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Current MLB players most likely to have their numbers retired by their teams
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw has joined the ranks of Sandy Koufax, Randy Johnson and Steve Carlton as the best left-handed pitchers in MLB history. Kirby Lee/USA TODAY Sports

Current MLB players most likely to have their numbers retired by their teams

A retired number is one of the highest honors a player can get from an MLB organization. The following 25 players are the top candidates to have their numbers retired with their current MLB teams when it's all said and done.

 
1 of 25

Jose Altuve, 2B, Astros

Jose Altuve, 2B, Astros
Steve Mitchell / USA Today Sports Images

Through only five full MLB seasons, Altuve has already made four All-Star appearances and won three Silver Sluggers. He also finished third in AL MVP voting in 2016. With the Astros set up to contend for an extended period, Altuve could add World Series rings, and he's a strong candidate for 3,000 hits with three consecutive seasons leading the league in the category.

 
2 of 25

Nolan Arenado, 3B, Rockies

Nolan Arenado, 3B, Rockies
Brad Rempel / USA Today Sports Images

Todd Helton is the only Rockie whose number has been retired, but Arenado could be the second if he sticks around. The 26-year-old has led the Rockies in home runs and RBI in consecutive seasons and also won four Gold Gloves in four seasons. His early career couldn't be going any better.

 
3 of 25

Kris Bryant, 3B, Cubs

Kris Bryant, 3B, Cubs
Winslow Townson / USA Today Sports Images

It's probably too early to be thinking about retiring Bryant's number just two years into his career, but he's off to quite a start. Bryant won the NL Rookie of the Year in 2015 and the NL MVP last season, along with helping break the curse in Chicago to win a World Series.

 
4 of 25

Madison Bumgarner, SP, Giants

Madison Bumgarner, SP, Giants
Denny Medley / USA Today Sports Images

If Bumgarner's strong pace continues and he remains in San Francisco, he will almost certainly have his No. 40 retired. He's won three World Series with the Giants, along with four All-Star appearances and a career 2.99 ERA.

 
5 of 25

Miguel Cabrera, 1B, Tigers

Miguel Cabrera, 1B, Tigers
Mark J. Rebilas / USA Today Sports Images

Cabrera is arguably the greatest hitter of his era and has spent most of his career with the Tigers. He was traded to Detroit in 2008 from the Marlins and is now just 49 home runs away from the illustrious 500 mark. He's also won two MVP awards in Detroit.

 
6 of 25

Carlos Correa, SS, Astros

Carlos Correa, SS, Astros
Erik Williams / USA Today Sports Images

Correa won the AL Rookie of the Year at age 20 in Houston back in 2015, and his career continues to thrive. He's a strong middle-of-the-order hitter at age 22 for Houston this season.

 
7 of 25

Freddie Freeman, 1B, Braves

Freddie Freeman, 1B, Braves
Brett Davis / USA Today Sports Images

Freeman has developed into a star for Atlanta, hitting a career-high 34 home runs last season and leading the NL with 14 early this year before fracturing his wrist. His career .871 OPS is impressive, and his development over the last two seasons shows a budding star.

 
8 of 25

Paul Goldschmidt, 1B, Diamondbacks

Paul Goldschmidt, 1B, Diamondbacks
Mark J. Rebilas / USA Today Sports Images

Luis Gonzalez and Randy Johnson are the only D'Backs to have their numbers retired, but Goldschmidt will certainly add to the list if he sticks around. He has four consecutive All-Star appearances and two second-place NL MVP finishes to go along with a pair of Gold Gloves.

 
9 of 25

Bryce Harper, RF, Nationals

Bryce Harper, RF, Nationals
Brett Davis / USA Today Sports Images

Harper is still only 24 and already has 134 home runs under his belt. He's signed with the Nats through 2018, and then it remains to be seen if Washington can afford to retain him. The former NL Rookie of the Year and MVP is on a Hall of Fame trajectory and almost certainly would get his number retired if he stays in D.C.

 
10 of 25

Clayton Kershaw, SP, Dodgers

Clayton Kershaw, SP, Dodgers
Kelley L. Cox / USA Today Sports Images

Can Kershaw become the greatest pitcher ever? It's not an unfair question after the start of his career, winning three Cy Young awards and one MVP through his age 28 season. He has an incredible 2.36 ERA for his career.

 
11 of 25

Francisco Lindor, SS, Indians

Francisco Lindor, SS, Indians
Peter Aiken / USA Today Sports Images

Lindor is just coming upon his 300th MLB game, but he's already finished second in the AL Rookie of the Year voting in 2015 and made an All-Star appearance in 2016. He also helped the Indians win the AL pennant. It's quite a start for the young Cleveland star.

 
12 of 25

Evan Longoria, 3B, Rays

Evan Longoria, 3B, Rays
Kim Klement / USA Today Sports Images

Wade Boggs is the only Tampa Bay player in history to have his number retired, and Longoria is well on his way to becoming the second. Remarkably, he's spent his entire 10-year career with the low-budget Rays and is closing in on 250 home runs.

 
13 of 25

Manny Machado, 3B, Orioles

Manny Machado, 3B, Orioles
Patrick McDermott / USA Today Sports Images

Machado has developed into an elite player for Baltimore, with three All-Star appearances and three top 10 MVP finishes in only four full seasons. He's also won two Gold Gloves and is just age 24.

 
14 of 25

Joe Mauer, 1B, Twins

Joe Mauer, 1B, Twins
Kim Klement / USA Today Sports Images

The last few years of Mauer's career haven't gone as hoped, but his early career and fondness in Minnesota are still likely to get his number retired. He's made six All-Star appearances for his career and won the AL MVP in 2009.

 
15 of 25

Yadier Molina, C, Cardinals

Yadier Molina, C, Cardinals
Jasen Vinlove / USA Today Sports Images

There hasn't been a more popular player in St. Louis following Albert Pujols' departure than Molina. He's an eight-time Gold Glove winner who has made seven All-Star appearances for the Cardinals.

 
16 of 25

Dustin Pedroia, 2B, Red Sox

Dustin Pedroia, 2B, Red Sox
Bruce Kluckhohn / USA Today Sports Images

Pedroia has been a prominent part of Boston's last two World Series wins, and he also owns a Rookie of the Year and MVP award. While he's well off the 3,000-hit mark, Pedroia has more than 1,700 hits through his age 33 season.

 
17 of 25

Buster Posey, C, Giants

Buster Posey, C, Giants
Richard Mackson / USA Today Sports Images

The best offensive catcher of his era, Posey has won three World Series with the Giants. He also won the Rookie of the Year in 2010 and NL MVP in 2012, with four All-Star appearances.

 
18 of 25

Anthony Rizzo, 1B, Cubs

Anthony Rizzo, 1B, Cubs
Winslow Townson / USA Today Sports Images

Rizzo has made three consecutive All-Star appearances and finished fourth in the NL MVP voting in consecutive seasons. No matter what happens, he will always be remembered as a part of the 2016 Cubs World Series team.

 
19 of 25

Miguel Sano, 3B, Twins

Miguel Sano, 3B, Twins
Brad Rempel / USA Today Sports Images

Sano has yet to see 500 at-bats in a season, but his power upside is well worth mentioning. He has 53 home runs in just over 850 career at-bats and is finally starting to hit for average this season. His ceiling could be as high as any power hitter in the game, which could make him an all-timer for the Twins.

 
20 of 25

Corey Seager, SS, Dodgers

Corey Seager, SS, Dodgers
Dennis Wierzbicki / USA Today Sports Images

It was quite a start to Seager's MLB career in 2016, winning the NL Rookie of the Year and finishing third in the MVP voting. He's off to another terrific star this season.

 
21 of 25

Giancarlo Stanton, RF, Marlins

Giancarlo Stanton, RF, Marlins
Richard Mackson / USA Today Sports Images

Injuries have really hindered Stanton during his career, but he has tremendous power. He's made three All-Star appearances and finished second in the NL MVP voting in 2014 after leading the league with 37 home runs. The Marlins signed Stanton to a $325 million contract through 2027.

 
22 of 25

Mike Trout, CF, Angels

Mike Trout, CF, Angels
Kirby Lee / USA Today Sports Images

Clearly the best non-pitcher of the current MLB era, Trout has won two AL MVP awards and finished top two in the voting in five consecutive seasons. There are major questions as to whether the Angels can afford to keep Trout around long term, but he's signed through 2020.

 
23 of 25

Justin Verlander, SP, Tigers

Justin Verlander, SP, Tigers
Rick Osentoski / USA Today Sports Images

Verlander has four top three Cy Young finishes, though he's only won the award once. He's still clearly one of the top pitchers of his era, with 177 wins and a 3.49 ERA in 13 seasons with the Tigers. His longevity and consistency in Detroit should get his No. 35 retired.

 
24 of 25

Joey Votto, 1B, Reds

Joey Votto, 1B, Reds
Aaron Doster / USA Today Sports Images

Votto has been an on-base fiend during his MLB career, leading the NL in on-base percentage five times. He won the NL MVP in 2010 and has made four All-Star appearances for the Reds, with an incredible .424 on-base percentage and .962 OPS for his career.

 
25 of 25

Adam Wainwright, SP, Cardinals

Adam Wainwright, SP, Cardinals
Jeff Curry / USA Today Sports Images

Wainwright has declined recently but remains a fan favorite in St. Louis. He has four top three Cy Young finishes with the Cardinals and two World Series wins.

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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