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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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ARLINGTON, TX – JUNE 20: Nomar Mazara #30 of the Texas Rangers hits a homerun against the Toronto Blue Jays in the fifth inning at Globe Life Park in Arlington on June 20, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX – JUNE 20: Nomar Mazara #30 of the Texas Rangers hits a homerun against the Toronto Blue Jays in the fifth inning at Globe Life Park in Arlington on June 20, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

24. Nomar Mazara

There are two Texas Rangers who are candidates to be named here at the back end of the list — Nomar Mazara and Joey Gallo. Mazara, who finished fifth in the AL Rookie of the Year vote last year gets the nod over Gallo because it is still unclear how sustainable Gallo’s power numbers are as his struggle to make contact continues. He has struck out 112 times in 79 games this season.

Mazara has had no such difficulties with making consistent contact and avoiding the strikeout, and is building on his solid rookie year nicely. After batting .266/.320/.419 as a rookie with 20 home runs and 66 RBI, he is hitting .254/.327/.436 this year with 11 home runs and 52 RBI in the first half. His power and run production are up, as are his walks. That is a very good sign for a second-year player who is still only 22 years old.

The Rangers right fielder is an impressive physical specimen with even more room to grow as a hitter. His power has still not fully developed at this stage, but his 6-foot-4, 215-pound frame indicates that plenty is coming in the future. Mazara only slugged .439 with 56 home runs in 444 games in the minor leagues, but was often over five years younger than his competition.

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