Creating a 25-Man Roster of MLB's Top Under-25 Stars

It's downright difficult to crack a spot on this squad.

Simply put, there are way too many options and way too few openings on the 25-man roster of MLB's top under-25 stars.

As the title of the team indicates, only big leaguers who have yet to turn 25 are eligible for inclusion. What's more, prospects weren't considered for the roster, because a player can't be a star before he actually steps on a major league diamond.

In the selection process, there were two primary factors taken into consideration:

• 2015 performance
• A given player's broader track record

The idea of this exercise was to build a roster that could actually play a game. As a result, players with the versatility to line up at multiple positions had a much better chance of landing a bench gig. The team is set up to play in the American League because including a designated hitter in the mix allows for another deserving bat to join the lineup.

As is the case with the construction of any roster, creative maneuvering was required. Nowhere was that truer than when it came to finding a first baseman.

Infielders/Catchers

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Just Missed the Cut

• Jake Lamb, 3B, Arizona Diamondbacks
• Manny Machado, 3B, Baltimore Orioles
• Joe Panik, 2B, San Francisco Giants
• Danny Santana, SS, Minnesota Twins
• Marcus Semien, SS, Oakland Athletics

There's no question about it—Manny Machado was the most difficult player to cut from this list. The 22-year-old is a magician with the glove, but unfortunately third base is stacked with big-time stars.

On the Squad (8)

• Nolan Arenado, 3B, Colorado Rockies
• Xander Bogaerts, SS, Boston Red Sox
• Kris Bryant, INF, Chicago Cubs
• Salvador Perez, C, Kansas City Royals
• Addison Russell, INF, Chicago Cubs
• Devon Travis, 2B, Toronto Blue Jays
• Kolten Wong, 2B, St. Louis Cardinals
• Mike Zunino, C, Seattle Mariners

This group is stocked with high-upside young players, and as a result, the competition for starting spots is fierce.

The Starting Infield

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Catcher: Salvador Perez

• A two-time All-Star and Gold Glove winner, Salvador Perez is the easy pick here. The backstop narrowly makes the age cutoff, as he's set to turn 25 on May 10.

First Base: Kris Bryant

• Kris Bryant is not a first baseman. But on this team, the Chicago Cubs third baseman shifts across the diamond. First base proved to be a difficult spot to find a starter, as Max Muncy of the Oakland Athletics is the only under-25 player who has logged time at the position. Having played at third and in the outfield for the Cubs, Bryant definitely has the athleticism to handle this defensive switch.

Second Base: Kolten Wong

• Kolten Wong, the owner of a .330 average and an .837 OPS, edges rookie phenom Devon Travis for this role. Even though he misses out on the nod at second, Travis still finds his way into the lineup thanks to a little creativity.

Shortstop: Addison Russell

• The 21-year-old Addison Russell has been racking up extra-base hits since arriving at Wrigley Field. In 13 games, Russell has clubbed six doubles and two home runs. That's crazy power for a middle infielder. With the Cubs, the presence of Starlin Castro at short leaves Russell to play second base. On this team, Russell leaves Xander Bogaerts on the bench.

Third Base: Nolan Arenado

• Paul Goldschmidt summed up Nolan Arenado's skill set perfectly: "He really does everything really well," the Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman explained, via Benjamin Hochman of The Denver Post. That's a spot-on assessment. Arenado won the Gold Glove in each of his first two seasons and piled up 34 doubles and 18 bombs in just 111 games in 2014.

Designated Hitter: Devon Travis

• Travis has just been too good not to be included in this lineup. The 24-year-old has already connected on seven home runs while posting a .940 OPS for the Toronto Blue Jays.

Outfielders

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Just Missed the Cut

• Mookie Betts, CF, Boston Red Sox
• Avisail Garcia, RF, Chicago White Sox
• Anthony Gose, CF, Detroit Tigers
• Billy Hamilton, CF, Cincinnati Reds
• Odubel Herrera, CF, Philadelphia Phillies
• Ender Inciarte, OF, Arizona Diamondbacks
• Jorge Soler, OF, Chicago Cubs

There were plenty of challenging cuts to be made here. The most difficult of all was leaving Avisail Garcia out of the mix. With a .322 average, the right fielder has been on a tear for the Chicago White Sox in 2015. However, the fact that he's a right-handed hitter played against him. Placing the left-handed-swinging Gregory Polanco on the squad helps to create a better left-right balance on the roster.

On the Squad (5+1)

• Bryce Harper, RF, Washington Nationals
• Marcell Ozuna, OF, Miami Marlins
• Joc Pederson, OF, Los Angeles Dodgers
• Yasiel Puig, RF, Los Angeles Dodgers (15-Day Disabled List)
• Gregory Polanco, RF, Pittsburgh Pirates
• Mike Trout, CF, Los Angeles Angels

This outfield contingent is absurdly talented.

Amidst this group of stars, first-year player Joc Pederson, who has already collected nine home runs, is worth a mention. Earlier this season, the center fielder went yard in four consecutive games, which made him the first Los Angeles Dodgers rookie to accomplish that feat since Bill Sudakis in 1969, per Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times.

Pederson's teammate Yasiel Puig also makes the roster, but the Cuban doesn't count against the 25-man limit because he is currently on the disabled list with a strained hamstring.

The Starting Outfield

Marcio Jose Sanchez/Associated Press

Left Field: Joc Pederson

• Joc Pederson is the winner of this ridiculously competitive derby for the left field job. Marcell Ozuna and Gregory Polanco were also in the mix, but it's Pederson's early-season power surge that earns him the role. Plus, it doesn't hurt that his lefty bat balances out a lineup that leans heavily to the right side.

Center Field: Mike Trout

• This is as easy as it gets. The Los Angeles Angels center fielder and 2014 AL MVP does it all. He hits home runs (seven), robs home runs and steals bases (six).

Right Field: Bryce Harper

• With Yasiel Puig temporarily out of the mix, the starting nod goes to Bryce Harper. The right fielder's power with both his arm and his bat is impressive. Harper has three outfield assists this season, and on May 6 he became the first 22-year-old since 1969 to go yard three times in a single contest, per ESPN Stats & Info. His drastically improved approach at the plate is also impressive. As May rolls along, Harper leads the majors with 26 walks.

The Starting Lineup

Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

1. Kolten Wong, 2B
2. Addison Russell, SS
3. Bryce Harper, RF
4. Mike Trout, CF
5. Kris Bryant, 1B
6. Devon Travis, DH
7. Joc Pederson, LF
8. Salvador Perez, C
9. Nolan Arenado, 3B

Starting Pitchers

Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

Just Missed the Cut

• Trevor Bauer, RHP, Cleveland Indians
• Tyler Matzek, LHP, Colorado Rockies
• Yordano Ventura, RHP, Kansas City Royals

Unfortunately, this rotation has to do without a lefty. Tyler Matzek was the southpaw who merited the most serious consideration, but he hasn't been consistent enough to justify a spot. In his five starts, Matzek has pitched six innings on only one occasion.

On the Squad (5+1)

• Archie Bradley, RHP, Arizona Diamondbacks (15-Day DL)
• Gerrit Cole, RHP, Pittsburgh Pirates
• Nick Martinez, RHP, Texas Rangers
• Shelby Miller, RHP, Atlanta Braves
• Julio Teheran, RHP, Atlanta Braves
• Michael Wacha, RHP, St. Louis Cardinals

With Archie Bradley on the DL after taking a line drive to the face, one extra spot opened up in the rotation. Per Arizona Sports, the right-hander is expected to return to the mound quickly. When he does, he'll definitely move right into this rotation. In his first four big league starts, Bradley produced a 1.80 ERA and limited the opposition to a .138 average.

The Starting Rotation

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No. 1 Starter: Gerrit Cole, RHP

• It's been an electric start to the season for Gerrit Cole. The 24-year-old right-hander secured the National League Pitcher of the Month Award for April and also earned some high praise from his skipper Clint Hurdle: "He wants to be a master craftsman out on the mound, and that's what he has been," said the manager, via Tom Singer of MLB.com. The numbers back up that assessment, as Cole has posted a 2.27 ERA in his first six outings.

No. 2 Starter: Michael Wacha, RHP

• After an injury-riddled 2014, Michael Wacha has been healthy and filthy in the opening month of the current season. In four of his first five outings, the righty has allowed one earned run or less.

No. 3 Starter: Julio Teheran, RHP

• Julio Teheran doesn't generate a lot of headlines, but the Colombian flat-out gets results. At 24 years old, the starter is pitching in his third full season for the Atlanta Braves and will be angling to make a second consecutive All-Star appearance.

No. 4 Starter: Nick Martinez, RHP

• Nick Martinez has pitched too well to be left out of this rotation. The 24-year-old right-hander has allowed just three earned runs in his first five outings for the Texas Rangers. As a result, the second-year starter is sporting a 0.84 ERA.

No. 5 Starter: Shelby Miller

• The 24-year-old Shelby Miller has been dealing since he arrived at Turner Field following a winter trade from the St. Louis Cardinals. Miller has ripped off a 1.66 ERA in his first six outings with the Atlanta Braves. His best work yet came on his most recent trip to the mound when he spun a three-hit shutout against the Philadelphia Phillies on May 5.

Relievers

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Just Missed the Cut

• Alex Claudio, LHP, Texas Rangers
• Kevin Gausman, RHP, Baltimore Orioles
• Dominic Leone, RHP, Seattle Mariners
• Angel Nesbitt, RHP, Detroit Tigers

Kevin Gausman is the most high-profile pitcher to miss out on a spot in the bullpen. The 24-year-old has yet to find his stride as a reliever, as he's posted a 4.50 ERA while pitching out of the pen for the Baltimore Orioles in 2015.

On the Squad (7)

• Yimi Garcia, RHP, Los Angeles Dodgers
• Ken Giles, RHP, Philadelphia Phillies
• Keone Kela, RHP, Texas Rangers
• Carlos Martinez, RHP, St. Louis Cardinals
• Roberto Osuna, RHP, Toronto Blue Jays
• Paco Rodriguez, LHP, Los Angeles Dodgers
• Chasen Shreve, LHP, New York Yankees

On this squad, Carlos Martinez finds himself back in a familiar role: the bullpen. The Dominican right-hander wasn't able to claim a starting spot on the under-25 team, but his extensive experience relieving for the St. Louis Cardinals makes him a strong addition to this relief corps.

The Bullpen

Alan Diaz/Associated Press

Closer: Ken Giles

• With Jonathan Papelbon locking up the ninth inning at Citizens Bank Park, Ken Giles has to settle for a setup gig with he Philadelphia Phillies. In this pen, he's the stopper. The 24-year-old right-hander, who owns a career 1.09 ERA and a 11.9 K/9 ratio, has all the makings of a big-time closer.

Right-Handed Setup Man: Yimi Garcia

• Armed with a nasty slider, Yimi Garcia hasn't given up an earned run since April 7. That stretch spans 11 outings for the 24-year-old Dominican, who has been lights-out in the eighth for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Left-Handed Setup Man: Paco Rodriguez

• Another bullpen spot and another Dodger. Like Garcia, Paco Rodriguez has been carving up the NL in 2015. The lefty has held the opposition to a .130 average in his first 12 outings.

Right-Handed Middle Relievers: Roberto Osuna and Keone Kela

• The 20-year-old Roberto Osuna has skipped from High-A to the bigs. In 2014, the Mexican right-hander pitched for the Toronto Blue Jays' Florida State League affiliate. Now, with a 1.17 ERA, he's a key cog in the major league pen. Keone Kela has also made a rapid rise to the majors. After splitting the 2014 season between High-A and Double-A, the 22-year-old is now reeling off quality relief outings at Globe Life Park.

Left-Handed Middle Reliever: Chasen Shreve

• Acquired in an offseason swap with the Atlanta Braves, Chasen Shreve is looking like a savvy addition for the New York Yankees. In his first 10 outings in the AL East, the left-hander has posted a 2.61 ERA.

Long Reliever: Carlos Martinez

• For the St. Louis Cardinals, Carlos Martinez is finally getting the chance to start on a consistent basis. On the under-25 team, he's the safety net. If the starter runs into trouble early, Martinez is the first man up to help stop the situation from spiraling out of control.

The 25-Man Roster

Denis Poroy/Getty Images

Position Players (13+1)

• Nolan Arenado, $512,500
• Xander Bogaerts, $543,000
• Kris Bryant, $507,500
• Bryce Harper, $2.5 million
• Marcell Ozuna, $545,000
• Joe Pederson, $510,000
• Salvador Perez, $1.75 million
• Gregory Polanco, $525,000
• Yasiel Puig (DL), $6.214 million
• Addison Russell, $460,355
• Devon Travis, $507,500
• Mike Trout, $6.08 million
• Kolten Wong, $520,000
• Mike Zunino, $523,500

Pitchers (12+1)

• Archie Bradley (DL), $507,500
• Gerrit Cole, $531,000
• Yimi Garcia, $510,000
• Ken Giles, $519,000
• Keone Kela, $507,500
• Carlos Martinez, $520,000
• Nick Martinez, $515,000
• Shelby Miller, $535,000
• Roberto Osuna, $507,500
• Paco Rodriguez, $522,500
• Chasen Shreve, $479,602
• Julio Teheran, $1.16 million
• Michael Wacha, $520,000 

Not only is this team highly talented, but it's also economical. The 27 players (two on the DL) on the roster make a combined total of just over $29 million. Puig and Trout are by far the top earners, checking in with salaries just north of $6 million.

Note: All stats courtesy of Baseball-Reference and MLB.com. Video courtesy of MLB.com. All salary information courtesy of Spotrac.

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