“The Future is Now: Morningpicker’s MLB 26-and-Under Power Rankings Unveiled
As the sun sets on another thrilling Major League Baseball season, the eyes of fans and analysts alike are turning to the next generation of stars. The 2024 season may be still months away, but the pipeline of young talent is already overflowing. From phenom pitchers to MVP-caliber hitters, the MLB is teeming with 26-and-under players ready to take the league by storm.
In this exclusive series, Morningpicker goes deep into the talent reserves of every MLB organization, ranking the top young players from each team. We’re not just talking about prospects – we’re talking about the next Aaron Judge, the next Juan Soto, or the next Ronald Acuña Jr.
Understanding the 26-and-under Power Rankings
The 26-and-under Power Rankings aim to provide a more comprehensive view of each team’s young talent, beyond traditional farm system rankings. By evaluating the strength of all players in an organization entering their age-26 seasons or younger, Morningpicker’s analysis values productive young big leaguers more heavily than prospects who have yet to prove it at the highest level.
These rankings consider four categories: Young MLB hitters, Young MLB pitchers, Prospect hitters, and Prospect pitchers. Each category is scored from 0-10 for Young MLB hitters and pitchers, and 0-5 for prospect hitters and pitchers. The scores are combined to produce a total score out of 30, providing a comprehensive assessment of each organization’s young talent.
Players who have reached the MLB level at age 26 or younger are given more weight in the rankings, as they are considered more developed and valuable to their teams. The weightage given to each category also reflects the importance of each position and the role of each player in their team’s success.
How are the Power Rankings Calculated?
The scoring system for each category is as follows:
- Young MLB hitters: 0-10 points, with 10 being the most valuable. The points are awarded based on the player’s performance in 2023, including their batting average, home runs, runs batted in (RBIs), and other key statistics.
- Young MLB pitchers: 0-10 points, with 10 being the most valuable. The points are awarded based on the player’s performance in 2023, including their ERA, strikeouts, walks, and other key statistics.
- Prospect hitters: 0-5 points, with 5 being the most valuable. The points are awarded based on the player’s potential to reach the MLB level, as well as their performance in the minor leagues.
- Prospect pitchers: 0-5 points, with 5 being the most valuable. The points are awarded based on the player’s potential to reach the MLB level, as well as their performance in the minor leagues.
- Young MLB hitters: 20% of the total score
- Young MLB pitchers: 20% of the total score
- Prospect hitters: 30% of the total score
- Prospect pitchers: 30% of the total score
The weightage given to each category is as follows:
Analyzing the Top 5 Teams
Atlanta Braves: The Top-Ranked Team
The Braves have the deepest lineup in baseball, with a strong mix of veterans and young players. Michael Harris II is expected to make a significant impact in his second season, while the team’s pitching staff is deep and talented.
The Braves’ lineup features a mix of power hitters, speedsters, and contact batsmen, making them a well-rounded team that can compete with any opponent. With a strong offense and a deep pitching staff, the Braves are well-positioned to make a deep playoff run.
Los Angeles Dodgers: The Question Marks
The Dodgers have a talented team, but their pitching staff is a major concern. The team’s reliance on familiar names, such as Clayton Kershaw and Walker Buehler, raises questions about their ability to stay healthy and perform at a high level.
The Dodgers’ offense is still one of the best in the league, but the team’s inability to stay healthy on the mound could be a major issue. With a deep lineup and a strong bullpen, the Dodgers are still a formidable opponent, but their pitching staff is a major concern.
Philadelphia Phillies: A Loaded Team
The Phillies have a loaded lineup, with a mix of power hitters, speedsters, and contact batsmen. Bryce Harper and Trea Turner are expected to make significant contributions to the team’s offense, while the team’s pitching staff is deep and talented.
The Phillies’ pitching staff features a mix of veteran starters and young relievers, making them a well-rounded team that can compete with any opponent. With a strong offense and a deep pitching staff, the Phillies are well-positioned to make a deep playoff run.
Texas Rangers: The Offense to Watch
The Rangers have a potent offense, led by Evan Carter and Wyatt Langford. The team’s ability to score runs will be crucial in determining their success, and they have the talent and depth to do so.
The Rangers’ pitching staff is a concern, with a mix of veteran starters and young relievers. However, the team’s offense is strong enough to carry them, and they have the potential to make a deep playoff run.
Houston Astros: The Question Marks
The Astros have a talented team, but their pitching staff is a major concern. The team’s reliance on Framber Valdez and other veteran starters raises questions about their ability to stay healthy and perform at a high level.
The Astros’ offense is still one of the best in the league, but the team’s inability to stay healthy on the mound could be a major issue. With a deep lineup and a strong bullpen, the Astros are still a formidable opponent, but their pitching staff is a major concern.
Team-by-Team Analysis
New York Mets: A Trending Organization
The Mets have a talented young core, led by Francisco Álvarez and Christian Scott. The team’s ability to develop players in the minor leagues has been impressive, and they have a strong mix of veterans and young players.
The Mets’ pitching staff is a concern, with a mix of veteran starters and young relievers. However, the team’s offense is strong enough to carry them, and they have the potential to make a deep playoff run.
Baltimore Orioles: The Future is Bright
The Orioles have a talented young core, led by Jackson Holliday. The team’s ability to develop players in the minor leagues has been impressive, and they have a strong mix of veterans and young players.
The Orioles’ pitching staff is a concern, with a mix of veteran starters and young relievers. However, the team’s offense is strong enough to carry them, and they have the potential to make a deep playoff run.
Other Teams to Watch
The Cubs, Mariners, and Blue Jays are all teams to watch in the coming season. The Cubs have a talented young core, led by Cody Bellinger and Seiya Suzuki, while the Mariners have a strong mix of veterans and young players, led by Julio Rodríguez.
The Blue Jays have a talented young core, led by Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette, and they have a strong mix of veterans and young players. With a deep lineup and a strong pitching staff, they are well-positioned to make a deep playoff run.
Fantasy Baseball Implications
Team-by-Team Fantasy Rankings
The following is a team-by-team fantasy ranking, taking into account each team’s young talent and potential for success in the coming season.
- Atlanta Braves: 1st
- Los Angeles Dodgers: 2nd
- Philadelphia Phillies: 3rd
- Texas Rangers: 4th
- Houston Astros: 5th
- Michael Harris II (Atlanta Braves): 1st round pick
- Clayton Kershaw (Los Angeles Dodgers): 2nd round pick
- Bryce Harper (Philadelphia Phillies): 3rd round pick
- Evan Carter (Texas Rangers): 4th round pick
- Julio Rodríguez (Seattle Mariners): 5th round pick
Player-by-Player Analysis
The following is a player-by-player analysis, taking into account each player’s potential for success in the coming season.
Morningpicker’s Fantasy Power Rankings
Top 5 Teams to Watch
The following are the top 5 teams to watch in the coming season, taking into account each team’s young talent and potential for success.
- Atlanta Braves: 1st
- Los Angeles Dodgers: 2nd
- Philadelphia Phillies: 3rd
- Texas Rangers: 4th
- Houston Astros: 5th
- Cleveland Indians: 30th
- Pittsburgh Pirates: 29th
- San Diego Padres: 28th
- Chicago White Sox: 27th
- Arizona Diamondbacks: 26th
Teams to Avoid
The following are the teams to avoid in the coming season, taking into account each team’s young talent and potential for success.
Conclusion
As we conclude our MLB 26-and-under power rankings, it’s clear that each organization boasts an impressive array of young talent, each with its own unique strengths and areas for growth. The rankings, which started with the Phillies at No. 30 and counted down to the top team, provided an in-depth analysis of the prospects, minor leaguers, and young major leaguers that make up the future of each franchise. From the Phillies’ need to rebuild their farm system to the top team’s embarrassment of riches, the rankings highlighted the varying degrees of success and potential that exist across the league.
The significance of these rankings extends beyond mere entertainment value; they offer a glimpse into the future of the MLB and the teams that will shape its landscape in the years to come. As teams continue to invest in their young players and develop their farm systems, the rankings serve as a reminder that success in the MLB is not solely dependent on the present, but also on the future. The implications of these rankings will be felt in the coming seasons as teams look to build on their strengths and address their weaknesses.
As we look to the future, one thing is clear: the next generation of MLB stars is already making waves, and their impact will only continue to grow. The question on everyone’s mind is, which team will be the first to capitalize on its young talent and bring home a championship? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain – the future of the MLB is bright, and the young talent that fills these rankings is ready to shine.