MLB Power Rankings: Top 25 players under 25

ANAHEIM, CA - MAY 17: Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) hits a fly ball to left field for an out in the fourth inning of a game against the Tampa Bay Rays played on May 17, 2018 at Angel Stadium of Anaheim in Anaheim, CA. (Photo by John Cordes/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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HOUSTON, TX – MAY 20: Lance McCullers Jr. #43 of the Houston Astros pitches in the first inning against the Cleveland Indians at Minute Maid Park on May 20, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /

11. Lance McCullers

As rookies in 2015, Carlos Correa and Lance McCullers nearly won the Houston Astros a playoff series by themselves. They were both 21 that October and handled themselves like seasoned veterans. In a potential series-deciding Game 4 of the ALDS, McCullers pitched 6.1 strong innings, allowing only two hits and two runs before the bullpen entered and blew the game in epic fashion.

Since their debuts, the careers of McCullers and Correa have not continued rising at the same rate. While Correa has established himself as an annual MVP candidate, McCullers has struggled to stay healthy. The 24-year-old right-hander has made only 36 starts the past two years and is just 13-9 with a 3.83 ERA over that time period.

McCullers has finally entered a season fully healthy this year and is off to a great start. He has made all 10 of his starts as scheduled and is 6-2 with a 3.20 ERA and has struck out 66 in 59 innings while allowing only three home runs and a .212 BAA with an opponent’s OPS of .604.

After two years of dealing with injuries, McCullers is definitely making a leap to the next level this year. He continues to throw one of the nastiest curveballs in baseball but has made strides to diversify his arsenal. McCullers is using his changeup much more frequently this year and is holding opponents to a .103 batting average on the pitch. A more complete version of Lance McCullers is big trouble for the rest of MLB.

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