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MLB Power Rankings: Top 25 players under 25

By Joshua Sadlock

WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 26: Bryce Harper #34 of the Washington Nationals bats against the Chicago Cubs at Nationals Park on June 26, 2017 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 26: Bryce Harper #34 of the Washington Nationals bats against the Chicago Cubs at Nationals Park on June 26, 2017 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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BOSTON, MA – JUNE 29: Mookie Betts #50 of the Boston Red Sox rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run in the fourth inning of a game against the Minnesota Twins at Fenway Park on June 29, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – JUNE 29: Mookie Betts #50 of the Boston Red Sox rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run in the fourth inning of a game against the Minnesota Twins at Fenway Park on June 29, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images) /

7. Mookie Betts

Standing just 5-foot-9 and barely weighing more than 180 pounds, Mookie Betts is somehow one of the most powerful hitters in the big leagues. Thanks to his lightning-quick wrists and bat speed, Betts hit 31 home runs in 2016 and led the major leagues in total bases with 359. In 2017, he is on pace to top 30 home runs for a second straight year while leading the league in doubles and slugging over .500.

Betts is a dynamic player in all facets of the game and finished second behind Mike Trout in the LA MVP vote in his age-23 season. He will not turn 25 until early October, but is already pushing Dustin Pedroia for the biggest leadership role in the Boston Red Sox clubhouse. Betts is a special player who does everything right on and off the field.

The Red Sox play Betts in right field, but he has more than enough range to easily win Gold Gloves in center field. He could have multiple 30-30 seasons by the time his career ends and is also impossible to strike out. Betts went over 50 plate appearances to start the year without striking out, and still has more walks than strikeouts on the year.

In Betts, the Red Sox have the cornerstone of their franchise to carry the team in the post-David Ortiz era. Winning an AL MVP award with Mike Trout in his prime, Aaron Judge threatening to win the Triple Crown, and Jose Altuve and Carlos Correa doing ridiculous things in Houston, is going to be hard, but if anyone can do it, bet on Betts.

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