Every MLB Team's Most Promising Young Building Block
Each MLB roster has at least one player who can be identified as an integral piece of the club's long-term plans.
Whether you want to call them cornerstones or franchise building blocks, these are the players that teams have penciled into their spot on the roster for the foreseeable future.
So let's identify these players, shall we?
As we sought out each team's most promising young building block, the following criteria helped narrow the search.
- 27 or younger: Since we're talking about "young" players, the first step was to establish an age range. We went with everyone 27 or younger on Jan. 1 of this year.
- 3 years of control: If a player is going to be a building block, it stands to reason that he needs to be under team control for at least a few years, so only players with at least three remaining years of control were considered.
- MLB experience: Tempting as it was to call Ronald Acuna the building block for the Atlanta Braves, let's wait until he makes his MLB debut to anoint him the franchise cornerstone.
Simple enough, right?
Let's get started.
Arizona Diamondbacks: SP Robbie Ray
1 of 30
Age: 26
2017 Stats: 28 GS, 15-5, 2.89 ERA, 166 ERA+, 1.15 WHIP, 218 K, 162 IP, 5.0 WAR
Contract Status: Arbitration-eligible, under control through 2020
Player Overview
Hidden behind an unsightly 8-15 record and 4.90 ERA during the 2016 season were signs that Robbie Ray was poised for a breakout.
Sure enough, he emerged as one of the best lefties in the game this past season, finishing among the NL leaders in ERA (2.89, fourth), WHIP (1.15, sixth), strikeouts (218, third) and pitcher's WAR (5.0, fifth).
The 26-year-old was originally acquired from the Detroit Tigers in the three-team trade that sent Shane Greene to Detroit and Didi Gregorius to the New York Yankees.
Now he looks like a foundational piece for a D-backs team on the rise as he's projected to earn a modest $4.2 million in his first year of arbitration.
Honorable Mentions
Archie Bradley (25), Zack Godley (27), Jake Lamb (27), Taijuan Walker (25)
Atlanta Braves: CF Ender Inciarte
2 of 30
Age: 27
2017 Stats: 718 PA, .304/.350/.409, 43 XBH (11 HR), 57 RBI, 93 R, 22 SB, 3.0 WAR
Contract Status: Signed through 2022
Player Overview
The middle infield duo of Ozzie Albies and Dansby Swanson has a bright future for the Atlanta Braves, and there is a wealth of young pitching talent on the horizon set to join incumbents Julio Teheran and Mike Foltynewicz in the rotation.
That said, as far as an established talent who fulfills our criteria, center fielder Ender Inciarte is the clear choice.
The 27-year-old came to the Braves along with Swanson in the deal that sent Shelby Miller to the Diamondbacks, and he was signed to a five-year, $30.5 million extension that includes a pair of option years after his first season in Atlanta.
His combination of high batting average, plus speed and Gold Glove-caliber defense in center field makes him an easy player to build around.
Honorable Mentions
Ozzie Albies (21), Mike Foltynewicz (26), Sean Newcomb (24), Dansby Swanson (23), Julio Teheran (26)
Baltimore Orioles: SP Dylan Bundy
3 of 30
Age: 25
2017 Stats: 28 GS, 13-9, 4.24 ERA, 102 ERA+, 1.20 WHIP, 152 K, 169.2 IP, 2.7 WAR
Contract Status: Pre-arbitration, under control through 2021
Player Overview
After battling injuries early in his career, Dylan Bundy has proved to be worth the wait, finally emerging as the ace of the Baltimore Orioles staff this past season.
The No. 4 pick in the 2011 draft underwent Tommy John surgery in 2013 and pitched a grand total of 63.1 innings the following two seasons in the minors.
Bundy broke camp with the team in 2016 as he was out of minor league options, and he wound up splitting the season between the rotation and bullpen, showing flashes of his ceiling along the way.
The 25-year-old still has room to improve, and he's one of the few building blocks on an Orioles team that might benefit from a sweeping rebuild.
Honorable Mentions
Kevin Gausman (27), Mychal Givens (27), Trey Mancini (25)
Boston Red Sox: RF Mookie Betts
4 of 30
Age: 25
2017 Stats: 712 PA, .264/.344/.459, 72 XBH (24 HR), 102 RBI, 101 R, 26 SB, 6.4 WAR
Contract Status: Arbitration-eligible, under control through 2020
Player Overview
Andrew Benintendi (103 OPS+, 2.6 WAR) and Rafael Devers (112 OPS+, 1.3 WAR) both look like cornerstone pieces for the Boston Red Sox after impressive rookie seasons.
However, right fielder Mookie Betts is still three years removed from free agency, and after a third consecutive 6.0-plus WAR season, he's the obvious choice as the club's star building block.
Betts has emerged as a legitimate five-tool standout, and while he didn't match his 31-homer output from the 2016 season, he was still a 20/20 player and the team leader in RBI (102) and runs scored (101).
Originally drafted as a middle infielder in the fifth round in 2011, Betts leads all of baseball with 63 DRS over the past two seasons as a right fielder.
Honorable Mentions
Andrew Benintendi (23), Rafael Devers (21)
Chicago Cubs: 3B Kris Bryant
5 of 30
Age: 26
2017 Stats: 665 PA, .295/.409/.537, 71 XBH (29 HR), 73 RBI, 111 R, 6.1 WAR
Contract Status: Arbitration-eligible, under control through 2021
Player Overview
The Chicago Cubs roster is overflowing with potential cornerstone pieces on the position player side of things.
It was tempting to go with Willson Contreras as the choice here because you can make a strong case that the emerging two-way star behind the plate is the most important player on the roster.
Kris Bryant is just really good, though.
The No. 2 pick in the 2013 draft took home NL MVP honors in 2016, and while his power numbers declined this past season, he actually posted a higher OPS (.939 to .946) as he raised his walk rate from 10.7 to 14.3 percent.
Add in his solid defense and valuable versatility, along with the fact that he's one of the most marketable players in the sport, and he's clearly one of the cornerstones of the franchise.
Honorable Mentions
Javier Baez (25), Willson Contreras (25)
Chicago White Sox: 2B Yoan Moncada
6 of 30
Age: 22
2017 Stats: 231 PA, .231/.338/.412, 18 XBH (8 HR), 22 RBI, 31 R, 1.7 WAR
Contract Status: Pre-arbitration, under control through 2023
Player Overview
Yoan Moncada has not had the seamless transition to the MLB game that many were expecting, but he's still only 22 years old, and the tools are all there.
He hit .305/.374/.500 with seven extra-base hits in 91 plate appearances over his final 20 games last season, and he'll now break camp as the unquestioned starter at second base.
His double-play partner, Tim Anderson, has already been locked up through 2024 with a team-friendly extension, but it's Moncada who looks like the long-term cornerstone of the White Sox offense.
With Eloy Jimenez knocking on the door and a number of high-ceiling arms set to follow Lucas Giolito and Reynaldo Lopez in arriving on the scene, the future is bright on the South Side.
Honorable Mentions
Tim Anderson (24), Lucas Giolito (23), Reynaldo Lopez (24), Carlos Rodon (25)
Cincinnati Reds: SP Luis Castillo
7 of 30
Age: 25
2017 Stats: 15 GS, 3-7, 3.12 ERA, 141 ERA+, 1.08 WHIP, 98 K, 89.1 IP, 2.5 WAR
Contract Status: Pre-arbitration, under control through 2023
Player Overview
The Cincinnati Reds have been rebuilding for several seasons now, and the starting rotation remains a significant question mark for the future.
While there are a number of pitchers in the organization with serious potential, right-hander Luis Castillo was the first to break through with a standout performance last season.
Acquired from the Miami Marlins in the Dan Straily trade, Castillo made his debut last June, and he went 2-3 with a 2.37 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and 53 strikeouts in 49.1 innings over his final eight starts.
Anthony DeSclafani and Brandon Finnegan still have intriguing upside, and young starters like Robert Stephenson, Tyler Mahle and Tony Santillan have flashed front-line potential, but right now, it's Castillo who looks like the future ace of the staff.
Honorable Mentions
Anthony DeSclafani (27), Robert Stephenson (24), Eugenio Suarez (26)
Cleveland Indians: SS Francisco Lindor
8 of 30
Age: 24
2017 Stats: 723 PA, .273/.337/.505, 81 XBH (33 HR), 89 RBI, 99 R, 15 SB, 5.5 WAR
Contract Status: Pre-arbitration, under control through 2021
Player Overview
The Cleveland Indians have two cornerstone offensive players in 24-year-old Francisco Lindor and 25-year-old Jose Ramirez—both of whom finished in the top five in AL MVP voting last season.
Lindor gets the nod for his all-around game and remaining upside.
The No. 8 pick in the 2011 draft has always been a standout defender, and he's already exceeded even the wildest expectations for his offensive game.
His 329 total bases ranked fourth in the AL last season, and he more than doubled his home run total from 15 to 33 to emerge as one of the game's elite offensive shortstops.
The 24-year-old is the face of the franchise, a franchise that will be a legitimate World Series contender once again in 2018.
Honorable Mentions
Trevor Bauer (26), Mike Clevinger (27), Jose Ramirez (25), Bradley Zimmer (25)
Colorado Rockies: SP Jon Gray
9 of 30
Age: 26
2017 Stats: 20 GS, 10-4, 3.67 ERA, 136 ERA+, 1.30 WHIP, 112 K, 110.1 IP, 3.1 WAR
Contract Status: Pre-arbitration, under control through 2021
Player Overview
Charlie Blackmon is in his final year of arbitration and Nolan Arenado will be a free agent following the 2019 season, so the Colorado Rockies' two current franchise cornerstones have a somewhat uncertain future with the team.
Emerging right-hander Jon Gray, on the other hand, is not going anywhere.
The 26-year-old has taken some time to live up to the hype that made him the No. 3 overall pick in the 2013 draft, but he's now the unquestioned ace of a Rockies staff on the rise.
Gray went 8-4 with a 3.65 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 88 strikeouts in 86.1 innings after the All-Star break last season, and bigger things could be coming in 2018.
Honorable Mentions
Kyle Freeland (24), German Marquez (22), Trevor Story (25)
Detroit Tigers: SP Michael Fulmer
10 of 30
Age: 24
2017 Stats: 25 GS, 10-12, 3.83 ERA, 119 ERA+, 1.15 WHIP, 114 K, 164.2 IP, 3.6 WAR
Contract Status: Pre-arbitration, under control through 2022
Player Overview
The Detroit Tigers have a lengthy rebuild ahead due in large part to a lack of young building blocks.
While the front office has done a terrific job building up the farm system—which came in at No. 15 in the latest B/R rankings—it's going to take at least a few years of developmental time until they're back on the upswing.
That said, the one player on the current roster with the best chance to be part of the next contending Tigers team is right-hander Michael Fulmer.
Acquired from the New York Mets in the Yoenis Cespedes trade, Fulmer followed up AL Rookie of the Year honors in 2016 with another strong season.
He could stand to miss a few more bats (6.2 K/9), and he'll need to prove healthy after undergoing ulnar nerve surgery on his right elbow in September, but he looks like a long-term piece if he doesn't become a trade chip.
Honorable Mentions
None
Houston Astros: SS Carlos Correa
11 of 30
Age: 23
2017 Stats: 481 PA, .315/.391/.550, 50 XBH (24 HR), 84 RBI, 82 R, 6.3 WAR
Contract Status: Pre-arbitration, under control through 2021
Player Overview
Already a budding superstar, Carlos Correa took a huge step forward last season.
If not for the time he missed with a torn ligament in his left thumb, he would have established career highs across the board offensively.
As it was, he still took a huge leap forward in OPS+ (124 to 158) and OPS (.811 to .941), and he did it while playing the bulk of the season at the age of 22.
Jose Altuve is the face of the franchise, and pitchers Dallas Keuchel and Justin Verlander might be the biggest keys to success, but it's Correa who is the team's most promising building block for the present and future.
Honorable Mentions
Alex Bregman (23), Lance McCullers Jr. (24)
Kansas City Royals: C Salvador Perez
12 of 30
Age: 27
2017 Stats: 499 PA, .268/.297/.495, 52 XBH (27 HR), 80 RBI, 57 R, 2.5 WAR
Contract Status: Signed through 2021
Player Overview
The Kansas City Royals' complete lack of controllable, impact talent means a lengthy rebuild awaits after a mass free-agency exodus essentially blew up the core of players that helped them reach back-to-back World Series.
Catcher Salvador Perez is the one player who could carry over to the next contending Royals team.
Still just 27, he signed a five-year, $52.5 million extension that will keep him in Kansas City through the 2021 season, and he'll be instrumental in helping smooth the transition of a number of young arms working their way through the minor league ranks.
A lack of on-base ability (.297 OBP) will always limit his offensive value, but he still posted a 105 OPS+ while slugging a career-high 27 home runs last season, and he remains an elite all-around defender.
Honorable Mentions
None
Los Angeles Angels: CF Mike Trout
13 of 30
Age: 26
2017 Stats: 507 PA, .306/.442/.629, 61 XBH (33 HR), 72 RBI, 92 R, 22 SB, 6.7 WAR
Contract Status: Signed through 2020
Player Overview
The Los Angeles Angels can't assume Mike Trout will be sticking around once the final three years and $102.25 million on his current contract are up.
That explains why they've taken such an aggressive approach this offseason, adding Ian Kinsler and Zack Cozart to the infield and landing Japanese superstar Shohei Ohtani.
Ohtani could wind up being the franchise cornerstone for 2021 and beyond.
For now, this is still Trout's team, and he's the superstar they will build around for at least the next three years as they chase a title.
Adding Kinsler, Cozart and Ohtani and coming to terms on a new five-year deal with slugger Justin Upton is a clear indication the team is looking to win now.
Honorable Mentions
Shohei Ohtani (23)
Los Angeles Dodgers: SS Corey Seager
14 of 30
Age: 23
2017 Stats: 613 PA, .295/.375/.479, 55 XBH (22 HR), 77 RBI, 85 R, 5.6 WAR
Contract Status: Pre-arbitration, under control through 2021
Player Overview
Cody Bellinger would be the obvious answer for almost any other team.
Instead, he takes a backseat to Corey Seager due to the fact that the shortstop plays a premium position defensively and has proven a bit more at the MLB level.
The No. 18 pick in the 2012 draft and the No. 1 prospect in baseball heading into the 2016 season, Seager took home NL Rookie of the Year honors and finished third in NL MVP voting in 2016.
Despite battling a shoulder injury down the stretch and a back issue in the postseason, he still took home Silver Slugger honors with a 5.6 WAR that trailed only Andrelton Simmons (7.1) and Carlos Correa (6.3) among shortstops.
The 23-year-old has also proven that he can stick at the shortstop position despite a 6'4", 220-pound frame that many expected would necessitate a move to third base, with defensive metrics (10 DRS, 9.5 UZR/150) pegging him as a standout with the glove.
Honorable Mentions
Cody Bellinger (22), Chris Taylor (27)
Miami Marlins: CF Christian Yelich
15 of 30
Age: 26
2017 Stats: 695 PA, .282/.369/.439, 56 XBH (18 HR), 81 RBI, 100 R, 16 SB, 3.9 WAR
Contract Status: Signed through 2022
Player Overview
Christian Yelich and J.T. Realmuto are the last men standing from what was once a terrific, homegrown offensive core for the Miami Marlins.
The 26-year-old signed a seven-year, $49.57 million extension that includes a 2022 team option before the start of the 2015 season.
His $7 million salary for the upcoming season has kept him around amid major cost-cutting measures from the new ownership group, and it's not out of the question to think he could wind up in a Freddie Freeman-type role as the lone holdover and building block.
A steady source of batting average with gap power early in his career, he's assumed more of a run production role the past two seasons. As he enters his prime, more over-the-fence pop is possible, which would only add to his already sky-high value.
Honorable Mentions
J.T. Realmuto (26)
Milwaukee Brewers: 3B Travis Shaw
16 of 30
Age: 27
2017 Stats: 606 PA, .273/.349/.513, 66 XBH (31 HR), 101 RBI, 84 R, 10 SB, 4.0 WAR
Contract Status: Pre-arbitration, under control through 2021
Player Overview
The Tyler Thornburg-for-Travis Shaw deal might go down as the best trade in Milwaukee Brewers history before all is said and done.
Shaw, 27, was a 2.2 WAR player with the Red Sox in 2016—his first extended action at the MLB level—but with top prospect Rafael Devers quickly climbing toward the majors and a hole at the back of the bullpen, the front office pulled the trigger.
Now he looks like a franchise cornerstone as the Brewers continue to build toward contention.
He spent the bulk of the 2017 season hitting in the cleanup spot, posting a 121 OPS+ with 31 home runs and leading the team in RBI (101) and WAR (4.0).
With Ryan Braun on the downswing, Shaw now looks like the centerpiece of the offense and a clear building block.
Honorable Mentions
Orlando Arcia (23), Zach Davies (24), Corey Knebel (26), Domingo Santana (25)
Minnesota Twins: CF Byron Buxton
17 of 30
Age: 24
2017 Stats: 511 PA, .253/.314/.413, 36 XBH (16 HR), 51 RBI, 69 R, 29 SB, 5.1 WAR
Contract Status: Pre-arbitration, under control through 2021
Player Overview
In the dark times, before sabermetrics, we might have looked at Byron Buxton's .253/16/51 line and called him a mediocre player.
Luckily, those times have passed.
After years of teasing with his potential and failing to deliver on the field, Buxton finally carved out his place as a franchise cornerstone on the strength of his speed and defense.
Along with swiping 29 bases in 30 attempts, he was also a game-changer in center field (24 DRS, 13.1 UZR/150), taking home his first Gold Glove award.
When a player makes that type of impact with the glove, anything he does offensively is icing on the cake, and with a 94 OPS+ and 36 extra-base hits, Buxton was by no means a slouch at the plate.
And he might be just scratching the surface.
Honorable Mentions
Jose Berrios (23), Max Kepler (24), Jorge Polanco (24), Eddie Rosario (26), Miguel Sano (24)
New York Mets: SP Noah Syndergaard
18 of 30
Age: 25
2017 Stats: 7 GS, 1-2, 2.97 ERA, 144 ERA+, 1.06 WHIP, 34 K, 30.1 IP, 0.6 WAR
Contract Status: Arbitration-eligible, under control through 2021
Player Overview
A torn right lat muscle sidelined Noah Syndergaard at the end of April and essentially ended his season, though he was able to return for three innings of work down the stretch.
That will actually wind up limiting his earning potential in his first year of arbitration, as he's projected for a modest raise from $605,500 to $1.9 million.
Now the Mets will be counting on their ace to return to his pre-injury form that saw him go 14-9 with a 2.60 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 218 strikeouts in 183.2 innings during the 2016 season.
"Arm feels great. Never really felt better. My body's never felt better. I realized how jacked up my body was last year, and I've been working extra hard to make sure it's loose and it's limber and as mobile as it can possibly be," Syndergaard told David Adler of MLB.com earlier in January.
Here's hoping we get to see "Thor" at full strength again in 2018.
Honorable Mentions
Michael Conforto (24), Amed Rosario (22)
New York Yankees: RF Aaron Judge
19 of 30
Age: 25
2017 Stats: 678 PA, .284/.422/.627, 79 XBH (52 HR), 114 RBI, 128 R, 8.1 WAR
Contract Status: Pre-arbitration, under control through 2022
Player Overview
Sorry, Gary Sanchez.
Sorry, Luis Severino.
It's a good time to be a New York Yankees fan.
Both of those players are clear franchise cornerstones, but the obvious answer here is outfielder Aaron Judge, who is fresh off a 52-homer, 114-RBI rookie season.
He put a dreadful second-half slump in the rearview with a huge final month, hitting .311/.463/.889 with 15 home runs and 32 RBI in 27 games to help the Yankees clinch a playoff spot.
Now he'll be swinging side-by-side with fellow 50-homer slugger Giancarlo Stanton.
So while it might be a good time to be a Yankees fan, it's a very scary time for opposing pitching staffs.
Honorable Mentions
Gary Sanchez (25), Luis Severino (23)
Oakland Athletics: 1B Matt Olson
20 of 30
Age: 23
2017 Stats: 216 PA, .259/.352/.651, 26 XBH (24 HR), 45 RBI, 33 R, 2.8 WAR
Contract Status: Pre-arbitration, under control through 2023
Player Overview
Matt Olson is going to experience some level of regression in 2018.
Otherwise, we're talking about something in the neighborhood of a 67-homer season over the course of 600 plate appearances.
How absurd was his 41.4 percent home run-to-fly ball ratio?
It led all players with at least 200 plate appearances and was nearly six percent higher than Aaron Judge, who was second on that list. Put another way, the league average usually hovers around 9.5 percent, with anything in the 15-20 percent range considered very good.
That said, a 40.3 percent hard-contact rate and plus plate discipline (10.2 percent walk rate) bodes well for his chances of remaining an impact middle-of-the-order slugger.
While the former first-round pick took some time to deliver on his power potential, he now has a chance to be the team's best homegrown slugger since Jason Giambi.
Honorable Mentions
Matt Chapman (24), Kendall Graveman (27), Sean Manaea (25), Marcus Semien (27)
Philadelphia Phillies: SP Aaron Nola
21 of 30
Age: 24
2017 Stats: 27 GS, 12-11, 3.54 ERA, 119 ERA+, 1.21 WHIP, 184 K, 168.0 IP, 4.5 WAR
Contract Status: Pre-arbitration, under control through 2021
Player Overview
It was a toss-up here between Rhys Hoskins and Aaron Nola.
With Nola looking like the only sure thing on the pitching side while the team continues rebuilding efforts, he gets the nod for his overall importance to the franchise.
The No. 7 pick in the 2014 draft, Nola was quietly among the best pitchers in the NL this past season, ranking among the leaders in WHIP (1.21, ninth), K/9 (9.9, seventh) and WAR (4.5, seventh).
Armed with a mid-90s fastball and a plus curveball coming out of college, he's developed his changeup into a solid third offering, limiting opposing hitters to a .083 ISO last season while upping his usage from 8.5 to 15.9 percent.
The 24-year-old has not quite reached the top tier of MLB starters, but he has all the tools to get there.
Honorable Mentions
J.P. Crawford (23), Odubel Herrera (26), Rhys Hoskins (24)
Pittsburgh Pirates: 1B Josh Bell
22 of 30
Age: 25
2017 Stats: 620 PA, .255/.334/.466, 58 XBH (26 HR), 90 RBI, 75 R, 1.7 WAR
Contract Status: Pre-arbitration, under control through 2022
Player Overview
The Pittsburgh Pirates gave Josh Bell a massive $5 million signing bonus as a second-round pick in 2011—still a record for a player taken outside the first round—to lure him away from a firm commitment to the University of Texas.
It looks like that investment will pay off big, as he quietly put together a terrific rookie season in the shadows of Aaron Judge and Cody Bellinger.
The 25-year-old led the Pirates in RBI (90) and ranked second on the team in home runs (26), OPS (.800) and OPS+ (108).
After never topping the 20-homer mark in the minors, his in-game power is still developing, and it's not out of the question to think he can be a perennial 30-homer, 100-RBI threat for years to come.
Honorable Mentions
Gregory Polanco (26), Felipe Rivero (26), Jameson Taillon (26)
San Diego Padres: SP Dinelson Lamet
23 of 30
Age: 25
2017 Stats: 21 GS, 7-8, 4.57 ERA, 91 ERA+, 1.24 WHIP, 139 K, 114.1 IP, 0.6 WAR
Contract Status: Pre-arbitration, under control through 2023
Player Overview
Wil Myers would have been the easy pick.
After all, the San Diego Padres made it clear they view him as a franchise cornerstone when they gave him a six-year, $83 million extension that includes a $20 million option for 2023.
However, we're going to think outside the box a bit and say right-hander Dinelson Lamet.
The 25-year-old was never a Top-100 prospect, but he climbed three levels with a breakout 2016 season, and he turned more than a few heads once he finally arrived in San Diego last year.
His changeup is still a work in progress, but he used a mid-90s fastball and a devastating slider to punch out 139 batters in 114.1 innings as a rookie.
Mike Petriello of MLB.com pegged him as a breakout candidate for 2018, and he won't be alone in that sentiment.
Honorable Mentions
Manuel Margot (23), Wil Myers (27), Luis Perdomo (24)
San Francisco Giants: 2B Joe Panik
24 of 30
Age: 27
2017 Stats: 573 PA, .288/.347/.421, 43 XBH (10 HR), 53 RBI, 60 R, 1.3 WAR
Contract Status: Arbitration-eligible, under control through 2020
Player Overview
The options for the San Francisco Giants were few and far between, which is the overarching issue for the organization right now.
They have an overpaid, underperforming core that's not getting any younger, and they're coming off a 98-loss season.
However, rather than throwing in the towel and starting to rebuild, they swung a trade for Evan Longoria and will push to contend once again in 2018.
So as it stands, second baseman Joe Panik is the closest thing the team has to a long-term building block—a career .282/.345/.408 hitter, solid defender and 3-WAR player at his very best.
Solid complementary piece? Sure.
Franchise building block? Not so much.
Honorable Mentions
Ty Blach (27), Chris Stratton (27)
Seattle Mariners: SS Jean Segura
25 of 30
Age: 27
2017 Stats: 566 PA, .300/.349/.427, 43 XBH (11 HR), 45 RBI, 80 R, 22 SB, 3.1 WAR
Contract Status: Signed through 2023
Player Overview
The Seattle Mariners are built to win now with a veteran core offensively and the likes of Felix Hernandez, Mike Leake and 29-year-old James Paxton leading the starting rotation.
Consistently flipping prospects for proven talent has left the club without much in the way of future building blocks, though the eventual arrival of outfielder Kyle Lewis could change that.
For now, shortstop Jean Segura is the closest thing they have. He's still 27 years old and signed through the 2023 season after inking a five-year, $70 million extension with a $17 million option for 2023.
While he didn't quite match his huge 2016 numbers (122 OPS+, 68 XBH, 33 SB) in his first year in Seattle, he was still a valuable catalyst atop the lineup with a .300 average, 80 runs scored and 22 stolen bases.
He also played a solid shortstop after spending the previous season manning second base.
Honorable Mentions
Edwin Diaz (23), Mitch Haniger (27), Mike Zunino (26)
St. Louis Cardinals: SP Carlos Martinez
26 of 30
Age: 26
2017 Stats: 32 GS, 12-11, 3.64 ERA, 117 ERA+, 1.22 WHIP, 217 K, 205.0 IP, 2.9 WAR
Contract Status: Signed through 2023
Player Overview
Carlos Martinez has officially supplanted Adam Wainwright as the ace of the St. Louis Cardinals staff, and he's quickly becoming one of the best starters in all of baseball.
The 26-year-old has gone 42-27 with a 3.24 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 8.9 K/9 in his three seasons as a full-time starter, and he tossed a career-high 205.0 innings last year.
With Wainwright on the downswing, Mike Leake traded and Lance Lynn reaching free agency, there's no question Martinez is now the leader of the staff.
And that staff figures to get significantly younger in the years to come. Luke Weaver will likely break camp with a rotation spot, and both Jack Flaherty and Alex Reyes will be waiting in the wings.
A case can certainly be made for shortstop Paul DeJong after he posted a 121 OPS+ with 52 extra-base hits in 443 plate appearances. We'll see what his second season holds before he's deemed a true franchise building block, though.
Honorable Mentions
Paul DeJong (24), Luke Weaver (24)
Tampa Bay Rays: CF Kevin Kiermaier
27 of 30
Age: 27
2017 Stats: 421 PA, .276/.338/.450, 33 XBH (15 HR), 39 RBI, 56 R, 16 SB, 5.1 WAR
Contract Status: Signed through 2023
Player Overview
Kevin Kiermaier was a 5.1 WAR player in 2017, and he only played in 98 games.
With 89 DRS over the past three seasons—including 22 in his abridged 2017 campaign—a strong case can be made for him being the best defensive outfielder in baseball.
He's also made significant strides offensively.
After hitting .263/.298/.420 in his first full season in 2015, he's posted a .261/.335/.430 line and 109 OPS+ the past two seasons, and a 20/20 showing is well within reach if he can stay healthy.
The Rays wisely locked the former 31st-round pick up with a six-year, $53.5 million extension that includes a $13 million option for 2023, so he's in it for the long haul.
Honorable Mentions
Jacob Faria (24), Blake Snell (25)
Texas Rangers: 1B Joey Gallo
28 of 30
Age: 24
2017 Stats: 532 PA, .209/.333/.537, 62 XBH (41 HR), 80 RBI, 85 R, 3.2 WAR
Contract Status: Pre-arbitration, under control through 2022
Player Overview
Calling Joey Gallo a one-dimensional slugger is lazy and inaccurate.
Thanks to a terrific 14.1 percent walk rate, he was able to post a respectable .333 on-base percentage despite his .209 batting average—a mark that could climb if his .250 BABIP moves back toward the league average.
He also played solid defense in the outfield (2 DRS, 2.2 UZR/150) despite spending the bulk of his pro career as a corner infielder.
That unsightly 36.8 percent strikeout rate is always going to be part of his game and he's never going to sniff a batting title, but he was a 3.2 WAR player last season, and there's still plenty of room for improvement even with his limitations.
With Adrian Beltre coming down the homestretch of his Hall of Fame career, it's Gallo who figures to take the torch as the centerpiece of the offense.
Honorable Mentions
Nomar Mazara (22), Rougned Odor (23)
Toronto Blue Jays: SP Marcus Stroman
29 of 30
Age: 26
2017 Stats: 33 GS, 13-9, 3.09 ERA, 149 ERA+, 1.31 WHIP, 164 K, 201.0 IP, 5.8 WAR
Contract Status: Arbitration-eligible, under control through 2020
Player Overview
This one would have been a lot tougher a year ago.
However, after a down season from Roberto Osuna (10 blown saves) and an injury-shortened campaign from Aaron Sanchez (36.0 innings pitched), the clear choice is Marcus Stroman.
A popular breakout candidate heading into the 2016 season, Stroman took an extra year to truly arrive as the ace of the staff, but there's little doubt that role now belongs to him.
Any remaining questions of whether his 5'8" frame could handle a starter's workload have been erased by back-to-back 200-inning seasons.
He's still working to rein in his electric stuff and keep his emotions in check, but his fiery demeanor on the mound and charismatic personality off it makes him the perfect face of the franchise.
Change is coming for the Blue Jays with Josh Donaldson staring down free agency next offseason and a number of others set to depart as well.
Expect Stroman to be the constant.
Honorable Mentions
Roberto Osuna (22), Aaron Sanchez (25), Devon Travis (26)
Washington Nationals: SS Trea Turner
30 of 30
Age: 24
2017 Stats: 447 PA, .284/.338/.451, 41 XBH (11 HR), 45 RBI, 75 R, 46 SB, 2.6 WAR
Contract Status: Pre-arbitration, under control through 2022
Player Overview
With Bryce Harper headed for free agency next offseason and Anthony Rendon only under control for two more seasons, the two obvious answers for the Washington Nationals' franchise cornerstone are off the board.
Max Scherzer and Stephen Strasburg are both locked up long-term, but they don't qualify as "young" for the sake of this article.
That leaves us with speedy shortstop Trea Turner.
The 24-year-old came over from the Padres in the three-team trade that sent Steven Souza to the Rays, and he burst onto the scene in 2016 with 35 extra-base hits and 33 stolen bases in 73 games.
A broken wrist limited him to 98 games this past season and brought to a halt what was shaping up to be a breakout season.
Back to 100 percent, a .300 average with 20 home runs and 50 stolen bases while also playing plus defense at shortstop is a very real possibility.
Honorable Mentions
None
All stats courtesy of Baseball Reference, FanGraphs and Brooks Baseball, while contract info comes via Spotrac.
