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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Mar 25, 2017; Fort Myers, FL, USA; Boston Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts (2) throws over to first base during a spring training game against the Philadelphia Phillies at JetBlue Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 25, 2017; Fort Myers, FL, USA; Boston Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts (2) throws over to first base during a spring training game against the Philadelphia Phillies at JetBlue Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

9. Xander Bogaerts

IF, Boston Red Sox

  • Birthday: October 1, 1992 (Age: 24)
  • Career Statistics: .286/.337/.411, 41 HR, 221 RBI, 266 R, 26 SB, 8.9 WAR
  • 2016 Statistics: .294/.356/.446, 21 HR, 89 RBI, 115 R, 13 SB, 3.7 WAR
  • 2106 All-Star, 2-time Silver Slugger

Because he made his major league debut way back in 2013, it’s hard to believe that Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts is still just 24 years old. And while it took him a little while to find his footing offensively – Bogaerts hit .241/.299/.363 with 13 home runs, 51 RBI and 151 strikeouts through his first 162 career big league games – he has blossomed into one of the game’s top offensive shortstops over the last two seasons.

In 2015, Bogaerts earned his first Silver Slugger Award while hitting .320/.355/.421 with 35 doubles and seven homers with 81 RBI and 84 runs scored. Last year, he was an All-Star for the first time, and showed increased power with a career high 21 longs balls, as well as career bests with 89 RBI, 115 runs scored and 13 stolen bases. He has struck out more than 100 times three years running, but showed better patience at the plate last year by raising his walk percentage from 4.9 percent to 8.1.

A native of Aruba, Bogaerts competed in the World Baseball Classic for the Kingdom of the Netherlands. In seven games, playing third base because Andrelton Simmons was also on the squad, Bogaerts had two hits, scored five runs and drove in two in seven games for the surprising semifinalist from the most recent tournament.

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