outfield.

 
3 of 25

Andrew Benintendi, OF, Red Sox

Andrew Benintendi, OF, Red Sox
Bob DeChiara / USA Today Sports Images

Benintendi has a terrific eye and is a true five-tool player. The former first-round pick hit .271/.352/.424 last season and became a 20/20 man, allowing him to finish second in the AL Rookie of the Year voting.

 
4 of 25

Jose Berrios, SP, Twins

Jose Berrios, SP, Twins
Brad Penner / USA Today Sports Images

After struggling during his debut in 2016, Berrios rebounded last season. He finished his age 23 season with a 14-8 record, 3.89 ERA and 139 strikeouts in 145.2 innings.

 
5 of 25

Alex Bregman, 3B, Astros

Alex Bregman, 3B, Astros
Jayne Kamin-Oncea / USA Today Sports Images

Already a World Series champion, Bregman is a star at age 23. He hit .284-19-71 with 17 steals in 155 games and helped spark the Astros with a huge second half.

 
6 of 25

Byron Buxton, OF, Twins

Byron Buxton, OF, Twins
Adam Hunger / USA Today Sports Images

Even as he struggled at the plate last season, Buxton's elite defense made him an asset for the Twins. He eventually turned his game around and finished the season hitting .253-16-51 with 29 steals in 30 attempts at age 23.

 
7 of 25

Matt Chapman, 3B, Athletics

Matt Chapman, 3B, Athletics
Rick Osentoski / USA Today Sports Images

Chapman is still under 25 until late April and showed what all the fuss was about during his arrival last season. He hit 14 home runs in 84 games while playing strong defense for the A's.

 
8 of 25

Carlos Correa, SS, Astros

Carlos Correa, SS, Astros
Troy Taormina / USA Today Sports Images

The first overall pick in the 2012 draft, Correa has been as advertised for the Astros. He made his first All-Star appearance last season and hit .315-24-84 in only 109 games for the season.

 
9 of 25

Rafael Devers, 3B, Red Sox

Rafael Devers, 3B, Red Sox
Bob DeChiara / USA Today Sports Images

Devers had quite a rookie debut at age 20. The Red Sox third baseman hit .284-10-30 in only 58 games, giving the organization confidence it's found a long-term answer at the position.

 
10 of 25

Edwin Diaz, RP, Mariners

Edwin Diaz, RP, Mariners
Joe Nicholson / USA Today Sports Images

Diaz was somewhat erratic as Seattle's closer last season but still finished with a 3.27 ERA and 34 saves. He will turn 24 just before Opening Day and already has 52 saves and 177 strikeouts in only 117.2 career innings.

 
11 of 25

Jake Faria, SP, Rays

Jake Faria, SP, Rays
Anthony Grupposo / USA Today Sports Images

Faria was terrific during his major league debut last season and is considered a key part of Tampa Bay's future. He finished with a 3.43 ERA and 84 strikeouts in 86.2 innings in his rookie campaign.

 
12 of 25

Joey Gallo, 1B/3B, Rangers

Joey Gallo, 1B/3B, Rangers
Orlando Ramirez / USA Today Sports Images

Strikeouts are a major problem for Gallo, but he has unbelievable power. Gallo hit 41 home runs in only 532 plate appearances for the Rangers last season despite hitting just .209.

 
13 of 25

Josh Hader, RP, Brewers

Josh Hader, RP, Brewers
Jim Young / USA Today Sports Images

Hader could have a future as a starter, but he's quite a weapon out of the bullpen. The lefty posted a 2.08 ERA and 68 strikeouts in 47.2 innings for the Brewers during his debut at age 23.

 
14 of 25

Ian Happ, 2B/OF, Cubs

Ian Happ, 2B/OF, Cubs
Kim Klement / USA Today Sports Images

Happ was a key player for the Cubs in his rookie season, hitting .253-24-68 in 413 plate appearances. He will split time between second base and the outfield again this season.

 
15 of 25

Francisco Lindor, SS, Indians

Francisco Lindor, SS, Indians
Ken Blaze / USA Today Sports Images

Lindor has already made two All-Star appearances and finished top 10 in MVP voting twice before his 25th birthday. The shortstop hit .273-33-89 with 15 steals for the Indians last season.

 
16 of 25

German Marquez, SP, Rockies

German Marquez, SP, Rockies
Russell Lansford / USA Today Sports Images

Marquez was a key piece of a young Colorado rotation last season. He finished with 11 wins and a 4.39 ERA in 29 starts, finishing fifth in NL Rookie of the Year voting.

 
17 of 25

Lance McCullers, SP, Astros

Lance McCullers, SP, Astros
Tim Bradbury / USA Today Sports Images

McCullers has had trouble staying healthy, but he did manage to make the AL All-Star team last season at age 23. He has a 3.60 ERA in 58 career starts.

 
18 of 25

Shohei Ohtani, SP/DH, Angels

Shohei Ohtani, SP/DH, Angels
Joe Camporeale / USA Today Sports Images

Ohtani has yet to throw a major league pitch, but he's the clear front-runner for AL Rookie of the Year. The Japanese sensation is expected to pitch and hit for the Angels this season.

 
19 of 25

Matt Olson, 1B, Athletics

Matt Olson, 1B, Athletics
Rick Osentoski / USA Today Sports Images

A true sabermetrics player with power and patience, Olson got on a roll late last season. He hit .259-24-45 in only 216 plate appearances for the year at age 23.

 
20 of 25

Roberto Osuna, RP, Blue Jays

Roberto Osuna, RP, Blue Jays
Evan Habeeb / USA Today Sports Images

An elite closer only three years into his career, Osuna has 95 career saves and a 2.86 ERA over 206 appearances. He made his first All-Star appearance last season.

 
21 of 25

Alex Reyes, P, Cardinals

Alex Reyes, P, Cardinals
Charles LeClaire / USA Today Sports Images

Reyes missed all of last season due to Tommy John surgery, but he's one of the players Cardinals fans are looking forward to most in 2018. The hard thrower did post a 1.57 ERA in 46 innings during his MLB debut in 2016.

 
22 of 25

Corey Seager, SS, Dodgers

Corey Seager, SS, Dodgers
Troy Taormina / USA Today Sports Images

Seager followed up his NL Rookie of the Year in 2016 with his second straight All-Star appearance last season. Over the last two seasons, Seager has 48 home runs and a batting average above .300.

 
23 of 25

Luis Severino, SP, Yankees

Luis Severino, SP, Yankees
Shanna Lockwood / USA Today Sports Images

Severino rebounded from a subpar 2016 season to make an All-Star appearance and finish third in the AL Cy Young voting. The 24-year-old had a 2.98 ERA and 230 strikeouts in 193.1 innings.

 
24 of 25

Trea Turner, SS, Nationals

Trea Turner, SS, Nationals
Eric Hartline / USA Today Sports Images

Turner has been spectacular over the last two seasons when he's been healthy. Over 171 games during that time, Turner has hit .309-24-85 with 79 steals and 128 runs scored.

 
25 of 25

Luke Weaver, SP, Cardinals

Luke Weaver, SP, Cardinals
David Kohl / USA Today Sports Images

Staying healthy has been an issue for Weaver, but he provided a nice preview of his upside last season. Weaver went 7-2 with a 3.88 ERA and 72 strikeouts in 60.1 innings for the Cardinals at age 23.

Seth Trachtman is a fantasy sports expert and diehard Kansas City Chiefs fan. He doesn't often Tweet, but when he does, you can find him on Twitter @sethroto.

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