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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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HOUSTON, TX – JUNE 14: Rougned Odor #12 of the Texas Rangers flips his bat as he grounds out in the sixth inning against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park on June 14, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX – JUNE 14: Rougned Odor #12 of the Texas Rangers flips his bat as he grounds out in the sixth inning against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park on June 14, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /

21. Rougned Odor

Rougned Odor was pressed into duty for the Texas Rangers in 2014 at the age of 20, with a grand total of zero career games at Triple-A. He acquitted himself well as a rookie, batting .259/.297/.402 in 114 games with nine home runs and 48 RBI. After a brief stay at Triple-A to start the year in 2015, Odor was recalled and hit 16 home runs in 120 games.

Few second basemen in the game today can match Odor when it comes to pure raw power. He hit 33 home runs in 2016 while hitting .271/.296/.502 and driving in 88. Judging by the tiny split between batting average and on-base percentage, it is not hard to tell that Odor is not really one to take a walk. He drew only 19 free passes on 632 plate appearances last season.

Odor’s walk rate is up ever so slightly in 2017, but his offensive numbers have fallen off dramatically. His OPS is down over 150 points from a year ago, but his strikeout rate is way up and he is not doing much except hit home runs. Odor was obviously very raw in all facets of the game (including the mental side) when the Rangers brought him up, and he is still trying to work through the holes in his swing and tighten his approach at the plate. It will come down to whether or not Odor can stop getting himself out, but he has the potential to be the best second baseman in the American League.

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