Predicting Each MLB Team's Face of the Franchise in 2027
Who will be the face of the franchise for every MLB team three years from now?
For some clubs, it's as simple as choosing the young superstar who has signed a long-term deal or is controllable for several years, such as Bobby Witt Jr. in Kansas City or Elly De La Cruz in Cincinnati.
Other teams' choices are not quite as clear-cut, and picking their future face requires some projection of prospects or young players who have so far only shown flashes at the MLB level.
Ahead you'll find our pick for each team's face of the franchise in 2027, based on roster outlook, expected spending and player development.
Check out last year's version of this article here.
Arizona Diamondbacks: OF Corbin Carroll
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After taking the league by storm as a rookie with a 25-homer, 54-steal, 5.4-WAR campaign that saw him win NL Rookie of the Year honors unanimously and finish fifth in MVP balloting, Corbin Carroll has taken a significant step backward this year.
The 23-year-old is hitting .220/.310/.382 for a 94 OPS+ with 1.3 WAR in 118 games, but there is still reason to believe he can return to face of the franchise form.
He has a .930 OPS with six home runs in 24 games since the All-Star break, and with an eight-year, $111 million extension on the books that will keep him in a D-backs uniform through at least 2030, he is still expected to be the guy.
Don't Sleep On: SS Jordan Lawlar
Atlanta Braves: OF Ronald Acuña Jr.
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Will Ronald Acuña Jr. ever be the same?
After taking home 2023 NL MVP honors with a historic 41-homer, 73-steal, 8.2-WAR season, the dynamic outfielder suffered a torn left ACL in May that ended his season.
It's the second time he's suffered a torn ACL, with an injury to the right one ending his 2021 season prematurely, and he wasn't the same player when he initially returned to action in 2022, finishing with a 112 OPS+ and just 15 home runs in 119 games.
Here's taking the optimistic stance that once this latest knee injury is in the rearview, he'll be able to get back to MVP form as the face of the franchise in Atlanta.
Don't Sleep On: SP Spencer Strider
Baltimore Orioles: C Adley Rutschman
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It's extremely difficult to find a true franchise catcher who can be a cornerstone player, anchoring the pitching staff while also providing impact offensive production.
The Orioles found that when they took Adley Rutschman with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 draft, and he has already piled up 12.5 WAR over his first 378 games in the big leagues, with his arrive signaling the end of a rebuild and start of a new wave of contention in Baltimore.
With club control through 2027, he will be a prime candidate for a massive extension sometime in the not-too-distant future, and while dynamic young infielders Gunnar Henderson and Jackson Holliday both have bright futures, Rutschman is the foundation of it all in Baltimore.
Don't Sleep On: IF Jackson Holliday
Boston Red Sox: 3B Rafael Devers
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How in the world is Rafael Devers still only 27 years old?
Boston's star third baseman has seemingly been one of the league's premier offensive players for the past decade, but he is just entering the prime of his career by typical age standards.
He has a career-high 160 OPS+ with 31 doubles, 25 home runs, 72 RBI and 4.3 WAR in 106 games this year, and while he will likely never win a Gold Glove, he is no longer a liability in the field and should be able to stick at the hot corner for the foreseeable future.
After trading Mookie Betts and letting Xander Bogaerts walk in free agency, the Red Sox finally took care of one of their homegrown stars when they signed Devers to a 10-year, $313.5 million extension in January 2023.
Don't Sleep On: SS Marcelo Mayer
Chicago Cubs: C Moises Ballesteros
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The Cubs have not had a true face of the franchise since blowing up their World Series roster and sending Anthony Rizzo, Kris Bryant, Javier Baez and Kyle Schwarber out of town.
Cody Bellinger feels like more of a short-term, hired gun as far as stars are concerned, while high-priced shortstop Dansby Swanson doesn't have the flashiest skill set with a game built on defense.
Could the future face of the franchise be a 5'7", 215-pound catcher?
Moises Ballesteros is hitting .292/.361/.493 with 18 doubles, 16 home runs and 62 RBI in 94 games between Double-A and Triple-A, and he is one of the youngest players in the upper levels of the minors, with his 21st birthday not until November.
Fellow top prospects Cade Horton, Owen Caissie, Matthew Shaw and others could also rise to stardom, while Pete Crow-Armstrong is also capable of a major step forward, but Ballesteros is a sleeper pick to be a fan favorite in Chicago.
Don't Sleep On: SP Shōta Imanaga
Chicago White Sox: SP Noah Schultz
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Assuming Luis Robert Jr. and Garrett Crochet are traded at some point in the next calendar year, the next face of the franchise for the Chicago White Sox is almost certainly not on the current MLB roster.
Shortstop Colson Montgomery would have been the obvious pick at this time a year ago, and he still has face of the franchise upside, but he is hitting just .207/.329/.377 with a 28.3 percent strikeout rate at Triple-A this year.
Instead, it's left-hander Noah Schultz who has emerged as the team's top prospect and arguably the best pitching prospect in all of baseball. The towering 6'9" southpaw has a plus fastball, elite slider and checks all the boxes to be a future ace. He could be the team's Opening Day starter in 2027.
Don't Sleep On: SS Colson Montgomery
Cincinnati Reds: SS Elly De La Cruz
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It's not out of the question to think Elly De La Cruz might be one of the faces of baseball by the time the 2027 season arrives, and you could even argue that he is already approaching that level of notoriety.
With a 6'5", 200-pound frame, light-tower power and blazing speed, he is a true baseball unicorn. After flashing his impressive raw tools as a rookie, he is hitting .263/.346/.493 for a 130 OPS+ with 28 doubles, 21 home runs, 52 RBI and 59 steals in a 4.3-WAR follow-up campaign.
His NL-leading 162 strikeouts speak to the work he still has to do refining his overall approach, but the old cliche that the "sky's the limit" truly applies to the Reds dynamic young shortstop.
Don't Sleep On: SP Hunter Greene
Cleveland Guardians: 3B José Ramírez
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The Guardians inked José Ramírez to a seven-year, $141 million extension prior to the 2022 season, locking up one of the game's most underrated superstars after years of trade rumors.
The 31-year-old is having another MVP-caliber season this year, hitting .281/.335/.543 for a 141 OPS+ with 27 doubles, 31 home runs, 98 RBI and 27 steals in a 4.5-WAR season, and he is leading the way for a Cleveland squad shaping up to be a title contender.
He may never receive the attention he deserves on a national level, but he is quietly putting together a Hall of Fame-caliber career and will still be adding to that resume three years down the road.
Don't Sleep On: 2B Travis Bazzana
Colorado Rockies: OF Charlie Condon
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Slugger Charlie Condon hit .433/.556/1.009 with 37 home runs in 60 games at the University of Georgia this spring to win 2024 Golden Spikes honors before going No. 3 overall in the draft.
It's easy to dream of the damage he might one day do at Coors Field.
Third baseman Ryan McMahon feels like the current de facto face of the franchise in Colorado, while shortstop Ezequiel Tovar and center fielder Brenton Doyle are both promising young players, but the fan base will be absolutely buzzing once Condon gets the call.
He began his pro career at High-A Spokane and could be on the fast track.
Don't Sleep On: SP Chase Dollander
Detroit Tigers: OF Riley Greene
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Outfielder Riley Greene has steadily improved over his three years in the majors, hitting .264/.357/.485 for a 132 OPS+ with 21 doubles, 17 home runs, 51 RBI and 3.8 WAR while earning his first All-Star selection.
With former No. 1 overall picks Spencer Torkelson and Casey Mize both falling short of expectations and breakout ace Tarik Skubal headed for free agency after the 2026 season if he is not signed to an extension, Greene looks like the leading candidate to be the long-term face of the franchise.
Right-hander Jackson Jobe and infielders Colt Keith and Jace Jung all have star potential, but Greene looks like the guy for a Tigers team lurking on the fringe of contention.
Don't Sleep On: SP Jackson Jobe
Houston Astros: DH Yordan Alvarez
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Current face of the franchise Jose Altuve signed a five-year, $125 million extension during the offseason that will keep him in Houston through 2029, but he will be 37 years old during the 2027 season and there's a good chance his production will be trending in the wrong direction.
However, slugger Yordan Alvarez will still be smack dab in the middle of his prime in his age-30 season, and he too is under contract on a six-year, $115 million deal that will lock him into a spot in the middle of the Astros lineup through 2028.
His sweet lefty swing has produced a .304/.395/.555 line for a 167 OPS+ with 28 doubles, 25 home runs and 64 RBI in 115 games this season, and he could be a dark horse to make a run at a Triple Crown if he finds another gear.
Don't Sleep On: 3B Alex Bregman
Kansas City Royals: SS Bobby Witt Jr.
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If odds were placed on who would be the best player in baseball during the 2027 season, Bobby Witt Jr. might be the smart money play.
The 24-year-old is hitting .349/.397/.612 for a 174 OPS+ with 33 doubles, 11 triples, 24 home runs, 89 RBI, 102 runs scored, 25 steals and 7.9 WAR in a season that has seen him go from rising star to bona fide superstar.
He is on track to be the Royals best homegrown player since George Brett, and with a long-term deal on the books that could keep him in Kansas City through 2037 if all of the options are exercised, it's his team now.
Who will step up as a complementary star once 34-year-old Salvador Perez hangs it up?
Don't Sleep On: C Blake Mitchell
Los Angeles Angels: OF Mike Trout
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What do the next three years have in store for Mike Trout?
At this point, it's hard to see any potential trade partner rolling the dice on the $37.1 million annual salary he will pull in through the 2030 campaign, so for better or worse, he will likely still be wearing an Angels uniform.
His run at GOAT status has been derailed by injuries, but he is still a sure-fire Hall of Famer who remains extremely productive when healthy and is one of the most recognizable players in the sport.
Don't Sleep On: 2B Christian Moore
Los Angeles Dodgers: DH/RHP Shohei Ohtani
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It feels like the Dodgers have half a dozen players who would be the pick for other franchises, but there is no doubt Shohei Ohtani is the guy on a roster that also features Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, Clayton Kershaw and several other stars.
Even if he never returns to ace form on the mound, Ohtani has proven he is still an all-world talent even when simply limited to DH duties.
In the first season of his massive 10-year, $700 million deal that is chock full of deferred money, he is hitting .295/.383/.617 with a NL-leading 37 home runs and 6.1 WAR in 118 games, and if the season ended today he would likely walk away with his third MVP award in the past four years.
If he does return to form on the mound, he could double that total by the end of 2027.
Don't Sleep On: IF/OF Mookie Betts
Miami Marlins: SP Eury Pérez
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It's almost impossible to believe the Marlins were a playoff team a year ago given the current state of the franchise, but there are some solid pieces for them to build around in the coming years.
One of the most prominent hasn't played a single game in 2024.
Right-hander Eury Pérez made his MLB debut last May shortly after his 20th birthday, and while the Marlins kept him on a careful innings limit, he showed tremendous potential while posting a 3.15 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 108 strikeouts in 91.1 innings over 19 starts.
His sophomore campaign ended before it ever began when he underwent Tommy John surgery at the beginning of April, but he still has as much long-term upside as any young pitcher in the game.
Don't Sleep On: C Agustin Ramirez
Milwaukee Brewers: OF Jackson Chourio
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The Brewers thought highly enough of Jackson Chourio that he was signed to an eight-year, $82 million extension before ever making his MLB debut.
He broke camp with a starting job and took his lumps early, looking overmatched at times during the first two months of the season. However, since June 1, he has been one of the most productive players in baseball.
- Before June 1: 174 PA, .210/.254/.327, 9 XBH (5 HR), 16 RBI, 27.0 K%
- Since June 1: 223 PA, .320/.368/.510, 21 XBH (9 HR), 35 RBI, 16.1 K%
Throw in his speed on the bases and the value he adds as a plus defender in the outfield and he has MVP-type upside.
Not bad for the youngest player to appear in an MLB game this season.
Don't Sleep On: SP Jacob Misiorowski
Minnesota Twins: OF Walker Jenkins
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If Royce Lewis could find a way to stay healthy for a full season, he would be the slam-dunk choice as the future face of the franchise for the Twins, but to this point he has given no indication that is going to happen.
Instead, the outfield tandem of Walker Jenkins and Emmanuel Rodriguez looks like the future of the franchise, along with rookie Brooks Lee who figures to settle into an everyday role on the infield next year.
Jenkins, 19, was the No. 5 overall pick in the 2023 draft, and the 6'2", 210-pound teenager has hit .301/.398/.464 with 30 extra-base hits in 357 plate appearances since starting his pro career. He is still just scratching the surface of his power potential.
Don't Sleep On: OF Emmanuel Rodriguez
New York Mets: C Francisco Alvarez
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Regardless of what happens with the upcoming free agency of slugger Pete Alonso, there is a good chance the torch will be passed to Francisco Alvarez as the most potent bat in the New York Mets lineup.
The 22-year-old crushed 25 home runs in 123 games as a rookie, and he has turned in a more well-rounded follow-up campaign, hitting .259/.320/.410 after posting a lackluster .209/.284/.437 line a year ago.
At an age when most catching prospects are just getting their first taste of the upper levels of the minors, he is already an integral piece of the puzzle for a Mets team trying to chase down a postseason berth.
Shortstop Francisco Lindor will be 33 years old and in the sixth season of his 10-year, $341 million contract in 2027.
Don't Sleep On: SS Francisco Lindor
New York Yankees: OF Aaron Judge
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Even if the New York Yankees re-sign Juan Soto to a massive deal this offseason, it's unlikely he will ever fully overtake homegrown superstar Aaron Judge as the face of the franchise in the eyes of the fanbase.
While he has dealt with some injury issues over the years, Judge has successfully pushed that narrative to the back burner with his MVP performance in 2023.
The 32-year-old is well on his way to taking home the hardware again as the AL leader in home runs (43), RBI (110), walks (102), on-base percentage (.467), slugging percentage (.707), OPS+ (224), total bases (301) and WAR (8.4).
His nine-year, $360 million deal will keep him in pinstripes through 2031.
Don't Sleep On: SS Anthony Volpe
Oakland Athletics: 1B Nick Kurtz
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It speaks to the significant offensive potential that Nick Kurtz possesses that he was the No. 4 overall pick in the 2024 draft, despite offering limited value outside of what he does in the batter's box.
In roughly one full MLB season's worth of games (164) and Wake Forest, he hit .333/.510/.725 with 61 home runs and 182 RBI, and he could be one of the first players from the 2024 draft class to make it to the majors.
The 6'5", 240-pound slugger could be a perennial 30-homer, 100-RBI threat in the middle of the batting order in his prime, which might be the perfect complement to 2023 first-round pick Jacob Wilson who looks poised to be a perennial batting title contender.
Don't Sleep On: SS Jacob Wilson
Philadelphia Phillies: 1B Bryce Harper
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With 332 home runs, 962 RBI and 50.0 WAR in his age-31 season, Bryce Harper is on a Hall of Fame trajectory, and he will take aim at some major career milestones before his 13-year, $330 million deal is up following the 2031 season.
A full-time move to first base should help him age a bit more gracefully, and he is showing no signs of slowing down in his 13th MLB season, hitting .281/.371/.542 for a 154 OPS+ with 27 doubles, 26 home runs and 73 RBI in 105 games.
Even if he is not the best player on the team when the 2027 season rolls around, he will remain the face of the franchise as one of baseball's most recognizable superstars.
It will be interesting to see if a healthy Andrew Painter can get back on the ace trajectory he was showing prior to undergoing Tommy John surgery. He is still only 21 years old.
Don't Sleep On: SP Andrew Painter
Pittsburgh Pirates: SP Paul Skenes
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Generally speaking, it takes an organization completely devoid of offensive stars or a generational talent on the mound for a pitcher to be the face of the franchise for his team.
Paul Skenes falls into that second category.
The No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 draft is already mowing down MLB hitters with a 2.25 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 115 strikeouts in 92 innings over his first 15 starts, and he was also the NL starter in the All-Star Game.
As long as he stays healthy, Skenes has all the tools to be the best pitcher in baseball for the next decade, and his arrival has signaled a push toward contention for a Pittsburgh squad that has been rebuilding for years.
Don't Sleep On: SS Oneil Cruz
San Diego Padres: OF Jackson Merrill
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It might seem bold on a roster where Fernando Tatis Jr., Manny Machado and Xander Bogaerts are all signed long-term to suggest that Jackson Merrill will take over as the face of the franchise, but he has that type of upside.
The 21-year-old is hitting .288/.321/.481 for a 123 OPS+ with 19 doubles, 17 home runs, 66 RBI, 13 steals and 3.1 WAR in 118 games, and he's doing that while learning to play center field on the fly after starting his pro career as a shortstop in the minors.
Those numbers also don't tell the full story of his current trajectory.
He has a .901 OPS with 14 home runs and 44 RBI in 62 games since the beginning of June, and has started to close the gap to Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes in the NL Rookie of the Year race.
Don't Sleep On: OF Fernando Tatis Jr.
San Francisco Giants: 1B Bryce Eldridge
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It's been a long time since the San Francisco Giants developed a homegrown offensive star, but that might finally have changed this season with the emergence of outfielder Heliot Ramos in a post-hype breakout season.
However, it's their current top prospect who might have the highest long-term ceiling in the organization.
Bryce Eldridge is a towering 6'7", 223-pound slugger who was a standout two-way player in high school before turning his full attention to hitting in pro ball after going No. 16 overall in the 2023 draft.
He is hitting .285/.373/.486 with 21 doubles, 14 home runs and 70 RBI in 84 games between Single-A and High-A, and he has as much raw power potential as any prospect in the minors if everything clicks.
Don't Sleep On: OF Heliot Ramos
Seattle Mariners: OF Julio Rodríguez
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After two phenomenal seasons to begin his MLB career, the 2024 campaign has been one to forget for Julio Rodríguez.
The 23-year-old had a 6.2-WAR rookie season to run away with AL Rookie of the Year honors in 2022, then followed that up with a 32-homer, 37-steal campaign last year en route to finishing fourth in AL MVP balloting.
This year he has navigated injuries to hit .263/.313/.371 for a 100 OPS+ with 11 doubles, 10 home runs, 38 RBI and 18 steals in 103 games, still logging 2.0 WAR along the way even with a dip in production.
Given his age and track record, there is no reason to think he can't get back to his MVP-caliber level of production, and the Mariners are committed to him through the 2029 season with options that run through 2034.
Don't Sleep On: OF Lazaro Montes
St. Louis Cardinals: SS Masyn Winn
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With Paul Goldschmidt headed for free agency this winter and Nolan Arenado in the midst of the worst season of his career in his age-33 campaign, there is a changing of the guard coming for the St. Louis Cardinals.
Shortstop Masyn Winn has looked the part of a future franchise cornerstone as a rookie this season, hitting .275/.325/.410 for a 104 OPS+ with 35 extra-base hits and 10 steals in 112 games, but it's his defense that has made him an instant star.
The 22-year-old leads all shortstops with 11 Defensive Runs Saved and has one of the strongest throwing arms in baseball as a former two-way player who had serious upside on the mound. He will need to hit a bit more to be a true face of the franchise type talent, but the tools are there.
Don't Sleep On: OF Jordan Walker
Tampa Bay Rays: 3B Junior Caminero
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Junior Caminero made his MLB debut last season as a September call-up just a few months after his 20th birthday, and he played well enough in limited action to find a spot on the team's postseason roster.
He returned to the minors this year, but was recently recalled, and he should get a long look as the team's everyday third baseman after Isaac Paredes was traded to the Chicago Cubs at the deadline.
With a 60-hit, 70-power offensive profile and a terrific minor league track record, he has the potential to be one of the best offensive players in baseball once he reaches his full potential.
Don't Sleep On: 1B Xavier Isaac
Texas Rangers: OF Wyatt Langford
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Shortstop Corey Seager will be in the sixth season of his 10-year, $325 million contract in 2027 and potentially still in his prime as a 33-year-old, but there is another rising face of the franchise for the Texas Rangers.
Outfielder Wyatt Langford played just 44 games in the minors before making his MLB debut, playing his way onto the Opening Day roster of the defending World Series champions less than a year after he was taken No. 4 overall in the 2023 draft.
His overall numbers this year don't jump off the page with a .242/.310/.372 line and 28 extra-base hits in 393 plate appearances, but that was to be expected considering how quickly he was faced with a massive uptick in the level of competition.
Here's predicting his offensive game clicks once he gets comfortable in the majors and he quickly develops into a middle-of-the-order star.
Don't Sleep On: SS Corey Seager
Toronto Blue Jays: 1B Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
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There was a time earlier this spring when it looked increasingly likely that Vladimir Guerrero Jr. would be playing elsewhere before the 2024 season came to an end, but his scorching hot bat is making it more and more difficult for the Blue Jays to consider letting him get away.
The 25-year-old is hitting .323/.393/.557 for a 166 OPS+ with 32 doubles, 25 home runs and 80 RBI, and those numbers would look even better if not for an ice cold first month of the season.
He is arbitration-eligible through next season, so this winter or next spring could be when extension talks really heat up, but expect the homegrown slugger to stick around on a long-term deal.
Don't Sleep On: SS Arjun Nimmala
Washington Nationals: OF James Wood
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This one is truly a toss-up between outfielders James Wood and Dylan Crews, with both players possessing superstar upside and extremely high floors thanks to their polished offensive games.
It would not be the least bit surprising to see those two start alongside one another for the National League in multiple All-Star Games once they both settle in as big leaguers, but for now we'll give a slight edge to Wood since he's already holding his own against MLB pitching.
Shortstop CJ Abrams also deserves a shoutout in the midst of a breakout season where he has established himself as a long-term building block.
Don't Sleep On: OF Dylan Crews
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