Major League Baseball is stocked with young baseball players. Some have made their mark, some have yet to do so, but surely will. Here is my top ten:
1. Hanley Ramirez, Florida Marlins
Putting up MVP seasons and only 24-years old. He is going to have a long and very nice career.
2. Tim Lincecum, San Francisco Giants
An established player that already won the Cy Young Award while on the Giants. Bill Bavasi chose not to draft him when he drafted Brandon Morrow.
3. David Price, Tampa Bay Rays
He showed the entire world during the World Series that he was a dominant pitcher. If he is not in the rotation in 2009, I will start a riot!
4. Evan Longoria, Tampa Bay Rays
An all-star, he competed in the home run derby during the all-star break. He was the Rookie of the Year and one of the top players in the MLB. Along with an outstanding post-season, he helped bring his team to the World Series.
5. Felix Hernandez, Seattle Mariners
He is an established player at 22-years old. He almost led the league in strikeouts and earned run average, but with the offense behind him, he only went 9-11. He threw 90+ miles per hour when he was only 14 years old.
6. Joba Chamberlain, New York Yankees
The Yankees have a guy who is going to be the next Andy Pettite. Even if the Yankees bring in Sabathia, they will still almost be forced to put Chamberlain in the rotation.
7. Jay Bruce, Cincinnati Reds
In his first two weeks in the big leagues, he was putting up unheard of numbers—better numbers than some players have in an entire season of play. He is a five-tool player with big bats next to him, including Joey Votto, who can get a lot of RBI and runs.
8. Prince Fielder, Milwaukee Brewers
Last season he would have been in the top three on my list, but after this season, he dropped quite a few. He put up MVP numbers in 2007 with 50+ home runs.
9. Scott Kazmir, Tampa Bay Rays
A lot of clubs have shown interest in wanting a trade for him this offseason, but the Rays are going to try as hard as they possibly can to keep him on the roster.
10. B.J. Upton, Tampa Bay Rays
By far the better of the Upton brothers, he is the fourth Ray on this list. He is a five-tool talent with versatility in the field—he can play various positions, a big plus.
Honorable Mentions
Brandon Morrow, Seattle Mariners; Bryan McCann, Atlanta Braves; Chad Billingsley, Los Angeles Dodgers; Cole Hamels, Philadelphia Phillies; and Jon Lester, Boston Red Sox.
12 comments Last one added 4 months ago — Leave a Comment
Steven Resnick 7 months ago
Carlos Gonzalez who is now on the Rockies will be a gem for them.
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Ben Brown 7 months ago
ya but i don't know how all the moves will pan out for him. arizona to oakland, oakland to colorado.
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Will Shepherd 7 months ago
I've followed Hanley for a long time now. I'd count down the days to when he would be the BoSox starting SS and I'd smile, impatiently waiting. Anyhow, this was one of those True Success stories of a trade and I'm glad that Marlins were able to wrap this guy up for 10 years, or whatever crazy length it is.
Mike Lowell and of course Josh Beckett have been invaluable to the Red Sox and Hanley is just going to continue his beastly assault on the National League for a very long time to come.
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TAB BAMFORD 7 months ago
How is the MVP of the World Series an Honorable Mention? There's no way Cole Hamels doesn't make this list and Scott Kazmir, Joba and King Felix do. If this is a list based on talent, MAYBE... though I would still say Hamels has better stuff than Kazmir and Chamberlain. If it's based on performance there's no question he should be in the top 5.
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Ben Brown 7 months ago
mvp of the world series is what 5 games of being good and not even playing every game. Felix has better stuff than Hamels. Kazmir and Chamberlain are better than Hamels.
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Shanan H. 7 months ago
Lester's better than 'honorable mention'
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Ben Brown 7 months ago
then why don't you tell me who should be kicked off to make room for him?
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Shanan H. 7 months ago
I agree with Nick. Although Joba rules, he could go, too. (He's a little overated)
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Nick Caso 7 months ago
I would switch David Price with Jon Lester in a heartbeat. I love Price but until he pitches a full season I am no sold. Lester is one of the best pitchers in BASEBALL! Price IS GOING to be nasty, but Lester IS nasty.
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Brandon Ho 6 months ago
Umm... Matt Kemp anybody?
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Ben Brown 6 months ago
I completely forgot about him! If I was to redo the article he would be VERY well ranked!
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Jeremiah Wood 4 months ago
Who would Matt Kemp possibly jump on this list? I think B.J. Upton is too low. You have to take last year's numbers with a grain of salt considering he was playing with a torn labrum. You saw his seven yacks in the postseason, and that speed...He could turn out to be reallly good.
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