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MLB Power Rankings: Top 25 players under 25

By Joshua Sadlock

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)
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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WASHINGTON, D.C. – MAY 23: Trea Turner #7 of the Washington Nationals throws to first base during a game against the San Diego Padres at Nationals Park on Wednesday, May 23, 2018 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Alex Trautwig/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, D.C. – MAY 23: Trea Turner #7 of the Washington Nationals throws to first base during a game against the San Diego Padres at Nationals Park on Wednesday, May 23, 2018 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Alex Trautwig/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /

6. Trea Turner

The stolen base may be just about dead across most of Major League Baseball, but don’t tell that to Washington Nationals shortstop Trea Turner. The 24-year-old has stolen 94 bags and has been caught only 17 times since entering the league at the end of the 2015 season. Injuries and indecision from the front office have prevented Turner from playing a full 162-game season in the big leagues, but on a 162-game basis, he has been good for 63 steals a year.

Not only is Turner helping to keep the stolen base on life support, he features a very powerful bat from the top of the order. He is a career .298/.355/.478 hitter with averages of 31 doubles, 10 triples and 20 home runs per 162 games. Turner’s power numbers are down slightly to start the year in 2018, but he is still on track to approach 30 doubles, 20 home runs and 50 steals.

Being forced to languish at Triple-A for most of the 2016 season while Danny Espinosa and Stephen Drew muddled along at shortstop for Dusty Baker likely cost Turner the Rookie of the Year award. Baker notoriously favors his veterans, but Turner hit .342/.370/.567 with 14 doubles, eight triples, 13 home runs and 33 stolen bases and 3.4 WAR in 73 games to finish second to Corey Seager in the vote.

Projecting what type of player Turner will ultimately be is still difficult because he has yet to go through a full season with pitchers constantly making adjustments to attack his weaknesses. Expecting MVP-type numbers like he posted in 2016 is probably a stretch, but Turner looks like a perennial All-Star candidate.

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