Top 5 Players Under 25 to Build Your MLB Franchise Around

1. Corbin Carroll, Arizona Diamondbacks – 24 Years Old

A few short years ago, Corbin Carroll burst onto the scene with a unanimous Rookie of the Year nod and hasn’t looked back since. Even after a rocky start in 2024, he rebounded in a big way — proving that a “down year” by his standards still outpaces most big leaguers. Before a recent wrist setback, Carroll was mashing at a .255/.341/.573 clip with 20 homers, on pace to crush his career high.

Don’t let his size fool you. Carroll’s max exit velocity of 115.8 mph ranks in the top four percent of MLB hitters, and he’s already banked 3.5 fWAR this season alone. For the Arizona Diamondbacks, there’s no clearer sign of hope than Carroll patrolling the outfield for years to come. If you’re drafting a cornerstone under 25, look no further.

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4. Gunnar Henderson, Baltimore Orioles – 23 Years Old

Gunnar Henderson has already shown his superstar ceiling. Last year, he mashed 37 homers with a 155 wRC+ and carried the Baltimore Orioles lineup on his back. This season’s slight power dip (.275/.347/.436, nine homers) hasn’t masked his upside — he remains one of the top shortstops in the game at just 23.

Even as Baltimore hits rough waters, Henderson’s defensive stability (5 DRS at short) and past MVP-level production make him a no-brainer building block for any club looking for a durable, two-way anchor in the infield.

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3. Elly De La Cruz, Cincinnati Reds – 23 Years Old

Elly De La Cruz is baseball’s walking highlight reel. His rookie campaign teased us, but 2024 was the explosion: 25 dingers, 67 swipes, and 6.5 fWAR. Now in 2025, the Cincinnati Reds’ electric shortstop has tapped into another level — 18 homers, 57 RBIs, and real strides with his approach.

He’s cut his strikeout rate from a worrisome 31.3% to a more manageable 25.2%, all while continuing to torch baseballs with top-end exit velos north of 117 mph. The glove might still need polish, but with Elly’s rare mix of speed, pop, and swagger, he’s the kind of generational talent you build a winner around.

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2. James Wood, Washington Nationals – 22 Years Old

When James Wood debuted in 2024, flashes of superstardom were evident. Fast-forward to 2025, and the Washington Nationals have a franchise centerpiece on their hands. Wood has punished pitchers with a .283 average, 22 bombs, and a gaudy .938 OPS — fifth-best in MLB. His 56.9% hard-hit rate puts him among the league’s elite bashers.

Defensively, he’s turned a corner too, flipping negative DRS numbers to solid positives in just one year. While fans overlooked him in All-Star voting, smart franchises see exactly what he is: a complete slugger who’s only getting better.

1. Corbin Carroll, Arizona Diamondbacks – 24 Years Old

A few short years ago, Corbin Carroll burst onto the scene with a unanimous Rookie of the Year nod and hasn’t looked back since. Even after a rocky start in 2024, he rebounded in a big way — proving that a “down year” by his standards still outpaces most big leaguers. Before a recent wrist setback, Carroll was mashing at a .255/.341/.573 clip with 20 homers, on pace to crush his career high.

Don’t let his size fool you. Carroll’s max exit velocity of 115.8 mph ranks in the top four percent of MLB hitters, and he’s already banked 3.5 fWAR this season alone. For the Arizona Diamondbacks, there’s no clearer sign of hope than Carroll patrolling the outfield for years to come. If you’re drafting a cornerstone under 25, look no further.

For all your MLB deep dives, check out our friends at Just Baseball.