When it comes to star power, MLB is currently having a honeymoon.
Ronald Acuna Jr., Shohei Ohtani, Jacob deGrom, Gerrit Cole, Freddie Freeman, and many more bring joy and entertainment to fans day in and day out.
However, these young under-23 stars are on the path to the Hall of Fame.
3. Juan Soto
Few hitters have been able to accomplish what Juan Soto did at 19 years old.
In 2018, when he was that age, he went to the Majors after just a handful of at-bats in Double-A.
That year, he had a .292/.406/.517 line with 22 home runs, 77 RBI, and 70 runs scored in just 116 games.
Most players are struggling to find their footing in Class-A or Class-A Advanced at that age, and this guy was getting on base 40 percent of the time.
It was clear, from the beginning, that Soto was, and is, a special hitter destined for greatness.
In 2019, his first full season, Soto hit .282/.401/.548 with 34 dingers, 110 runs, and 110 RBI, leading his team, the Washington Nationals, to a World Series title.
At 22 years and seven months, Soto has hit .293/.414/.537 with 77 home runs, and has taken almost as many walks as strikeouts.
If he keeps this trajectory, he is destined for immortality in about 20 years or so.
2. Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
After hitting .262/.329/.462 in 2020, we were left wondering if Vladimir Guerrero Jr. would ever play like the hitting star he was in the minor leagues.
He reported last year out of shape, and his play showed it.
However, after making some mechanical adjustments that led to lifting the ball more consistently, the Toronto Blue Jays star has finally broken out in a big way.
Guerrero has been, without any question, the best hitter in MLB this year, with a .340/.441/.668 batting line that seems Ruthian, or Bonds-ian.
He has hit 23 homers and is among the leaders in MLB, with 60 RBI to round out his resume.
We may be in the presence of a historic season this year, as he has a great chance of finishing with the Triple Crown of hitting.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. leads the AL in BA (.344), HR (21) and RBI (55).
He’s the first player, age-22 or younger, to lead his league in all 3 triple crown categories 60+ games into a season since Hall of Famer Al Kaline in 1955 h/t @EliasSports pic.twitter.com/tL0UZSllpS
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) June 14, 2021
And the saddest part is that given Ohtani’s hitting and pitching prowess, Guerrero may not be the MVP.
He will, however, have a chance at being elected to the Hall of Fame in 20-25 years if he keeps hitting like this.
1. Fernando Tatis Jr.
MLB fans are in for a treat, seeing Fernando Tatis Jr. play every day for years to come.
The San Diego Padres star may not be the best defensive shortstop, but he gets the job done.
What makes him special is what he can do with the bat and on the basepaths.
He has, so far, 22 home runs and 14 stolen bases, and consider the fact that he has missed time with a significant shoulder injury that, in theory, should be affecting his play.
Fernando Tatis Jr. – San Diego Padres (22) pic.twitter.com/8hK8B849lz
— MLB HR Videos (@MLBHRVideos) June 18, 2021
It doesn’t seem like it, to be honest.
Tatis is hitting .285/.367/.667 in 2021.
He can do it all on a baseball field: take a walk, hit for average and power, field, throw, and run like the wind.
He is, along with Acuña, the only real threat to have a 40-40 season.
He has everything you look for in a future Hall of Famer.
NEXT: Is Jose Ramirez Overrated? (3 Reasons He Is Not)