Baseball is a tough sport to predict on a long-term basis, as much can change in a year. Injuries, unexpected steps forward and backward by established players, and the yearly influx of rookies leave the MLB landscape looking significantly different on a year-in and year-out basis.
With that being said, what follows is my prediction of who will be the 25 best players in MLB when the 2020 season rolls around five years from now.
Based on current age, track record of success to this point and overall projectability, the following 25 guys all profile as superstar-caliber players down the road.
It’s important to realize that the 25 best players represent the top 3.3 percent of players in baseball, so you can be a very good player and still not make this list.
As a result, a lot of guys who are going to be awfully good five years from now are not included for the simple reason that only 25 slots are available.
Still think I overlooked someone? I encourage your feedback in the comments below. I ask only that you also recommend a player to be removed from my list in favor of him, for the sake of argument.
Note: Ages referenced reflect a player’s “baseball age,” or how old he will be on June 30. Minor league stats are provided for players who have yet to exceed rookie eligibility limits. Players are listed alphabetically.