Justin Upton and the Eight Best Players to Build a Team Around

Of course, a team hopes that any drafted player will end up leading it to the World Series.

The team prays that a first- or second-round draft pick will one day single-handedly carry the team on his back in the postseason.

In the near future, these players will have to step up to the plate and deliver for their respective teams.

On this list, you may expect to find guys like Albert Pujols, Ryan Braun, and Miguel Cabrera. You can build teams around these players, but none of the players on this list were born before 1984. My list of eight players to build a team around intentionally omits older players.

Instead, I have focused on eight young players who are elite but are likely to grow even more valuable with time. 

Honorable Mentions

Jason Heyward, Troy Tulowitizki

8. Dustin Ackely, Seattle Mariners, 2B, Age 23

There aren’t too many things Mariners fans can look forward to in the coming years, but Ackely is one of them.

In his rookie campaign, Ackley is batting .311 with five home runs, 23 RBI, and a .373 OBP. And he has those great numbers in a pitchers’ park, with no one to protect him in the order.

Look for Ackley to be one of the premier second basemen in years to come.

7. Freddie Freeman, Atlanta Braves, 1B, Age 21

There is a crop of good first basemen, but Freeman has the biggest upside of all of them.

This 6’5” athletic specimen is a force to be reckoned with. In his first full year in the majors, Freeman has 15 home runs and 52 RBI while batting .296 with a .364 OBP.

Freeman is having a great rookie season as he is close to or leading his team in almost every major hitting category. He is first in hits, first in doubles, third in home runs, second in RBI, and second in walks.

There is no doubt that Freeman will improve on his already impressive numbers.

6. Carlos Gonzalez, Colorado Rockies, LF, Age 25

He’s fast, has power, hits for a great average, and is a decent fielder. What’s not to like about Gonzalez?

Gonzalez is that player who can do everything for you in one game both in the field and at-bat.

Last year, Gonzalez had an MVP-caliber performance, finishing first in the league in average, fourth in home runs, and second in RBI.

It is very hard to get Gonzalez out.

5. Mike Stanton, Florida Marlins, RF, Age 21

Stanton is a threat to go deep every single time he steps to the plate, which makes him so scary.

This year, Stanton already has 25 home runs and 67 RBI. He needs to improve his average and his high strikeout numbers, but that will happen over time.

In addition, Stanton’s outfield arm can get even the speediest runner out.

4. Andrew McCutchen, Pittsburgh Pirates, CF, Age 24

One of the most underrated players in baseball and like most others on this list, McCutchen can do it all.

He is one of the fastest players in baseball, hits for power, and is a great fielder.

With his speed it is baffling why McCutchen hasn’t stolen more bases. He only has 16 this year, which isn’t bad, but he could do better.

3. Starlin Castro, Chicago Cubs, SS, Age 21

If it weren’t for Jose Reyes, Castro would be the best shortstop in the National League.

It also helps that Castro is seven years younger than Reyes.

To find a good young shortstop is rare, but Castro is not just a quality player.

He is going to be great.

This year, Castro is second among shortstops in batting average, sixth in on-base percentage, sixth in steals, third in RBI, second in triples, tied for first in doubles, second in hits, and third in runs.

2. Matt Kemp, Los Angeles Dodgers, CF, Age 26

Kemp is the oldest on the list, but at 26 he has time to better his current monstrous stats.

Before the year started, a lot of people had Kemp breaking out and reaching his potential, and they weren’t wrong.

Not that Kemp’s previous seasons were bad, but this year he is on a whole different level, making him one of the favorites to win the National League MVP.

There are no—and I mean no—flaws in his game. He has stolen 28 bases and only been caught stealing three times. He is batting .319 with 26 home runs, 83 RBI, 66 runs, 125 hits, and a .395 OBP.

When he is already having a year like this, it’s hard to imagine that he can improve much. But who knows?

1. Justin Upton, Arizona Diamondbacks, RF, Age 23

Upton is number one on the list due to his potential. If Kemp weren’t three years older than Upton, he would number one. But it definitely woudn’t hurt to have either on your team.

Upton can hit the ball farther than anyone in baseball and is your prototypical five-tool player.

He is what every coach dreams about: He doesn’t start arguments, hits for average, is fast, fields his position well, and has tremendous power.

One of the main reasons the Diamondbacks have a chance to make the playoffs this year is Upton’s production.

He is going to a big producer in the majors for a long time.