Some of baseball's biggest superstars call the outfield home, including Mike Trout, Aaron Judge, Mookie Betts, Juan Soto and Ronald Acuña Jr., and they are joined by young stars on the rise like Julio Rodríguez, Kyle Tucker, Michael Harris II and Steven Kwan.

However, some teams are better set up for current and future success at the position than others.

Here, we've broken down each team's present and future outlook at catcher, highlighting their current starter and top prospect, followed by a prediction for who will start for each of the next five seasons.

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Included with each top prospect is his tier designation based on where he slotted in Bleacher Report's 2023 farm system rankings.

Think of it as the team's five-year plan at the position.

 

Arizona Diamondbacks

Present

  • LF Corbin Carroll (Age: 22; controllable through 2031)
  • CF Alek Thomas (Age: 22; controllable through 2028)
  • RF Jake McCarthy (Age: 25; controllable through 2028)

The D-backs saw enough in a 32-game audition from Corbin Carroll last season to sign the young outfielder to an eight-year, $111 million extension this spring. He is the centerpiece of an outfield that could be the strength of this team for years to come, especially if Alek Thomas can figure things out at the plate to go along with his Gold Glove-caliber defense in center field.

 

Future

Druw Jones could easily wind up being the best player from the 2022 draft class, but he's still several years away from the majors. Meanwhile, Dominic Fletcher could make an MLB impact in 2023 after hitting .312/.378/.486 with 35 doubles, 10 triples, 12 home runs, 72 RBI and 98 runs scored in 133 games in the upper levels of the minors last year.

  • Druw Jones (Tier 1, ETA: 2026)
  • Dominic Fletcher (Tier 3, ETA: 2023)
  • Wilderd Patino (Tier 3, ETA: 2024)

 

Atlanta Braves

Present

  • LF Eddie Rosario (Age: 31; controllable through 2024)
  • CF Michael Harris II (Age: 22; controllable through 2032)
  • RF Ronald Acuña Jr. (Age: 25; controllable through 2028)

With center field and right field locked up long-term thanks to two of the game's brightest young stars, left field might be the biggest hole on the Atlanta roster. Veteran Eddie Rosario hit .212/.259/.328 for a 64 OPS+ in 270 plate appearances last season, and if he doesn't rebound, Jordan Luplow and Sam Hilliard could platoon at the position.

Future

The Braves traded away one of their top prospects when they sent outfielder Justyn-Henry Malloy to the Detroit Tigers in the Joe Jiménez deal. That leaves Jesse Franklin V as the team's top up-and-coming outfielder as he makes his way back from Tommy John surgery after playing just 15 games in 2022.

  • Jesse Franklin V (Tier 3, ETA: 2024)
  • Luis Guanipa (Tier 3, ETA: 2027)
  • Kadon Morton (Tier 3, ETA: 2025)

 

Baltimore Orioles

Present

  • LF Austin Hays (Age: 27; controllable through 2025)
  • CF Cedric Mullins (Age: 28; controllable through 2025)
  • RF Anthony Santander (Age: 28; controllable through 2024)

Cedric Mullins and Austin Hays tallied a combined 6.0 WAR last season and should be staples at their respective outfield spots, but don't be surprised if a number of guys see action in right field while Anthony Santander serves as designated hitter. Kyle Stowers has the power potential to play his way into a regular role.

 

Future

Colton Cowser reached Triple-A in his first full professional season last year, hitting .278/.406/.469 with 36 doubles, 19 home runs and 66 RBI in 139 games over three minor league levels. Meanwhile, Heston Kjerstad is finally healthy and coming off MVP honors in the Arizona Fall League.

  • Colton Cowser (Tier 1, ETA: 2023)
  • Heston Kjerstad (Tier 2, ETA: 2024)
  • Dylan Beavers (Tier 3, ETA: 2025)