MLB All "Up-And-Coming" Team

Here are the best players, with the brightest futures, in the Major Leagues under the age of 25:

Catcher: Joe Mauer, Minnesota Twins (25)

I love Joe Mauer, see http://our2centalones.blogspot.com/2008/07/resurgence-of-major-league-catcher.html.

First Base: Miguel Cabrera, Detroit Tigers (25)

Considering Cabrera is now a first baseman, he is the best young one. Prince Fielder is good, but he is a poor fielder and is inconsistent hitting for average. Cabrera has it all. He is young, but also experienced (has been in the Major Leagues for six years now), and never gets injured. Cabrera is a stud and he will only get better.

Second Base: Dustin Pedroia, Boston Red Sox (25)

Sorry everybody, Ian Kinsler is 26 years-old. Pedroia is the kind of guy who will hit (at least) .310 a season for the rest of his career and his defense is spectacular. He will not wow anybody with any of his characteristics, but he will be consistent for his entire career. He is only 5'9" but he has 39 XBH in 99 games this season, and he will continue to take advantage of the Fenway's short porch in left field (a.k.a. The Green Monster).

Third Base: Evan Longoria, Tampa Bay Rays (23)

Oops.

The 2008 will-be ROY is a tank. He leads the AL East-leading Rays in homeruns (19) and RBI (60) and he missed the first ten games of the season. He has only made seven errors thus far at third base, and has his best years yet to come. Longoria's 36/87 walk/strikeout ratio is not bad for a rookie, and one would expect that he will raise his average (.274) in the coming years.

Shortstop: Hanley Ramirez, Florida Marlins (25)

Currently in his third full Major League season, Ramirez has revealed himself as one of the premier players in the entire league. He has stolen 51 bases in each of his first two seasons in the league and this season he has developed his power stroke, hitting 23 homeruns in his first 97 games after hitting (only) 29 homeruns in 154 games last season. If Ramirez can stay healthy in his career, he is a constant 40/40 threat. I was considering Jose Reyes, but I just have a better feeling towards Ramirez.

Left Field: Ryan Braun, Milwaukee Brewers (25)

Braun is one of the best young power hitters in the game today. He had an incredible semi-year last year, getting called up to the Major Leagues in late May then proceeding to hit 34 homeruns, 91 runs, 97 RBI, and .324 average in only 113 games. One could say that Braun had a lot to prove this year. On May 15 of this year, Braun signed a long-term deal with the Brewers which runs through the 2015 season and is worth about $45 million. Braun is putting up huge numbers again this year, hitting 24 homeruns through 96 games and excelling in left field, making no errors thus far, compared to the 26 errors he made last seaosn at third base.

Center Field: B.J. Upton, Tampa Bay Rays (24)

Matt Kemp was considered here, but he is not a full-time center fielder. Upton on the other hand made the switch from second base to centerfield, where his athleticism could take over, and it has paid dividends. Although his homerun numbers are way down from last year (24-6)* his stolen base numbers are up (22-30)*. Upton is already maturing, cutting down on his strikeouts (154-85) and his walk numbers are rising (65-65)*. One would think that Upton would regain those power numbers once he gets it all figured out, he just has so much upside.

Right Field: Nick Markakis, Baltimore Orioles (25)

Ehhh, not quite yet.

Markakis came up to the Major Leagues when he was ready, at 23 years-old he hit .291 in 147 games three years ago and has a career .295 average in three seasons. As for his fielding, Markakis is regarded as one of the best in the league. In his career, Markakis has 30 outfield assists, compared to his five errors and boasts a superb .994 fielding %. I have always been a fan of Markakisville, and I know there is a lot we can expect from him in the future.

Starting Pitcher: Tim Lincecum, San Francisco Giants (24)

"Tiny" Tim Lincecum is only 5'11" but he throws some serious heat. Regularly touching 98 mph on the radar gun is one of the reasons why Lincecum has 293 strikeouts in 282 innings in his Major League career. It was honestly a toss-up between him and Cole Hamels, but I give Lincecum the advantage because of what team he pitches for (SF). Scott Kazmir and Felix Hernandez were also considered, but they both are constant DL visitors.

Relief Pitcher: Joakim Soria, Kansas City Royals (24)

Just the fact that Soria has 26 saves on the Royals is plain outstanding. I honestly have never seen Soria play, nor know much about him, but he is the only full-time closer under the age of 25 and has great stats. Stats such as a 48/8 strikeout/walk ratio in 44 innings, and has 43 saves in 49 save opportunities. Brendon Morrow is really the only young and dominant relief pitcher, but he is not the closer for Seattle now that J.J. Putz is back.

Now that's a team even Lloyd McClendon could win with... maybe.