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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Aug 18, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles third baseman Manny Machado (13) hits a three-run home run during the sixth inning against the Houston Astros at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 18, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles third baseman Manny Machado (13) hits a three-run home run during the sixth inning against the Houston Astros at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Manny Machado

3B, Baltimore Orioles

  • Birthday: July 6, 1992 (Age 24)
  • Career Statistics: .284/.333/.477, 105 HR, 311 RBI, 357 R, 24.4 WAR
  • 2016 Statistics: .294/.343/.533, 37 HR, 96 RBI, 105 R, 6.7 WAR
  • 3-time All-Star, 2-time Gold Glove

For years, there was a debate as to which young superstar was baseball’s best: Mike Trout or Bryce Harper. Now that Trout has firmly distanced himself as the best player on the planet, the new debate is whether Harper or Manny Machado is better.

Though Harper has the edge in career numbers, Machado had a stronger 2016 season and plays a more valuable position. Well, he actually plays two more valuable positions having filled in at shortstop for Baltimore in May and June last season (as well as for the Dominican Republic in the WBC). He also plays both quite well.

Machado has already developed into a very good major league hitter. While his strikeout rate (17.2 percent) and walk rate (6.9 percent) both moved in the wrong direction last year, neither indicates any major issues. Machado also has speed, and stole 20 bases in 2015, but decided to stop running in 2016 after being caught in his first three attempts.

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Nevertheless, Machado set career highs in home runs (37), RBI (96), batting average (.294) and slugging percentage (.533) in 2016, and finished in the top five of the AL MVP vote for the second straight season. He played more than 150 games and posted a better than 6.0 WAR for the third time in four seasons. That consistency makes him the best big league player under 25.

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