Fansided

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) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
22 of 25
Next
NEW YORK, NY – APRIL 09: Pitcher Noah Syndergaard #34 of the New York Mets delivers a pitch against the Miami Marlins during the first inning of a game at Citi Field on April 9, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – APRIL 09: Pitcher Noah Syndergaard #34 of the New York Mets delivers a pitch against the Miami Marlins during the first inning of a game at Citi Field on April 9, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /

4. Noah Syndergaard

Noah Syndergaard is the top pitcher in the league under 25. Although he is out with an injury for most — if not all — of the 2017 season, that does nothing to diminish how special the massive right-hander is. Syndergaard will not turn 25 until the end of August.

Nicknamed Thor for his Norse-sounding last name, hulking frame, and flowing blonde locks, the type of velocity that Syndergaard can sustain for an entire game has never been seen before in an MLB starter. He routinely touches 101 mph with his fastball and sits at 98 with movement. Syndergaard also throws a slider over 90 mph. His slider has the potential to be the most dominant pitch in the league, and opponents have slugged only .212 against it.

Syndergaard’s velocity is special, but his ability to command and harness his overwhelming stuff is what truly makes him stand out. Nolan Ryan was walking close to seven batters per nine when he was Syndergaard’s age. Randy Johnson nearly flamed out of the league over control issues. Through 60 MLB starts, Syndergaard is walking fewer than two per nine. In his five starts this season, which spanned nearly 30 innings, he walked only two batters.

MLB needs Syndergaard to recover from his lat tear with no loss in velocity or stuff. He has the ability to redefine what is possible for a starting pitcher. The combination of velocity and command is exceedingly rare. Syndergaard has it all — the presence on the mound, velocity, looks, personality, makeup — to go down as an all-time MLB great.

Home/MLB