Fansided

Top 25 MLB players under 25

By Nicholas Ian Allen

Sep 24, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Washington Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper (34) at bat against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 24, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Washington Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper (34) at bat against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 18, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher Roberto Osuna (54) celebrates after beating the Cleveland Indians in game four of the 2016 ALCS playoff baseball series at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 18, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher Roberto Osuna (54) celebrates after beating the Cleveland Indians in game four of the 2016 ALCS playoff baseball series at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports /

15. Roberto Osuna

CP, Toronto Blue Jays

  • Birthday: February 7, 1985 (Age: 22)
  • Career Statistics: 5-9, 2.63 ERA, 143.7 IP, 56 SV, 157 K, 0.926 WHIP, 3.8 WAR
  • 2016 Statistics: 4-3, 2.68 ERA, 74.0 IP, 36 SV, 82 K, 0.932 WHIP, 2.1 WAR

Roberto Osuna may not be as electric as Diaz in raw terms, but he is younger and more experienced, and has been just as dominant since making his major league debut in 2015. Also, while Diaz jumped from Double-A to the big leagues, Osuna skipped Double-A altogether and opened the ’15 season on the Blue Jays Opening Day roster.

Osuna is a little bit different than Diaz, and most closers, because he has a four-pitch arsenal that includes the traditional fastball and slider, but also a cutter and changeup. He has high 90s heat, but doesn’t blow hitters away at the same rate. Through two seasons, Osuna has a 28.1 percent strikeout rate – still very good, but not off the charts for a closer.

What sets Osuna apart is his disdain for base runners. Osuna has walked just 30 hitters in his career (5.4 percent), and has surrendered only 103 hits, giving him a .184 on-base percentage and a 0.926 career WHIP. For comparison’s sake, Mariano Rivera posted a 1.000 career WHIP

Unfortunately, Osuna began the 2017 season on the disabled list with cervical spasms, which affected his velocity during Grapefruit League games after he returned to spring training after Team Mexico was ousted from the World Baseball Classic. It’s too early to tell if the neck issue will be a lingering issue, but there’s been little to suggest it will keep him from the mound longer than a couple of weeks.

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