25-and-under Dominating Major League Baseball

(CBSSports.com)

Last week, Major League Baseball released a list of the top 25 players 25-and-under. The list exhibited a major theme of the 2015 baseball season that stands out above all others, the young talent that has emerged in baseball.

First year commissioner Robert Manfred joined in the conversation discussing the young talent on and off the field.

“The group of young players that we have today is just absolutely outstanding,” Commissioner Rob Manfred told MLB.com reporters. “They’re great on the field. They’re really great human beings off the field. And I think they provide a real opportunity for the game to move forward.”

To make the emergence of young talent clear to baseball fans everywhere, the 2015 All-Star game featured 20 players age 25 or younger, which was the first time in Major League history this has occurred.

The list was compiled with young arms and bats, including two time All-Star game Most Valuable Player, and 2014 American League Most Valuable Player Mike Trout.

With New York Yankees captain and former face of baseball Derek Jeter retired, Trout has been proclaimed by many as the new face of baseball. At age 23, Trout has been a highlight machine for the Angels. The New Jersey native, is hitting .309 in 2015 with 32 homeruns, and 67 runs batted in.

Trout, Washington Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper who is 22, Baltimore Orioles third baseman Manny Machado who is 23, Miami Marlins slugger Giancarlo Stanton who is 25 and Oakland Athletics ace Sonny Gray who is 25 make up the top five players 25-and-under.

The list also includes rookie sensations Cubs Kris Bryant and Astros Anthony Correa. Bryant, was the second overall pick in 2013, while Correa was the first overall pick in 2012.

Another member on the list is 2014 World Series MVP Madison Bumgarner. Bumgarner is a three-time World Series Champion all before the age of 26.

The young talent that has emerged has brought baseball back on the map and has kept baseball fans intrigued on what is to come in the future.