Top 5 Future Superstar Hitters Of The MLB

With the Alex Rodriguezs, Ken Griffey Jrs, and Manny Ramirezs of the league getting up in age, it is now time for COED to preview the top five future superstar hitters that are still 25 years old or younger. These are the guys sure to make headlines for years to come. Now, if we can just keep them off the juice…

(Note: any player who turns 26 before the 2009 All Star Break will not be included in this list. Sorry Mets fans!)

5. Jay Bruce – RF, Cincinnati Reds – 22 years old

Bruce was thrown into the fire last year and demonstrated why the organization was so high on him. He delivered 21 home runs and 52 RBIs in his first 108 games as a big leaguer. This season, he’s off to a red hot start, already with eight homers and on pace to be a 50-homer guy.

4. Dustin Pedroia – 2B, Boston Red Sox – 25 years old

The scrappy Boston second baseman has become a folk hero in Beantown, and has already captured the 2007 AL Rookie of the Year and the 2008 AL MVP. His hustle and drive as a 5-9 middle infielder have made the fans excited to see him patrolling the right side of the infield in Fenway for the next decade.

3. Ryan Braun – LF, Milwaukee Brewers – 25 years old

Obviously, Ryan must have thought his last name was Brawn because he has displayed power and strength among the league’s best since busting onto the scene as the 2007 NL Rookie of the Year with 34 homers and 97 RBIs in only 113 games. Last year, he followed up his stellar rookie year with a 37 homer, 106 RBI campaign that helped the Brew Crew reach the postseason for the first time since 1982 – the year before Braun was born.

2. Hanley Ramirez – SS, Florida Marlins – 25 years old

Ramirez was the prize the Boston Red Sox organization sent to Florida for Josh Beckett and Mike Lowell. Despite the success the Sox have enjoyed since the deal, now they probably want Hanley back. The 2006 NL Rookie of the Year began his career as a speedster at the top of the lineup, stealing 51 bases in each of his first two seasons. Now, he’s also a consistent .300 hitter that crushed 33 homers last year to go along with his 35 stolen bases, and has been inching closer and closer to a .950 OPS.

1. Evan Longoria – 3B, Tampa Bay Rays – 23 years old

This can’t-miss prospect with a name more suited for Tony Parker’s favorite hot girl came up to the show last year and took the league by storm. The 2008 AL Rookie of the Year belted 27 homers and knocked in 85 runs in only 122 games, and helped power the Rays to their first-ever World Series appearance by crushing six homers in the postseason. This year, he trails only his teammate Carlos Pena for the AL lead in dingers and appears to be the next A-Rod on the hot corner…minus the steroids.

Honorable Mention

B.J. Upton – CF, Tampa Bay Rays – 24 years old;

Matt Kemp – CF, Los Angeles Dodgers – 24 years old;

Brian McCann – C, Atlanta Braves – 25 years old;

Nick Markakis – RF, Baltimore Orioles – 25 years old;

Joey Votto – 1B, Cincinnati Reds – 25 years old