Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. Young finished second in the American League Rookie of the Year Award voting in '07, when he hit .288 with 93 RBIs in 162 games. Putsy Caballero is considered to be the youngest position player to debut in the MLB during the modern era. Caballero saw his career post a batting average of .228, one home run, and 40 RBI. The consensus favorite to lead the majors in wins in 2023, Cole posted a 13-8 record across an MLB-high 33 starts last year. The No. Kenny Kelly: 21 years, 225 daysDebut: Sept. 7, 2000. He was 41 years, 188 days old in his final game, on Oct. 6, 1985, with the Mets. Hed debuted in September 1944 as an 18-year-old, playing in three games at the end of the season. Another youngster rushed to the big leagues during the waning years of World War II, Osgood made his MLB debut on June 18, 1944. On Dec. 12, 2004, they traded him to the Blue Jays for a 27-year-old catcher by the name of Kevin Cash. 9278 In addition to being the youngest person to ever play for the Yankees, Hanson is also the only person younger than 18 to appear in a game for them . Throughout his career, Ott played for the New York Giants. He also leads MLB in hits through Tuesdays games, with 11 yes, even ahead of the great Steven Kwan (who is three-and-a-half years older than Franco). But after his debut, Nuxhall would return to the league in 1952. Getting called up to MLB from Double-A is not impossible, but the more likely scenario is that any of these guys who puts up a huge first half would earn a promotion to Triple-A and put himself on the doorstep of a big-league call-up. Will your squad's best young players be breaking camp with the team? Will your squad's best young players be breaking camp with the team? For this piece, lets take a closer look at the 10 youngest players to ever debut in MLB. Please logout and login again. Win Expectancy, Run Expectancy, and Leverage Index calculations provided by Tom Tango of InsideTheBook.com, and co-author of The Book: Playing the Percentages in Baseball. Im just happy I hit the ball, Upton told the St. Petersburg Times after his first game, during which he wore No. As a 17-year-old, he swatted a sac fly in one plate appearance in an 18-9 loss to the Senators. Just to put his age in perspective, consider this: Franco wears a No. It's still the youngest MLB debut in history, and it's unlikely to be broken. Strikeouts would be a benchmark in a career in which he led the league seven times, including 1946 when he struck out 348. He led the NL in home runs six times, topped 100 RBI nine times and was named to 11 All-Star teams in his career. He went 0-for-2 in a Dodgers loss to the Phillies. . Some high school data is courtesy David McWater. Predicting when top 2023 prospects will make their MLB debuts. His long rumored battles with alcohol seemed to get the best of him, as he was sapped of his health and prodigious power. Foxx would go on to establish himself as one of the greatest sluggers in baseball history, amassing 534 home runs and 1,922 RBI over 20 seasons. Not the greatest start for the man with the fiery temperament, but he'd go on to hit 509 home runs and bat .292 lifetime, while winning a World Series title and being selected to nine all-star games. . Hell make his big league debut on Tuesday at the ripe old age of 20 years and 113 days. Logan Sargeant, First American F1 Driver Since 2015, Ready for Debut MLB 1 . But in the 96 games he played that season, he hit .267 with 13 home runs, starting a career that would see him become one of the most beloved Yankees ever with a rookie season that rivals many of those on this list of youngsters. Scott Kazmir: 20 years, 212 daysDebut: Aug. 23, 2004. He would only appear in the big leagues four more times in his career, compiling a 1-0 record and a 5.87 ERA from late 1943-1944. He spent parts of four more seasons in the Minors, steadily working his way up and moving into a full-time relief role in 2016. 35,010: 4.16: Sports: While he only played one game with the team in 1944, it was a less-than-ideal MLB debut. Bryce Harper has taken Major League Baseball by storm at the tender age of 19 years old, which got us thinking about the most notable teenage debuts in the history of the game. results. The APFA became the NFL two years later on June 24, 1922, and expanded to 18 teams. Of the youngest MLB players, Alex George is in the minority of those who played all of their MLB games as minors. Well, Franco is not only younger than every other player in the big leagues, but he's also younger than all the players in Triple-A. MLB refers to the league made up of the post-2000 merger of the American and National Leagues. Alex Rodriguez remains MLB's last 18-year-old (he appeared in 13 games as an 18-year-old with the 1994 Mariners ), and before him, you have to go back to Jose Rijo with the 1984 Yankees. Whether out of a desire for youthful exuberance and energy, or financial concerns with signing more established players, there appears to be a new wave of youngsters taking Major League Baseball by storm. He still remains the youngest American Leaguer to play in baseball's modern era. Here's Call to the Pen's round two of MLB trivia, taking a look at the youngest records in MLB history. Rankings of Negro League players should consider that Negro League data is not complete. All major league baseball data including pitch type, velocity, batted ball location, and play-by-play data provided . Hank Ruszkowski, C: 19 years, 158 days in 1945 (Indians)In the same game Cass Michaels started as a teenager, Ruszkowski went 2-for-3 in an Indians loss. Consolo had debuted as an 18-year-old in April 1953, but after Opening Day. In that 1916 season, Hornsby hit .313 with 15 triples. Nationals star Juan Soto was the fifth-youngest player on any National League roster for Opening Day 2022. His abilities stood up as he got older and as the player pool deepened after the war, and Nuxhall played for 16 seasons, owning the Reds record for most games pitched by a left-hander. But after five games with the team, George was relegated to the minor leagues and never played in the MLB again. Use of this website (including any and all parts and components) constitutes your acceptance of these, He was an extreme outlier case involving the Rule 5 Draft. But Im doing my due diligence and mentioning them anyway. The lefty flew through the Minors, joining Tampa Bays Double-A Montgomery affiliate after the 2004 Trade Deadline, then skipping Triple-A to make his debut in a 9-0 win over the Mariners in Seattle. He pinch hit and struck out in the eighth inning of win over the Chicago White Sox. RHP Casey Mize, Detroit Tigers (Age: 24) The No. He made little impact at the big league level, earning 11 plate appearances through the end of the 1955 season, but only getting one hit, while striking out seven times. But more importantly, Ott is also a 12-time All-Star and a World Series champion. OK, so he only pitched in 4 games (started three), but went 2-1 with a 3.91 ERA. Following the 1956 season, he pitched seven more years in the minor leagues, failing to win another chance at the big leagues. On May 1, 1925, the teenage Foxx would enter the game against the Washington Senators as a pinch hitter, and he began his Hall of Fame career with a single. He played in his first Opening Day in 1945, going 0-for-4 in a Phillies loss to the Dodgers. Here are the 10 youngest players opening the season in the big leagues: 1. But despite the accomplishment, McKee would never see action. As time has gone on, the teenage debut has become rarer, which makes Harper's ascendance all the more remarkable. The Marlins have a ton of young pitchers zooming through their system, but Perez might be the crown jewel. Conigliaro went on to hit 24 home runs that season, which is still the mark for a teenager in a single season. He started as No. Occasionally, Scheib, who was gifted with a bat in his hands, was used as a pinch hitter and reserve outfielder, in order to take advantage of his offensive prowess. He hit ninth in a Brewers loss to the Red Sox. Another short-lived World War II major leaguer, Vern Freiburger earned a call-up on September 6, 1941. He played most of 1945 in the minors before being drafted into military service for the majority of 1946. Trout was just two months shy of his 20th birthday when he debuted for the Angels in July of last year, and was considered by most MLB scouts as the best prospect in all of baseball, even besting fellow phenom Bryce Harper. Having just turned 21 last month, Franco remains the youngest player in MLB despite having already posted a 43-game on-base streak and having already signed a $182 million contract extension.. Like Alex George, Rogers McKees baseball career was short-lived. Perez is the most intriguing player considered for this entire exercise. Following the 2020 World Series, Cruz became a free agent. Not on a 40-man roster, but young prospects already in Double-A: Braves OF Michael Harris (3/7/01)Cardinals 1B Malcom Nunez (3/9/01)Rays RHP Taj Bradley (3/20/01)Yankees SS Anthony Volpe (4/28/01)White Sox SS Jose Rodriguez (5/13/01)Orioles SS Gunnar Henderson (6/29/01)Mets C Francisco Alvarez (11/19/01)Blue Jays SS Orelvis Martinez (11/19/01)Cardinals 3B Jordan Walker (5/22/02)Marlins RHP Eury Perez (4/15/03). and let him make his MLB debut . Although teenagers younger than 19 have been rare in the MLB, some have managed to accomplish this feat with a lot of them being called up due to the World War. Robin Yount, SS: 18 years, 201 days in 1974; 19 years, 204 days in 1975 (Brewers)Younts Major League debut came on Opening Day in 1974 as an 18-year-old. Though his career would end prematurely, Jimmie Foxx remains a legend of the game today. Crawford went 1-for-4 with two RBIs in his debut. Born on March 1, 2001, he was tagged as one of the best prospects in Major League Baseball. Making his Major League debut as a reliever on September 24, 1919, Lefty Weinert got shelled, allowing 11 hits and nine runs in four innings. He went 2-for-3 in a Cardinals win over the Pirates. As such, this Wander fun fact seemed especially ripe for further exploration. 15. Brooks Robinson, 3B: 19 years, 332 days in 1957 (Orioles)The Hall of Famer debuted in September 1955 as an 18-year-old, but started his first Opening Day in 1957 before turning 20 in May. 23 players age 22 or younger have put up a 125 OPS+ since 2000, more than the previous three decades combined (20). The sixth overall pick in the 2000 Draft, Baldelli arrived with so much promise on Opening Day in 2003 after playing only 290 games in the Minors. Former New York Yankees teammates Babe Ruth, right, and Lou Gehrig pose together at a spring training game in St. Petersburg, Fla., March 16, 1935 as . Bob Kennedy, 3B: 19 years, 242 days in 1940 (White Sox)Kennedy hit leadoff for the White Sox and went 0-for-4 in a 1-0 loss to Bob Feller and the Indians. Mauch played in five games that season and did not return to the Majors until 1947 as a 21-year-old. . Tatis is the eighth-youngest position player to start on Opening Day in the last 50 seasons -- six individuals did so, including Robin Yount twice. The Mets were roundly criticized for trading Kazmir, their first-round pick in 2002, to get Victor Zambrano. A scout watching him take batting practice at the tender age of 15 remarked that he would take number one overall spot in the draft that day. Heading into that season, Upton was the No. Cease posted a 14-8 record, 2.20 ERA , and 227 strikeouts across 184 innings (32 starts . He remained involved with the team for years before becoming the Twins' manager. This surely has to do with expectation and hope - hope, specifically, for another Mickey Mantle, probably the highest profile player to debut as a teenager. Gaudin began his 11-year big league career by going 3-2 with a 4.25 ERA in 41 outings over two seasons with the Devil Rays. His favorite position is shortstop. Well, I guess 18 if you count going to Candlestick Park in San Francisco for an NFL exhibition game. He finished third in AL Rookie of the Year voting with a .264/.329/.420 season and 16 home runs. After another All-Star season in 1941, Foxx fell from grace as he struggled mightily through the 1942 season. Granny Hamner, SS: 17 years, 356 days in 1945 (Phillies)Hamner debuted in September 1944, in part because many players were fighting in World War II and there were roster spots available. Heres a look at the earliest debuts, by age, in franchise history. After spending four years in Oakland's minor leagues, Cruz made his MLB debut in 2005 with the Milwaukee Brewers. Watson and Mayer could be particularly quick movers, la Bobby Witt Jr. Volpes sensational breakout in 2021 (.294/.423/.604 at two Class-A levels) seemed to be at least part of the calculus behind New York's preference to avoid committing long-term to any of the top free-agent shortstops in the winter. Through 0.2 innings, Nuxhall finished with a 67.50 ERA with zero strikeouts while giving up five runs to the eventual World Series champion St. Louis Cardinals. He played a full season for Triple-A Durham in 2005 then returned in '06 as a third baseman, split the 07 season between center field and second base then moved to center full-time for the Rays in 08. All of them have been position players -- the youngest pitcher on record to start on Opening Day was Catfish Hunter at 20 years, 4 days old in 1966. In 153 games with the Rays, Franco has hit 13 home runs, collected 72 RBIs, and stolen 10 bases, while maintaining a career-high .282 batting average. Michael Vick holds the record since 2000 with a 4.33 time. Ed Kranepool, RF: 18 years, 152 days in 1963 (Mets)Kranepool made his debut in September 1962 for the Mets, then started his first Opening Day the following season. D-backs SS Jordan Lawlar (7/17/02)Red Sox SS Marcelo Mayer (12/12/02)Marlins SS Kahlil Watson (4/16/03)Nationals SS Brady House (6/4/03). . The high marks include a 4.45 by Justin Fields at Ohio State's pro day when the combine was canceled that year due to COVID-19. It would be the only game he would ever pitch in the big leagues. The right-hander is best remembered for his second stint with the Rays as a key veteran in their bullpen from 2008-10. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter to read them first! One of the most exciting things about the start of the 2022 season is the incredible group of tippy-top prospects who made Opening Day rosters, including Bobby Witt Jr., Julio Rodriguez, Spencer Torkelson and Hunter Greene. It didn't really predict the 18-8 record he'd have the following year, or the fact that he'd go on to be the home run king for about 50 years. IF Luis Garcia, Washington Nationals Born: May 16, 2000 (20 years old) Despite not yet playing above the Double-A level, Garcia joined the MLB roster last August for a Washington Nationals team that has never been shy about promoting players at a young age. Alex Rodriguez become a free agent as a 25-year-old in the 2000-2001 offseason, and if wasn't for his recent contract extension, Felix Hernandez would have been a free agent next winter at age 25 . Rogers McKee Age of debut: 16 Years, 11 Months, and 2 Days Debuting Team: Philadelphia Phillies Date of Debut: August 18, 1943 Position: Pitcher photo source: By SBNation.com, Fair use, He would pitch eight years with the Tigers, another five with Cleveland, and part of one with the Orioles in his final season. Overall, Michaels hit .262 in his big league career with a solid .702 OPS for a utility player. During his brief stint with stardom, the Rangers averaged 27,000 fans during his home starts, and just 6,000 fans the rest of the time. He was the league leader in home runs in six different seasons. He would sit out the entire 1943 season, and played only sparingly upon his return for the 1944 and 1945 seasons. On that day, he hurled three innings against the Philadelphia Phillies, allowing one run on two hits and three walks. Following the conclusion of the 1944 season, Osgood was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in that year's minor league draft, but never again reached the Major Leagues. He entered late in a 12-1 defeat by the Giants, subbing into the game as a defensive replacement at third, and going hitless in one at-bat. Alvarado made his professional debut during his age-17 season, the first of his two years in the Venezuelan Summer League. Following the 1944 season, Miksis joined the Navy and served for 2 years before resuming his big league career in 1946. He also may or may not have fallen asleep during a game in his final season. 2023 Suedtiroltranser. Appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated at the age of 16 with the caption "The Chosen One." He started as a shortstop, moved to the outfield, and never missed a beat along the way. 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Career would end prematurely, Jimmie Foxx remains a legend of the youngest American Leaguer to in...
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