The future of baseball is in good hands.
Even with a number of hyped prospects moving on to the majors this season, including consensus No. 1 overall Wander Franco, the minor league ranks are still loaded with future stars.
That's especially true in the lower levels of the minors, where a number of high-ceiling youngsters are taking aim at being baseball's next superstar.
From New York Yankees phenom Jasson Dominguez to Seattle Mariners outfielder Julio Rodriguez to future NL West rivals Marco Luciano and CJ Abrams, there is no shortage of elite talent that is still not old enough to stroll over to the concession stand and order a beer.
Ahead we've ranked the top 25 prospects who are 20 or younger, based on current production, future upside and long-term expectations.
Enjoy!
Honorable Mentions
Right-Handed Pitchers: Matt Allan (NYM), Nick Bitsko (TB), Jared Kelley (CWS), Andrew Painter (PHI), Eury Perez (MIA), Chase Petty (MIN), Simeon Woods Richardson (TOR)
Left-Handed Pitchers: Kyle Harrison (SF), Blake Walston (ARI)
Catchers: Harry Ford (SEA), Joe Mack (MIA), Drew Romo (COL)
Infielders: SS Aeverson Arteaga (SF), SS Cristian Hernandez (CHC), SS Brady House (WAS), SS Ed Howard (CHC), 3B Blaze Jordan (BOS), SS Colson Montgomery (CWS), SS Max Muncy (OAK), 3B Jhonkensy Noel (CLE), SS Kyren Paris (LAA), SS Liover Peguero (PIT), SS Reginald Preciado (CHC), SS Robert Puason (OAK), SS Brayan Rocchio (CLE)
Outfielders: Pete Crow-Armstrong (CHC), Michael Harris (ATL), Austin Hendrick (CIN), Benny Montgomery (COL), Andy Pages (LAD), Hedbert Perez (MIL), George Valera (CLE)
Nos. 25-21
25. LHP Kyle Harrison, San Francisco Giants (Age: 20)
The Giants gave Harrison a $2.5 million signing bonus as a third-round pick in 2020, roughly the slot-value equivalent of the No. 28 overall selection. With three plus pitches and a good feel for pitching, the 6'2", 200-pound southpaw has quickly made that look like a wise investment with a 3.86 ERA and 116 strikeouts in 74.2 innings at Single-A.
24. RHP Daniel Espino, Cleveland (Age: 20)
With some effort in his delivery and long arm action, questions remain about whether Espino will stick as a starter, but his stuff is absolutely electric. With a 70-grade fastball and 60-grade slider, he has racked up 110 strikeouts in 65.2 innings between Single-A and High-A. He has ace upside with a closer floor.
23. SS Kahlil Watson, Miami Marlins (Age: 18)
Watson played his way into the top tier of prep prospects in the 2021 draft with a strong spring, and he has potentially above-average tools across the board. There is surprising power packed into his 5'9", 178-pound physique coupled with an advanced hit tool. He has the defensive chops to stick at shortstop and the athleticism to move around the diamond as needed.
22. SS Ronny Mauricio, New York Mets (Age: 20)
A hyped prospect since he signed for $2.1 million as part of the 2017 international class, Mauricio remains more upside than current production. There is still a ton of physical projection in his 6'3", 166-pound frame, and his power is starting to show up in games, with 15 home runs in 83 games at High-A. He might still be a few years away, but he has impact potential.
21. SS Gunnar Henderson, Baltimore Orioles (Age: 20)
The No. 42 overall pick in the same draft that saw the O's select Adley Rutschman at No. 1 overall, Henderson offers a 55-hit/60-power offensive profile. In 82 games between Single-A and High-A, he's hitting .256/.342/.460 with 21 doubles, 13 home runs and 12 steals. At 6'2" and 210 pounds might ultimately fit best at third base.
Nos. 20-16
20. RHP Mick Abel, Philadelphia Phillies (Age: 20)
Abel has four average-or-better pitches and an extremely projectable 6'5", 190-pound frame. The No. 15 overall pick in the 2020 draft has more present pitchability than most pitchers his age, and he has more than held his own in his pro debut. He has a 4.43 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 66 strikeouts in 44.2 innings while limiting opposing hitters to a .174 average in full-season ball.
19. RHP Jackson Jobe, Detroit Tigers (Age: 19)
It's not out of the question to think Jobe could wind up being the best pitcher taken in the 2020 draft. With a mid-90s fastball, a plus changeup, and a 70-grade slider that might have been the best breaking pitch in the entire class, he has one of the most advanced arsenals of any prep pitcher in recent memory. Detroit has assembled quite the collection of young arms.
18. OF Luis Matos, San Francisco Giants (Age: 19)
One of the breakout prospects of 2021, Matos is hitting .326/.367/.513 with 27 doubles, 12 home runs and 71 RBI in 83 games at Single-A. Signed for $725,000 in the same 2018 international class that was headlined by fellow Giants prospect Marco Luciano, he has a 60-grade hit tool and budding raw power in a still developing 5'11", 160-pound body.
17. SS Orelvis Martinez, Toronto Blue Jays (Age: 19)
The Blue Jays have a wealth of middle infield talent, and Martinez could wind up being the best of the bunch among their current minor league crop. With a 55-hit/60-power profile, he is hitting .265/.345/.547 with 23 doubles, 23 home runs and 78 RBI in 84 games between Single-A and High-A. He could grow out of shortstop and shift to third base, but his power will play at a corner spot.
16. RHP Quinn Priester, Pittsburgh Pirates (Age: 20)
Priester has added significant strength to his physique since going No. 18 overall in the 2019 draft as a pop-up prospect in cold-weather Illinois, and his fastball velocity has ticked up as a result. The 6'3", 215-pound right-hander now touches 98 mph with his heater, and he backs it with three above-average offspeed pitches. Pitching at High-A this season, he has a 2.80 ERA in 74 innings with a .219 opponents' batting average.
Nos. 15-11
15. SS Anthony Volpe, New York Yankees (Age: 20)
There is arguably no prospect who has raised his stock more in 2021 than Volpe, who was the No. 30 overall pick in the 2019 draft. After a lackluster showing in his pro debut, he has been absolutely raking this season, hitting .299/.433/.602 with 28 doubles, 19 home runs, 69 RBI, 87 runs scored and 27 steals. That offensive production from a player who is poised to stick at shortstop has quickly made him an elite prospect.
14. OF Zac Veen, Colorado Rockies (Age: 19)
With a smooth left-handed swing and an uber-projectable 6'4", 190-pound frame, Veen has drawn some comparisons to a young Cody Bellinger. The No. 9 overall pick and second prep bat taken after Robert Hassell lll in the 2020 draft, Veen is hitting .298/.394/.514 with 22 doubles, 14 home runs, 62 RBI and 30 steals in 86 games at Single-A.
13. C Diego Cartaya, Los Angeles Dodgers (Age: 19)
The decision to include catcher Keibert Ruiz in the Max Scherzer/Trea Turner blockbuster with the Washington Nationals was no doubt made easier by the continued development of Cartaya. Signed out of Venezuela for $2.5 million in 2018, he made his stateside debut at 17. He is hitting .298/.409/.614 with 10 home runs and 31 RBI in 31 games at Single-A this year, and he continues to showcase solid receiving skills and a strong arm.
12. 3B Jordan Walker, St. Louis Cardinals (Age: 19)
With an imposing 6'5", 220-pound frame and terrific bat speed, Walker had the best raw power of anyone not named Spencer Torkelson in the 2020 draft class. The Cardinals scooped him up at No. 21 overall, and he's hitting .328/.404/.543 with 22 doubles, eight home runs and 31 RBI in 51 games, earning a midseason promotion to High-A in his pro debut.
11. OF Robert Hassell lll, San Diego Padres (Age: 20)
The Padres were locked in on Hassell throughout the predraft process, so it was no surprise when they made him the No. 8 overall pick in the 2020 draft. One of the best pure hitters in his class, he is hitting .312/.407/.453 with 34 extra-base hits in 84 games at Single-A. His offensive profile is hit-over-power, but he should be a well-rounded contributor in all facets of the game.
