MLB's Kiddie Table Needs More Chairs: 15 Most Exciting Players Under 24

Every so often, you hear people of influence connected to or interested in Major League Baseball fuss about how the black American baseball player is disappearing from the diamond.

Various reasons are given—the game's simply not cool, it doesn't translate to the urban setting, MLB doesn't do a good job of reaching out to the black community, etc.

In my opinion, one of the biggest—if not most popular—reasons for the disparity in racial demographics between the Majors and the other big two American sports is the money.

More precisely, it's the speed with which a prospect can cash in on his talent.

There is a general understanding that the riches come quicker in the National Football League and the National Basketball Association. It may be true that the average career is longer in professional baseball, but patience and forethought have never been the calling cards of youth.

Consequently, the lure of the pro contract is much stronger and the image of the pot of gold more tangible in basketball and football.

In truth, the Show will always feature a longer trek to the Promised Land. It will never be able to compete with the NBA's stable of teenage millionaires and the NFL will remain a greener league because virtually all of its players enter before the age of 23.

However, there's a fresh breath of air blowing through baseball these days. The last couple of years have seen an influx of super-young, super-talented ballplayers who've made an impact right away.

As this collection of pulse-racing ability will attest, the path to the big leagues is getting shorter for the truly elite blue-chippers. Understand, these aren't guys with a shot at being just average or even good.

This is a list of 15 superstars in the making who will ring in 2011 shy of their 24th birthdays.

Honorable Mention, But a 1986 Birthday Means You're Too Old

Here are the best of the group that will turn 24 in 2010 or have already done so.

The competition is so rugged, I only have time to mention developing studs like Carlos Santana, Johnny Cueto, Jaime Garcia, Colby Rasmus, Andrew McCutchen, Matt Wieters, Jake Arrieta, Brett Cecil, and Tommy Hanson.

Phew.

As impressive as those ballplayers have looked at times, this list is strictly for those who've already achieved some measure of consistency over a reasonable sampling in addition to stretches of brilliance:

Jair Jurrjens, Atlanta Braves—born January 29, 1986; the Dutch import (kind of) had an atrocious start to the '10 campaign and then hit the disabled list with a hamstring issue. Even so, his career line of a 3.38 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, and 1.91 K:BB after 77 starts is sparkling.

Yovani Gallardo, Milwaukee Brewers—born February 27, 1986; el Chupacabra hasn't been as dominant this year, but his career 3.34 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, and 2.3 K:BB in 64 starts speak to the right-hander's prowess. If the Brew Crew could find a couple more arms like this one, Milwaukee might be a contender.

Felix Hernandez, Seattle Mariners—born April 8, 1986; if you're anything like me, you're stunned to see King Felix is still so young. After over 150 career starts, it's easy to forget his debut came at a tender 19 years of age. With almost 1000 IP, his career 3.48 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, and 2.79 K:BB are perhaps the most absurd numbers you'll see here.

Billy Butler, Kansas City Royals—born April 18, 1986; Butler was all the rage in fantasy circles when his minor league star was on the rise back in 2007, but a tepid start to his big league career effectively killed the buzz. Well, a .329 BA, .857 OPS, and 23 BB against 28 Ks this season have revived it.

Phil Hughes, New York Yankees—born June 24, 1986; like the Royals first baseman, Hughes had a spotlight focused on him as he broke into the Show in '07. After early struggles and a foray into late-inning relief, the big fella has found his groove and is coasting along nicely. He's 8-1 with a 2.71 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, 2.71, and a 3.4 K:BB this season.

Pablo Sandoval, San Francisco Giants—born August 11, 1986; the Kung Fu Panda is in the midst of an arid spell that's seen his '10 batting average dip all the way to .280 and has sapped a good deal of his power.

Nevertheless, the converted catcher flirted with the 2009 National League batting title and is a career .320 hitter with an .882 OPS in 960 AB i.e. consider the scuffle temporary.

No. 15—Ike Davis, New York Mets

You could make a strong argument for a number of tykes in this spot.

Elvis Andrus (21), Neftali Feliz (22), Travis Snider (22), Brian Matusz (23), Chris Tillman (22), Cameron Maybin (23), and Drew Storen (22) all have credible claims.

But I'm going with Davis (born March 22, 1987) because he's been playing both sides of the ball pretty well and he's been doing it in New York City.

Say what you want about the Metropolitans playing second fiddle to the Yankees in New York, that's still a pretty big fiddle. The new first baseman has handled the job well—.254 BA, .783 OPS, 48 Ks, and 23 BB in 173 AB.

Those numbers won't floor anyone, but the kid was brought into a hostile situation and expected to help redirect the offense. He's played a part there and all under the microscope of the biggest media market in the country.

To me, that looks like the beginning of a stellar pedigree.

No. 14—Starlin Castro, Chicago Cubs

Yeah, I'm partial to shortstops—the good ones are, by definition, the most exciting players on the diamond.

And Castro (born March 24, 1990) has the raw ingredients to be one of the best.

The dynamo started his professional career with a bang; actually, he started it with a grand slam and a record six runs batted in. So things were probably going downhill from there as they have.

Still, a .264 BA and a .313 OBA aren't too shabby for a man-child who can't legally drink in the U.S. until 2011.

No. 13—Austin Jackson, Detroit Tigers

If Jackson's power ever arrives, the New York Yankees might end up regretting the trade that netted them Curtis Granderson at the expense of the speedy center fielder, Phil Coke, and Ian Kennedy.

At 6'1" and 185 pounds, size and strength won't be problems for the young Tiger (born February 1, 1987). Additionally, Austin's already flashing some good gap-to-gap power with 17 doubles and three triples in 250 at-bats.

Toss in a .308 BA, a .352 OBP, 10 SB, and you already have the beginnings of an excellent leadoff man.

And that makes Jackson one to watch even without the big fly power.

No. 12—Trevor Cahill, Oakland Athletics

This selection might catch a little heat outside the Bay Area, but so be it.

Cahill is only three months removed from his 22nd birthday (born March 1, 1988) and that makes his 2010 efforts exceedingly impressive.

The unheralded right-hander has registered a 2.91 ERA and a 1.15 WHIP, which means he's adjusted to the Bigs after spending 178 2/3 innings in 2009 (his rookie campaign) getting baptized by fire. Sure, the sabermetric peripherals indicate this is all a mirage, but I'm not a true believer in stats.

Plus, the fine people at Baseball America saw fit to rate the A's hurler the No. 11 prospect in all of baseball entering 2009.

Combined with his current run, that's reason enough for me to keep an eye on Cahill.

No. 11—Rick Porcello, Detroit Tigers

Porcello (born December 27, 1988) is playing the negative to Cahill's positive thus far in 2010.

The youngest Tiger enjoyed a breakout 2009, throwing an un-rookie-like 170 2/3 innings in which he posted a 3.96 ERA and 1.34 WHIP. Unfortunately, he's slumping his way through an uneven sophomore season.

Like Cahill, Porcello doesn't light up the scoreboard with his strikeout totals. But the kid has already shown the ability to thrive in the Majors.

At his age, he's got plenty of time to absorb his lumps and come back stronger.

No. 10—Brett Anderson, Oakland Athletics

Anderson (born February 1, 1988) would be a LOT higher on this list if not for his recent injury woes. Although the elbow inflammation doesn't sound like anything too serious (read: structural), it's a sincere reason for concern any time a power arm gets shut down for an extended stretch.

Especially when the injury report contains the words "throwing elbow."

My dark horse for the American League Cy Young is on the shelf for the second 15-day stint in 2010. That's no good.

On the other hand, his career line after 206 innings—3.80 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, and 3.51 K:BB—is very good. If the southpaw can shirk the health bugaboo and return to form, the sky is the limit.

No. 9—Mike Leake, Cincinnati Reds

It's tough to know what to make of Leake—the rookie (born November 12, 1987) has been unreal despite skipping the Minors completely. Yet he's twirled less than 80 innings and doesn't miss too many bats (52 K).

In other words, the right-hander's stuff might not hold up once the league gets another look at him and he hasn't thrown enough frames to remove that "might."

Nevertheless, he was a top-10 pick in the draft and you can't argue with the early returns. After all, there have been plenty of superlative pitchers who dominated without A+ velocity or a Kerry Wood curve.

No. 8—Mat Latos, San Diego Padres

Word is beginning to filter out of the National League West, but Latos (born December 9, 1987) still might be the most underrated player on this list.

The 6'6" right-hander had an unsteady audition in 2009, but he seems to have learned from the lesson well. Through 12 starts in 2010, Latos has been good for 72 1/3 IP, a 3.24 ERA, a 1.01 WHIP, a 3.2 K:BB, and a .199 BAA.

Whenever you hold the opposition below the Mendoza line, you're throwing some serious funk.

As a die-hard San Francisco Giant fan, I can promise you the City isn't relishing the notion of watching this beast for the next 10-15 years.

No. 7—Clayton Kershaw, Los Angeles Dodgers

It gives me no pleasure to slide a Bum into the top 10, but Kershaw (born March 19, 1988) absolutely demands the treatment.

Once he figures out his control issues, this is going to be one rough assignment. The 22-year-old obviously has time on his side in that regard and, in truth, is already pretty hard on the lumber.

The flame-throwing lefty has logged 64 starts and 356 1/3 IP since getting the call to the big club in 2008. In those frames, he's managed a 3.31 ER and a 1.32 WHIP despite walking almost FIVE batters per nine innings.

That's insanity.

No. 6—Jay Bruce, Cincinnati Reds

If not for the ridiculously hyped prospects who make good on every inch of the mania, I'd say it was impossible for Bruce (born April 3, 1987) to deliver on his reputation. Alas, those on the higher rungs of this ladder have proven incredibly difficult is not synonymous with impossible.

However, if you want to know how a 23-year-old with two abbreviated seasons of 20+ big potatoes already under his belt falls outside the top five, the bloated expectations are to blame.

The highly anticipated Redleg was supposed to take the Show by five-category storm. Instead, Jay's struggled to hit for good average and hasn't been flashing much speed.

Again, though, he's still so young that there's lots of development left in that body. Oh, and the average is within spitting distance of .280, which is wonderful next to that 30 homer pop.

No. 5—Mike Stanton, Florida Marlins

Remember, this is the most exciting players under 24, not the BEST.

If I were rating according to talent and accomplishment, I couldn't justify the presence of a guy with less than 20 career at-bats. No matter how bristling with physical tools. But this is about excitement and limitless potential counts in that particular game.

Stanton (born November 8, 1989) appears to be one of those break-the-mold type athletes. His power is already legendary, which means the newest Florida Marlin should be utterly ferocious once he hits his swatting prime around 27.

Additionally, he's swiped two bags, managed seven hits, and a .455 OBP in his first 19 AB. It's early, but so far so good.

No. 4—Buster Posey, San Francisco Giants

Call me a homer if you must, but then take a closer look at Posey (born March 27, 1987) and I'll be waiting for the apology.

Fair warning—don't stare directly into the numbers, they may blind you from the entire package.

Everyone knows the catcher of the future was brought up to contribute with the bat and he's done precisely that—.396 BA, .995 OPS, and only four strikeouts in 54 AB. It's the first time I've ever seen a rookie splinter lead by example with a veteran offensive approach.

But what really vaults Gerald Demp up the leaderboard is his defense—the kid has been almost flawless at first base and has dazzled in his few reps behind the plate.

It's like he's got all the experience and calm of a grizzled veteran, but he's still wet behind the ears—kind of like a Major League Benjamin Button.

No. 3—Jason Heyward, Atlanta Braves

What more can you really say about Heyward (born August 9, 1989)?

Every superlative has been used up, every asinine comparison made, and every bit of hyperbole spent on the Bravos' phenomenal phenom. One of the most anticipated blue-chippers in recent memory, he debuted under titanic expectations and proceeded to deliver.

With excellence to spare.

The batting average (.264) has started to slip after flirting with .300 for most of the year, but the power stroke is still there (.874 OPS) and Heyward continues to demonstrate shocking plate discipline for someone so inexperienced at the pro level (55 Ks against 32 BB in 210 AB).

Of course, the most terrifying number is 20—his age—because it means all of the above should only get better.

No. 2—Justin Upton, Arizona Diamondbacks

Justin Upton is 22. I repeat, Justin Upton (born August 25, 1987) is only 22.

That means he hit .300 with 20 SBs and 26 HRs as a 21-/22-year-old in 2009. With all due respect to the Jason Heywards of the world, they have unlimited and unrecognized potential.

Upton's potential is also unlimited, but he's made substantial progress toward realizing that limitless ability.

Weighted down by enormous expectations augmented by a shiny new (large) contract, Bossman Junior's younger brother is buckling a bit in 2010. Granted, he's still posting good stats for a mortal athlete his age—.245 BA, .754 OPS, and 9 SBs.

But Upton isn't billed as a mere mortal.

Nor should he be.

No. 1—Stephen Strasburg, Washington Nationals

Who else?

I'd love to be creative, but I'd also hate to be stupid.

Hey, when TBS changes its programming AWAY from a Boston Red Sox game for one player, I'm sold on said player.

Seriously, anyone who watched Strasburg (born July 20, 1988) breeze through the Pittsburgh Pirates and Cleveland Indians knows that picture above is about the only thing that can slow this dude down.

In other words, if he likes the mound and he stays healthy, you might as well start molding the bust for Cooperstown.

I'm only slightly exaggerating—I've seen pitchers steam it through the strike zone in the triple digits. I've never seen one do it so easily...after throwing 70 or 80 bullets.

Study him for one inning and it's no mystery how he can combine such velocity with outstanding control; the pride and joy of the Nationals isn't maxing out the effort behind each pitch, which allows him to paint the black at speeds most hurlers just unleash.

Mix in a hellacious curve ball and the task becomes rather unfair.

It's very possible we're watching the genesis of a Nolan Ryan/Greg Maddux hybrid.

That'd be a death sentence for opposing Major League hitters, but it would make for a generation of very lucky fans.