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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Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /

17. Kyle Schwarber

LF, Chicago Cubs

  • Birthday: March 5, 1993 (Age: 24)
  • Career Statistics: .247/.358/.485, 16 HR, 43 RBI, 52 R, 1.3 WAR
  • 2016 Statistics: .000/.200/.000, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 R, -0.1 WAR

His career statistics don’t come close to many of the players on this list, especially those in the top 20, but there’s no question that Kyle Schwarber has the ability to become one of the best hitters in baseball.

Schwarber shot through the minor leagues and made his major league debut in June 2015, roughly one calendar year after he was drafted fourth overall. The left-handed slugger launched 16 home runs, and showed a patient approach at the plate (and a 13.2 percent walk rate) that boosted his on-base percentage to .358.

He wasn’t perfect, of course: Schwarber strikes out a lot – 28.2 percent in his major league debut season – and he also struggles to hit left-handed pitching – he was 8-for-56 (.143) against southpaws. Nevertheless, he entered 2016 as one of the top prospects in baseball.

Unfortunately, a torn ACL suffered in the second game of the season cut Schwarber’s campaign short. He rehabbed well enough to return to action in the World Series, and hit .412/.500/.471 in 20 plate appearances across five games as a designated hitter and pinch hitter. Schwarber drove in two runs, scored two, and even stole a base.

Just 24 years old, and a newcomer to the outfield after shifting his primary focus from catching, Schwarber appears ready for his first full big league season.

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