Ranking MLB Teams with the Best Young Cores Right Now
There is no universal strategy for racking up wins in Major League Baseball, but in recent years the conventional wisdom has been that it helps to have as much young talent as possible.
So, we took it on ourselves to rank which 10 teams have the best young cores right now.
And by "right now," we do mean right now. We only considered players who've actually played in the majors this season and who are still on either the 26-man or 40-man rosters or the injured list.
We also set the age cutoff at 25, with a further stipulation that players be that age or younger for all or most of the 2021 season. As in, no 26th birthdays before June 30.
The more of those players a team has, the better. But since quality matters at least as much as quantity in this case, we also weighed how much Baseball Reference WAR (rWAR) teams have already gotten from their 25-and-under players and how much more the ZiPS projection system expects them to produce throughout the remainder of 2021.
Even then, we considered those numbers to be non-binding because of their potential to be too high on one player or too low on another. Which is to say that there's also a subjective element to these rankings.
Let's start with some honorable mentions and then count 'em down.
Honorable Mentions
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Minnesota Twins
Infielder Luis Arraez is a .324 career hitter who's starting to draw walks, and outfielder Alex Kirilloff is a top-25 prospect. Also, catcher Ryan Jeffers had a solid breakthrough in 2020. It's not much, but this is actually more young talent than a lot of teams have.
Seattle Mariners
Kyle Lewis is the reigning American League Rookie of the Year, and around him are other talented players such as fellow outfielder Taylor Trammell, first baseman Evan White and left-hander Justus Sheffield. But at least for now, Seattle's young core is more potential than actual production.
Washington Nationals
They do have Juan Soto, who is entrenched as one of the best young hitters of all time. But unless center fielder Victor Robles can add some offense to go with his defense, that's all they have.
10. Houston Astros
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26-Man Roster: RF Kyle Tucker (24), DH Yordan Alvarez (24), RHP Cristian Javier (24), RHP Luis Garcia (24), RHP Bryan Abreu (24), RHP Brandon Bielak (25)
40-Man Roster: INF Abraham Toro (24), RHP Nivaldo Rodriguez (24), RHP Peter Solomon (24)
Injured List: LHP Blake Taylor (25), RHP Enoli Paredes (25)
WAR Projection: 9.1
For a team that's been in contention for seven years, the Houston Astros indeed still have their share of young talent.
Granted, buying into that idea requires having faith in Kyle Tucker in spite of his .597 OPS. But on the bright side, the 2020 breakout star has had his power working this year to the tune of five home runs.
Meanwhile, 2019 AL Rookie of the Year Yordan Alvarez is back from knee injuries that limited him to two games in 2020. He's hitting .309/.355/.529 even though his power isn't all the way back, so watch out.
Despite a detour to Houston's alternate site, Cristian Javier is continuing his rise as one of the franchise's top hurlers. He boasts a 2.76 ERA through 75 regular-season innings, mainly with a help of a slider that's limited opposing hitters to an .068 average.
If anyone's going to add further star power to this young core, it might be Abraham Toro. He's yet to break through in the majors, yet he had a .324/.411/.527 line in the minors as recently as 2019.
9. Toronto Blue Jays
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26-Man Roster: 1B Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (22), SS Bo Bichette (23), C Alejandro Kirk (22), RHP Ty Tice (24)
40-Man Roster: OF Josh Palacios (25)
Injured List: RHP T.J. Zeuch (25)
WAR Projection: 8.1
Because both are over the age-26 threshold, third baseman Cavan Biggio and designated hitter Rowdy Tellez didn't qualify for the Toronto Blue Jays' young core. They also haven't yet recalled fireballing right-hander Nate Pearson, who's our No. 20 prospect.
But in Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette, at least two standouts occupy Toronto's young core.
Though he fell short of expectations in 2019 and 2020 after arriving as baseball's undisputed No. 1 prospect, Guerrero still put up an above-average 109 OPS+. He's firing on all cylinders, as his 2021 season features a superb .360/.484/.693 line and seven home runs, plus several elite peripheral stats.
As for Bichette, he indeed swings too much and can be erratic at shortstop. But in just 97 games as a major leaguer, he's cemented himself as a dynamic offensive talent by way of 21 home runs and 11 stolen bases.
We'll also put in a good word for Alejandro Kirk. He's struggling, but it wasn't long ago that he was a .315/.418/.500 hitter in the minors.
8. Boston Red Sox
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26-Man Roster: 3B Rafael Devers (24), CF Alex Verdugo (25), RHP Garrett Whitlock (25), LHP Darwinzon Hernandez (24)
40-Man Roster: RHP Tanner Houck (25), INF Michael Chavis (25), RHP Eduard Bazardo (25)
WAR Projection: 9.1
Bobby Dalbec will turn 26 on June 29, though it's probably just as well for the Boston Red Sox that this disqualified him from consideration. Though allegedly a slugger, he's gone deep just once in 2021.
On the plus side, Rafael Devers is back to pounding baseballs.
In 2019, he generated more hard-hit balls than anyone as he compiled an MLB-high 359 total bases. In 2021, he's tallied 10 extra-base hits (including six home runs) with a hard-hit rate that's even higher than it was two years ago.
Boston's offense has yet another budding star in the person of Alex Verdugo. He's hitting over .300 for the second year in a row, with a much-improved hard-hit rate.
By striking out 14 batters and allowing no runs in 11.1 innings, Garrett Whitlock has positioned himself as a secret weapon in the Red Sox's bullpen. And because he's whiffed 33 batters in 27.1 major league innings since last year, it shouldn't be long before Tanner Houck also has a steady gig.
7. Cleveland
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26-Man Roster: DH Franmil Reyes (25), SS Andres Gimenez (22), RHP James Karinchak (25), RHP Emmanuel Clase (23), RHP Triston McKenzie (23), RHP Trevor Stephan (25), RF Josh Naylor (24), LHP Logan Allen (24), 1B Jake Bauers (25), LHP Sam Hentges (24), INF Yu Chang (25)
WAR Projection: 5.8
If you're wondering about reigning American League Cy Young Award winner Shane Bieber, both he (May 31) and fellow starter Aaron Civale (June 12) are due to turn 26 soon.
Yet even without those, Cleveland's young core is plenty deep and marked by intriguing talent.
Franmil Reyes is already living up to his reputation as a feared slugger with seven home runs, plus four doubles and two triples. And while Cleveland isn't getting much out of Andres Gimenez and Amed Rosario at the plate, both are liable to showcase strong athleticism on defense.
Despite some early control issues, Triston McKenzie has shown off his live arm by striking out 23 of the 74 batters he's faced. And between the two of them, Emmanuel Clase and James Karinchak have yet to allow an earned run while whiffing 32 of 77 batters faced in relief.
So even if it's fair to say that Cleveland's young core is more quantity than quality, what quality there is should not be underestimated.
6. St. Louis Cardinals
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26-Man Roster: RHP Jack Flaherty (25), CF Dylan Carlson (22), LHP Genesis Cabrera (24), RHP Jordan Hicks (24), INF Edmundo Sosa (25), OF Justin Williams (25), OF Scott Hurst (25)
40-Man Roster: OF Lane Thomas (25), RHP Johan Oviedo (23), RHP Jake Woodford (24)
WAR Projection: 5.8
Even though he's 25 years old, Gold Glove-winning left fielder Tyler O'Neill isn't featured because he'll be 26 for most of 2021 after his birthday on June 22.
But even with him out of the picture, the St. Louis Cardinals still have some exciting young players.
Offensively, Dylan Carlson is making good on the hype after beginning the year as our No. 14 prospect. Since homering on Opening Day, he's put together a rock-solid .303/.393/.526 slash line with nine extra-base hits.
Meanwhile on the mound, Jack Flaherty is recovering from a reality check in 2020 with a 3.18 ERA through five starts this year. Genesis Cabrera has struck out 12 batters in 10.1 innings, while fellow pen pal Jordan Hicks is once again lighting up the radar gun in his return from Tommy John surgery.
Also, don't rule out Justin Williams as a potential contributor. He may only have a .592 OPS, but both his exit velocity and his hard-hit rate are in well-above-average territory.
5. Miami Marlins
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26-Man Roster: 2B Jazz Chisholm Jr. (23), RHP Pablo Lopez (25), LHP Trevor Rogers (23), RHP Sandy Alcantara (25), RHP Paul Campbell (25), RHP Jordan Holloway (25), RHP Zach Pop (24), OF Magneuris Sierra (25), INF Jose Devers (21)
40-Man Roster: RHP Nick Neidert (24)
WAR Projection: 5.1
After watching him dazzle with a fastball that climbed as high as 101 mph in 2020, pretty much everyone was excited for Sixto Sanchez's encore with the Miami Marlins in 2021.
Alas, the young right-hander developed shoulder inflammation during spring training and has yet to rejoin the Marlins.
It's a good thing, then, that they have Sandy Alcantara, Trevor Rogers and Pablo Lopez to carry their starting rotation. The three of them have made 15 combined starts and put out a sterling 2.53 ERA with 102 strikeouts over 85.1 innings.
Yet the most exciting player in Miami is rookie second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. His blast off Jacob deGrom on April 10 underscores results that include a .926 OPS and nine extra-base hits, and he's likewise standing out for his sprint speed and defense.
Whether any of the other youngsters among Miami's inventory have star potential is a fair question. But as it is, three aces and a dynamic infielder is a heck of a foundation.
4. Los Angeles Dodgers
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26-Man Roster: RHP Dustin May (24), LHP Julio Urias (23), 2B Gavin Lux (23), RHP Brusdar Graterol (22), RHP Dennis Santana (25), OF DJ Peters (25)
Injured List: CF Cody Bellinger (25), LHP Victor Gonzalez (25)
WAR Projection: 11.4
Though it helps to be able to afford guys like Mookie Betts and Trevor Bauer, the Los Angeles Dodgers are the reigning World Series champions largely because they've also cultivated young talent.
Though he's sidelined with a broken leg, Cody Bellinger is perhaps the best player the Dodgers have developed in recent years. He was the National League Rookie of the Year in 2017 and the MVP in 2019, and it was he who hit the home run that put last year's Dodgers in the World Series.
In the meantime, the Dodgers can take pleasure in the pitching stylings of Dustin May and Julio Urias. Through nine starts, they've flashed nasty stuff to tally a 2.94 ERA with 64 strikeouts in 52 innings.
Otherwise, Gavin Lux was Baseball America's Minor League Player of the Year in 2019 but has yet to find his footing in the majors. Victor Gonzalez is a relief specialist, while Brusdar Graterol and Dennis Santana rate as two of the Dodgers' lesser relievers.
This is to say that the above projection is perhaps too kind to the Dodgers. But with at least three star-caliber young players, their core is nonetheless in good shape.
3. San Diego Padres
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26-Man Roster: SS Fernando Tatis Jr. (22), CF Trent Grisham (24), RHP Chris Paddack (25), LHP Ryan Weathers (21), C Luis Campusano (22), INF/OF Ha Seong Kim (25)
40-Man Roster: INF/OF Tucupita Marcano (21)
WAR Projection: 11.6
Even if Fernando Tatis Jr. was the only young player the San Diego Padres had, they would still arguably deserve a place in this top 10.
All he's done in 159 games since 2019 is put up a .296/.370/.586 slash line with 46 home runs, 31 stolen bases and 7.6 rWAR. Health permitting, that track could eventually take him all the way to the Hall of Fame.
Even if he isn't as conspicuous as Tatis, Trent Grisham is a Gold Glove-winning center fielder whose offensive results in 74 games with San Diego include a 131 OPS+, 14 home runs and 15 stolen bases.
Sans left-hander Adrian Morejon—who underwent Tommy John surgery on April 20—it's unclear whether the Padres have any other potential stars in their young core. But if Ha Seong Kim can generate the kind of magic that made him a superstar in Korea, there will be at least one.
It would likewise be unwise to downplay Chris Paddack or Ryan Weathers, both of whom are former top-100 prospects, or Luis Campusano, who entered 2021 as our No. 32 talent.
2. Atlanta
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26-Man Roster: RF Ronald Acuna Jr. (23), 2B Ozzie Albies (24), 3B Austin Riley (24), C Alex Jackson (25), RHP Ian Anderson (22), RHP Huascar Ynoa (23), RHP Bryse Wilson (23)
40-Man Roster: CF Cristian Pache (22), RHP Kyle Wright (25)
WAR Projection: 16.0
If you're wondering about 23-year-old righty Mike Soroka, it's hard to count him among Atlanta's current young core while he's still working his way back from a torn Achilles tendon and shoulder trouble.
But, hey, at least Atlanta has the unstoppable force known as Ronald Acuna Jr. The 2018 NL Rookie of the Year is making an early case for the NL MVP by hitting .355/.457/.776 with eight home runs and elite peripherals pretty much across the board.
On the other side of the ball, Ian Anderson has only had one bad start after breaking out in 2020. He's pitched to a 2.20 ERA with72 strikeouts in 61.1 regular-season innings.
Such things help explain Atlanta's huge WAR projection, but it otherwise hinges on whether Ozzie Albies rediscovers his All-Star form and whether Bryse Wilson finds some semblance of consistency. The latter isn't as good a bet as the former.
Yet keep an eye on Austin Riley, a slugger who's making steady strides with his approach. Also keep one on Cristian Pache, whose speed was merely one thing that made him our No. 12 prospect on Opening Day.
1. Chicago White Sox
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26-Man Roster: 2B Nick Madrigal (24), RHP Dylan Cease (25), RHP Michael Kopech (25), RHP Codi Heuer (24), LHP Garrett Crochet (22)
40-Man Roster: RHP Jonathan Stiever (24)
Injured List: CF Luis Robert (23)
WAR Projection: 9.8
Notably absent from this picture is slugger Eloy Jimenez, who's out for the foreseeable future with a pectoral injury, and third baseman Yoan Moncada, who turns 26 on May 27.
As far as who is here for the Chicago White Sox, Luis Robert was perhaps their best player before landing on the injured list with flu-like symptoms on Tuesday.
After winning a Gold Glove in 2020, Robert came into 2021 needing to establish some offensive consistency after a September slump derailed his bid for the AL Rookie of the Year last season. So far, so good, as he's hitting .305 with the help of a lowered strikeout rate.
Speaking of strikeouts, Nick Madrigal only has 10 of those in a 49-game major league sample that's yielded a .320 average. For their part, righties Dylan Cease and Michael Kopech have combined to whiff 47 batters in 33 innings.
Also throwing darts are Codi Heuer and Garrett Crochet, who are largely responsible for the bullpen's MLB-leading 95.3 mph average fastball velocity. As such, every one of Chicago's key youngsters brings something to the party.
Stats courtesy of Baseball Reference, FanGraphs and Baseball Savant.
