Tuesday’s All-Star Game in Cincinnati will feature a record 20 players under the age of 25, according to the Star Tribune.
There’s no doubt that veterans in the league – like Albert Pujols of the Angels and Miguel Cabrera of the Tigers – can still mash a baseball as good as anyone, but the surge of youth means names fans aren’t too familiar with today could soon become household names.
A few to mention on the rosters for the All-Star Game: Kris Bryant of the Cubs, Bryce Harper of the Nationals, Joc Pederson of the Dodgers and Lorenzo Cain of the Royals
Twins fans can relate to the youth movement happening throughout the league. Already this season three of Minnesota’s top prospects have been called up to the big leagues. Byron Buxton, currently on the disabled list with a sprained thumb, made his debut last month by jumping from Double-A to the majors. He’s the No. 1 prospect in the majors, according to Baseball Prospectus and MLB.com.
Miguel Sano did the same, only he’s had much more success at the plate. Through 11 games Sano is hitting .378 with 2 home runs, 4 doubles, 8 walks, 8 RBI and an OPS of 1.138 (slugging percentage plus on-base percentage).
Bleacher Report called Sano’s start a “huge early impression.”
Relief pitcher (future starter) Alex Meyer got the call from Triple-A, but was sent back to the minors after two poor outings. Regardless, it’s the beginning of a potentially long list of youngsters with a lot of potential.
- Eddie Rosario (23)
- Danny Santana (24)
- Aaron Hicks (24)
- Kennys Vargas (24)
- Trevor May (25)
- J.R. Graham (25)
- Jorge Polanco (22)
- Oswaldo Arcia (24)
- Byron Buxton (21)
- Miguel Sano (22)
- Alex Meyer (25)
- Michael Tonkin (25)
All 12 of those players have a chance to stick in the big leagues and help the Twins contend in the American League Central division for years to come.
But that’s just the beginning. Down the pipeline are the likes of 21-year-old starting pitcher Jose Berrios, who on Sunday started for the World Team in the All-Star Futures Game. He’s already at Triple-A, surging towards the big leagues.
Then there is 22-year-old Max Kepler, who has been one of the best hitters in Double-A.
Another name to watch out for his Adam Brett Walker. He’s leads all minor leaguers with 24 homers and 74 RBI in just 84 games at Double-A. The 23-year-old strikes out a ton, but has big-time power.
Who knows how many of them will someday be playing in an All-Star Game, but it’s definitely a positive outlook for a Twins team that has been down in the dumps four years in a row before their somewhat magical first half here in 2015.
