Ranking the 25 Greatest Baseball Players Under 25

There are really just 24 spots up for grabs on this list. Everyone knows who claims the No. 1 spot in the rankings of the 25 greatest baseball players under 25.

There won't be any sightings of Madison Bumgarner or Giancarlo Stanton, as both of those standouts have already turned 25; however, there are tons of All-Stars who did make the cut. 

The ranking process was thorough. The first step was to narrow the list down to approximately 50 players by looking at the 2014 league leaders for all big leaguers aged 24 and younger. Lists of top prospects from around the minor leagues were also consulted.

For position players, stats like batting average, on-base percentage (OBP), slugging percentage, on-base plus slugging (OPS), steals, doubles, home runs and WAR were all taken into consideration. For pitchers, stats like ERA, strikeout rates, walk rates, saves, FIP and WAR were all part of the equation. 

Of course, the rankings weren't just about evaluating players based on their 2014 seasons but on their broader track records as well. As a result, players got credit for putting together multiple seasons of high-level production.

At the same time, a single season of greatness could send a major leaguer vaulting up the rankings. After all, the idea is to recognize the greatest of all, not just the really good.

Position players such as Yasiel Puig, Anthony Rendon and Salvador Perez dominate the top of the list, which marks a drastic change from a season ago when pitchers ruled the rankings. Meanwhile, no team is better represented than the Miami Marlins.

Honorable Mentions

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Before getting started with the top 25, here's a look at some of the players who were under consideration but ultimately missed out on making the cut. The following list of honorable mentions includes both current big leaguers and a few top prospects. 

• Xander Bogaerts, SS, Boston Red Sox
• Billy Hamilton, CF, Cincinnati Reds
• Kolten Wong, 2B, St. Louis Cardinals
• Kevin Kiermaier, OF, Tampa Bay Rays
• Kevin Gausman, SP, Baltimore Orioles
• Jean Segura, SS, Milwaukee Brewers
• Carlos Martinez, P, St. Louis Cardinals 
• Dominic Leone, RP, Seattle Mariners
• Ender Inciarte, CF, Arizona Diamondbacks
• Carlos Correa, SS, Houston Astros
• Addison Russell, SS, Chicago Cubs
• Noah Syndergaard, SP, New York Mets
• Julio Urias, SP, Los Angeles Dodgers
• Scooter Gennett, 2B, Milwaukee Brewers

25. Danny Santana, CF/SS, Minnesota Twins

Jim Mone/Associated Press

Age: 24

Danny Santana provided the Minnesota Twins with all sorts of value in 2014. While splitting the season between shortstop and center field, Santana checked in with a .319 average and totaled 20 steals in just 101 games. 

According to Fangraphs, Santana posted a .405 BABIP last season, which means his batting average is set to drop in 2015. Still, there's a lot to like about a switch-hitter who can hold his own at two of the most defensively demanding spots on the diamond.  

24. Mookie Betts, 2B/CF, Boston Red Sox

Age: 22

Mookie Betts began the 2014 season in Double-A, but he ended it at Fenway Park. 

The 22-year-old earned a call-up to the big leagues after battering the upper minor leagues. While playing in a combined 99 games for Boston's Double-A and Triple-A affiliates, Betts hit .346.

Once he joined the major league club, the right-handed hitter continued to excel. In 52 contests for the Red Sox, Betts posted a .291 average and an .812 OPS while collecting 18 extra-base hits.

23. Ken Giles, RP, Philadelphia Phillies

Age: 24

Ken Giles is one of just two relievers to crack the rankings, and it's a well-deserved distinction for the right-hander. 

Last season, Giles dominated out of the bullpen for the Philadelphia Phillies. The 24-year-old posted a 1.18 ERA and put up a 12.6 K/9 ratio. As Tom Housenick of The Morning Call notes, Giles only gave up one home run all season, and it was to the very first batter he faced.

22. Zack Wheeler, SP, New York Mets

John Minchillo/Associated Press

Age: 24

Zack Wheeler often gets overlooked because the New York Mets have such an array of promising starters, but the right-hander has impressed ever since joining the big league club in the summer of 2013. Last year, during his first full season in New York, Wheeler recored a 3.54 ERA and struck out more than one batter per inning pitched (9.1 K/ratio).

21. Shelby Miller, SP, Atlanta Braves

Jamie Squire/Getty Images

Age: 24

After placing third on the National League Rookie of the Year Award ballot in 2013, Shelby Miller fell off slightly in his second season in the majors. Last year, the right-hander's ERA jumped from 3.08 to 3.74. Meanwhile, his strikeout rate dropped, as he went from posting an 8.8 K/9 ratio to a 6.2 K/9 ratio. 

20. Marcus Stroman, SP, Toronto Blue Jays

Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images

Age: 23

Catcher Russell Martin is a big fan of Marcus Stroman, his new teammate with the Toronto Blue Jays. 

“No, he’s not very big,” Martin said, per Steve Ewen of The Province. “But, then again, neither was Pedro Martinez.”

It's obviously much too soon to be comparing the 5'9" Stroman to the Hall of Fame inductee, but he certainly stepped up in his first action with the Blue Jays last season.

Stroman was particularly effective when working out of the rotation. In 20 starts, the 23-year-old posted a 3.29 ERA for the American League East team. 

19. Wil Myers, CF/RF, San Diego Padres

Age: 24

Wil Myers only needed to play in 88 games to win the 2013 AL Rookie of the Year Award for the Tampa Bay Rays. During his abbreviated season, the outfielder clubbed 23 doubles and 13 home runs.

Last year, he only managed to play in 87 games for the Rays due to a wrist injury. The fact that Myers has yet to play a full season keeps him from moving any higher up in the rankings.

18. Alex Wood, SP, Atlanta Braves

Byline Withheld/Associated Press

Age: 24

Whether he's starting or relieving, Alex Wood has done nothing but get outs for the Atlanta Braves. In 2014, the lefty reeled off a 2.78 ERA in his second season in Atlanta, and he got even better as the year wore on.

In 13 starts after the All-Star break, Wood posted a 2.20 ERA.

17. Trevor Rosenthal, RP, St. Louis Cardinals

Jeff Roberson/Associated Press

Age: 24

Nobody wants to face Trevor Rosenthal in the ninth inning. Last season, the right-hander locked up 45 saves for the St. Louis Cardinals. His best work came back in 2013 when he posted a 2.63 ERA and punched out 108 batters in just 75.1 innings of work. 

16. Christian Yelich, LF, Miami Marlins

Age: 23

Christian Yelich is just the first of several Miami Marlins to make this top 25. 

In 2014, his first full season with the Marlins, Yelich snagged the NL Gold Glove Award for left fielders. The 23-year-old also stepped in as the squad's leadoff hitter and swung at a clip of .284, while stealing 21 bases. 

15. Nolan Arenado, 3B, Colorado Rockies

Age: 23

Nolan Arenado has won the NL Gold Glove at third base in each of his first two seasons with the Colorado Rockies. The right-handed hitter has also produced at the plate.

Last season, Arenado connected on 18 home runs and put up a .828 OPS. Those are impressive numbers, but they're partially a creation of the extreme hitter-friendly environment in Colorado. Of his 18 home runs, 16 came at Coors Field. At home, Arenado posted a .928 OPS, while on the road that figure dropped to .713.

14. Yordano Ventura, SP, Kansas City Royals

Charlie Neibergall/Associated Press

Age: 23

Armed with a fastball that can sear past 100 mph, Yordano Ventura is one of the most entertaining pitchers in baseball. After a September cameo in 2013, the starter turned in a standout rookie campaign a season ago. In 31 outings, the Dominican posted a 14-11 record and put up a 3.20 ERA.

13. Michael Wacha, SP, St. Louis Cardinals

Joe Robbins/Getty Images

Age: 23

Michael Wacha created a ton of buzz during his rookie season back in 2013. The right-handed starter recorded a 2.78 ERA in 15 outings during the regular season, and then, he played a key role in the NL Central club's run to the World Series. Unfortunately for St. Louis, his sophomore season wasn't nearly as successful, as a shoulder injury wrecked his summer. 

12. Henderson Alvarez, SP, Miami Marlins

Matt Slocum/Associated Press

Age: 24

Just 24 years old, Henderson Alvarez has already pitched in parts of four seasons for the Toronto Blue Jays and the Miami Marlins. In 2014, it all started to click for the right-hander. 

Last season for the Fish, Alvarez posted a 2.65 ERA, which was the lowest mark for any starter under the age of 25 who qualified as a league leader. It was also the 11th-best ERA among starters, ranking him right ahead of Jordan Zimmermann and Zack Greinke.

11. Manny Machado, 3B, Baltimore Orioles

Mitchell Layton/Getty Images

Age: 22

Manny Machado had a monster season back in 2013. The right-handed hitter connected on 51 doubles to lead the league, and he snagged the AL Gold Glove Award at third base. 

In 2014, Machado only managed to play in 82 games as his rise was derailed by two knee surgeries. Machado recently told The Associated Press (via ESPN.com) that he thinks he's back on track. "Right now, I feel like I'm ready to go come spring training. I'm ready to roll—finally have a spring training."

It's possible that Machado is spot-on in his assessment; however, for now, his injury history keeps him from climbing any higher in the rankings.

10. Marcell Ozuna, CF, Miami Marlins

Age: 24

Marcell Ozuna has an absolute cannon of an arm. Last season, Ozuna collected 10 outfield assists, which was tied for the second most in the NL. The 24-year-old can also cover all sorts of ground in the field, as you can see in the video above.

At the plate, the right-handed hitter provides the Miami Marlins with plenty of pop, as he connected on 23 home runs a season ago. 

9. Julio Teheran, SP, Atlanta Braves

John F. Rhodes/Associated Press

Age: 23

Julio Teheran is the most underrated pitcher in the NL. 

Back in 2013, his first full season with the Atlanta Braves, the right-handed starter recorded a 3.20 ERA in 30 outings. Last season, he was even better, posting a 2.89 ERA in 33 starts. That was a lower ERA than that of Bumgarner and Stephen Strasburg.

8. Starlin Castro, SS, Chicago Cubs

Age: 24

Starlin Castro has been around forever. 

Still just 24 years old, the shortstop has already played five seasons for the Chicago Cubs. After an underwhelming campaign in 2013, the right-handed hitter bounced back in a big way last year. Castro earned his third All-Star nod, as he set career highs in OPS (.777), slugging percentage (.438) and home runs (14). 

7. Anthony Rendon, 2B/3B, Washington Nationals

Alex Brandon/Associated Press

Age: 24

Anthony Rendon can do it all. In 2014, Rendon led the NL with 111 runs, connected on 21 home runs, stole 17 bases and played standout defense at third for the Washington Nationals. The 24-year-old ranked No. 4 in the NL among all third basemen in defensive runs saved, per Fangraphs. 

As a result of that excellent all-around season, the right-handed hitter ended up fifth on the NL MVP Award ballot. 

6. Jose Altuve, 2B, Houston Astros

Tony Gutierrez/Associated Press

Age: 24

Jose Altuve is on the rise. 

In 2014, the second baseman for the Houston Astros led baseball in hits (225) and batting average (.341), while topping the AL in steals (56). Per the MLB Stat of the Day Twitter account, Altuve became the first player since Ty Cobb in 1911 to have 225 hits, 47 doubles and 56 steals in a single season.

5. Salvador Perez, C, Kansas City Royals

Ed Zurga/Getty Images

Age: 24

Salvador Perez lands the No. 5 spot in the rankings thanks primarily to his glove.

The 24-year-old is the back-to-back AL Gold Glove Award winner at catcher, and the numbers back up those trophies. Last season, the Kansas City Royals backstop caught the most innings in the league, and he also saved the most runs in the AL, per Fangraphs. 

The Venezuelan has a strong bat, too. In parts of four seasons with the Royals, Perez is a career .285 hitter. In 2014, he clubbed 17 home runs, which is his best output yet. 

4. Bryce Harper, RF, Washington Nationals

Age: 22

It's easy to forget just how young Bryce Harper is. The outfielder has already played three seasons for the Washington Nationals, and he owns an .816 OPS during that run.

The No. 1 overall pick from the 2010 MLB draft has been historically good in the postseason. Last October, Harper became just the fourth player ever to hit four home runs in the playoffs before turning 22, per ESPN Stats & Info. The other three players in that club are Andruw Jones, Miguel Cabrera and Mickey Mantle.

3. Yasiel Puig, CF/RF, Los Angeles Dodgers

Age: 24

It doesn't get much better than listening to Vin Scully, the voice of the Los Angeles Dodgers, describe the play of Yasiel Puig. 

The Cuban uncorks throws that defy the laws of physics and is capable of making unreal catches in the outfield, as you can see in the video above. The 24-year-old right-handed hitter also provides all sorts of production at the plate. In two seasons with the Dodgers, Puig has posted a slash line of .305/.386/.502. 

2. Jose Fernandez, SP, Miami Marlins

Age: 22

Jose Fernandez is one of the most electric pitchers in the majors. 

The 22-year-old right-hander has only made 36 starts in parts of two seasons, but when he's been on the mound, he's been downright dominant. The winner of the NL Rookie of the Year Award in 2013, Fernandez recorded a 2.44 ERA and a 12.2 K/9 ratio in 2014 before Tommy John Surgery put an end to his season after just eight starts. 

Unfortunately, the Cuban won't throw another pitch for the Miami Marlins until June, according to Barry Jackson of The Miami Herald. 

1. Mike Trout, CF, Los Angeles Angels

Age: 23

Mike Trout isn't just the greatest player under 25. Last year, the center fielder for the Los Angeles Angels was the greatest position player in the big leagues. 

On his way to earning the 2014 AL MVP Award, Trout racked up 84 extra-base hits and posted a .939 OPS. Remarkably, that's actually the lowest OPS he's put up in three full seasons in the major leagues. 

Note: All stats courtesy of Baseball-Reference.com and MLB.com unless otherwise noted. All videos courtesy of MLB.com.

If you want to talk baseball, find me on Twitter @KarlBuscheck.