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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Apr 3, 2017; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers second baseman Rougned Odor (12) celebrates in the dugout after hitting a home run against the Cleveland Indians during the second inning at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 3, 2017; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers second baseman Rougned Odor (12) celebrates in the dugout after hitting a home run against the Cleveland Indians during the second inning at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

10. Rougned Odor

2B, Texas Rangers

  • Birthday: February 3, 1994 (Age: 23)
  • Career Statistics: .265/.302/.464, 58 HR, 197 RBI, 182 R, 24 SB, 4.4 WAR
  • 2016 Statistics: .271/.296/.502, 33 HR, 88 RBI, 89 R, 14 SB, 2.4 WAR

Where did all that power come from? Rougned Odor shot through the Texas Rangers farm system, often playing as one of the youngest players in each league along the way, but the 5-foot-11, 195-pound second baseman hit just 34 minor league home runs in five years.

Odor made it to the big leagues as a 20-year old in 2014, and showed pop with 25 homers in his first 234 games from 2014-15, but few expected him to break through with 33 long balls as a 22-year old last season. He also drove in 88 runs, scored 89, and added 33 doubles, four triples and 14 stolen bases.

Odor is a free swinger, and walked in just 3.0 percent of his plate appearances last season. He also saw his strikeout percentage spike to 21.4 percent after posting a 16.8 percent K rate the previous season, 17 percent in 2014 and no higher than 16.7 percent at any stop in the minors. He’s also not a great defensive second baseman, though he does have a strong right hook, as Jose Bautista found out in 2016.

While the Rangers would probably like him to take a few more pitches, they probably don’t mind swapping a low walk rate for 30-plus dingers from their second baseman. He’s already off to a good start in 2017 after two Opening Day long balls.

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