Introduction to the 26-and-Under Power Rankings
Yahoo Sports’ 26-and-under power rankings offer a unique perspective on the strength of MLB organizations by evaluating both prospects and young major leaguers. Unlike traditional farm system rankings, which focus solely on rookie-eligible and minor-league players, this exercise provides a more holistic view by including players under 26 who are already contributing at the big-league level. This approach aims to paint a more complete picture of each team’s young core, valuing productive young big leaguers more heavily than prospects who have yet to prove themselves at the highest level. The rankings are compiled based on four categories: young MLB hitters, young MLB pitchers, prospect hitters, and prospect pitchers, each scored on a scale from 0 to 10 or 0 to 5.
10. Washington Nationals (Total Score: 18/30)
The Washington Nationals, ranked 19th in 2024, bring a mix of tantalizing talent and developing young stars. CJ Abrams and MacKenzie Gore, key acquisitions from the Juan Soto trade, are entering their third full seasons in D.C. Abrams, an All-Star in 2024, needs to improve his defense and plate discipline, while Gore, who showed flashes of excellence with a 2.91 ERA and the third-best K/9 in the NL, is still working on his performance against right-handed batters. The outfield tandem of Dylan Crews and James Wood, both of whom debuted last year, are projected as future perennial All-Stars. Wood demonstrated impressive exit velocities and walk rates, while Crews, despite poor batted-ball luck, showcased exceptional hitting and base-running skills. Keibert Ruiz, signed to an extension through 2030, faces challenges behind the plate and at the plate. On the pitching side, Jose Ferrer, with his 98 mph fastball, and Jarlin Susana, who sits at 100 mph, are exciting prospects. Travis Sykora, another hard-throwing arm, is still developing but shows promise. The Nationals are on the cusp of contention, with their young core poised to make significant impacts in 2025.
9. Cleveland Guardians (Total Score: 18/30)
The Cleveland Guardians, previously ranked 5th, are renowned for their strong pitching development. In 2024, the bullpen saw the breakout of Hunter Gaddis, Tim Herrin, and Luis L. Smith, with the latter leading all relievers in fWAR. Smith, with his dominant fastball, is a key player, and Andrew Walters also boasts a powerful heater. The starting rotation, anchored by Tanner Bibee, needs to regain momentum after setbacks from Triston McKenzie and Logan Allen. The Guardians are counting on Gavin Williams and Luis Ortiz to step up, with potential contributions from Slade Cecconi. On the hitting side, Brayan Rocchio and Bo Naylor show promise, but need to develop further. Travis Bazzana, Juan Brito, and Jaison Chourio are advanced prospects who could impact the lineup soon. Cooper Ingle, a promising catcher, and Angel Genao, a high-OPA hitter, are also worth watching. The Guardians have a solid foundation but need their young players to take the next step to compete for a title.
8. Pittsburgh Pirates (Total Score: 18/30)
The Pittsburgh Pirates, ranked 18th in 2024, surge into the top 10 primarily due to the remarkable ascent of Paul Skenes, who started the All-Star Game and finished third in Cy Young voting. Skenes, under team control for another five years, is invaluable to the Pirates’ future. Jared Jones, another exciting young pitcher, showed promise, and Carmen Mlodzinski and Kyle Nicolas have potential as bullpen options. Johan Oviedo, recovering from Tommy John surgery, is also expected to contribute. Bubba Chandler, Thomas Harrington, and Braxton Ashcraft are among the next wave of promising arms. On the hitting side, Oneil Cruz, a 6-foot-7 shortstop with otherworldly power, is the most enticing prospect. However, the group of young hitters is relatively shallow, with Nick Gonzales, Nick Yorke, and Termarr Johnson showing potential but lacking star power. The Pirates need to develop their bats to complement their elite pitching core.
7. Atlanta Braves (Total Score: 18/30)
The Atlanta Braves, previously ranked second, have a strong young core despite the aging out of Ronald Acuña Jr. Michael Harris II, despite injury setbacks, remains a key player with defensive prowess and offensive potential. Spencer Strider, recovering from an elbow injury, is expected to return in late April. Spencer Schwellenbach, an out-of-nowhere breakout pitcher, delivered a 3.34 ERA and is set to become a staple in the rotation. AJ Smith-Shawver, a hard-throwing prospect with a mid-90s fastball, is expected to click and become a reliable starter. On the farm, Drake Baldwin, a rare hitting catcher, is likely to impact the big-league club in 2025. The Braves have depth in pitching but need to develop their young hitting prospects to complement their star pitchers.
6. Milwaukee Brewers (Total Score: 18/30)
The Milwaukee Brewers, ranked 8th in 2024, boast one of the highest-ranked groups of young MLB hitters, led by Jackson Chourio. Chourio, after a slow start, emerged as one of the Brewers’ best bats in the second half, showcasing high-end power and speed. The outfield features Garrett Mitchell and Sal Frelick, both standout defenders with offensive potential. Brice Turang and Joey Ortiz provide defensive excellence at second base and shortstop, respectively. The Brewers’ defense is strong, but Chourio may need to carry more offensive responsibility. Prospect bats like Tyler Black, Mike Boeve, and Jeferson Quero show promise but are a few years away. On the pitching side, Tobias Myers, who had a strong rookie season, and Abner Uribe, with closer stuff, are key. Jacob Misiorowski, with an electric arsenal, and Logan Henderson, with a lower ceiling, are also part of the pitching pipeline. The Brewers have a solid young core and are poised to remain competitive in the coming years.
Conclusion
The 26-and-under power rankings provide a comprehensive look at the young talent across MLB organizations, blending the contributions of current major leaguers with the potential of prospects. The Washington Nationals, Cleveland Guardians, Pittsburgh Pirates, Atlanta Braves, and Milwaukee Brewers all have promising young cores, with varying degrees of depth and impact. As these players continue to develop, they will play crucial roles in shaping their teams’ futures and the landscape of Major League Baseball.
