Who are best teenagers to play in MLB? See who new proposal would have affected
Who are best teenagers to play in MLB? See who new proposal would have affected
Logan Newman, USA TODAYFri, June 19, 2026 at 9:06 PM UTC
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A new proposal by Major League Baseball to its amateur entry system would make U.S.-based high school players ineligible for the draft.
Currently, athletes may declare for the draft following high school or after their junior year of college. This proposal, part of collective bargaining negotiations with the MLB Players Association, would change eligibility to begin after the sophomore collegiate season.
The league argues that a college-centered pipeline would allow prospects to benefit from a college education and an "elite development environment." The MLBPA rebutted that the proposal would cost players hundreds of millions of dollars per year and "cripple the next generation of players," according to ESPN.
Many of MLB's best players have jumped to the minor leagues straight from high school. Future Hall of Famers Clayton Kershaw, Mike Trout and Freddie Freeman are among such whose rapid development within the minor leagues propelled them to success.
On occasion, a player has debuted in the big leagues as a teenager. Alex Rodriguez was first called up at the age of 18, and hit three home runs before his 20th birthday. Trout hit his first home run at age 19; Konnor Griffin broke into the big leagues this year shortly before he turned 20, and hit his first career home run on his 20th birthday.
And once or twice a generation, a teenager has taken the MLB world by storm, showing that he doesn't just have a bright future, but that the future of MLB has already arrived.
Here are the 10 best teenagers in MLB history.
Dwight Gooden - Mets pitcher 7/6/1993.1. Dwight Gooden, 1984
A 17-9 record with a 2.60 ERA and 276 strikeouts over 218 innings would be a Cy Young candidate in today's league. For Dwight Gooden in 1984, it was a 19-year-old starting out a Hall of Fame career. That strikeout mark still stands as the record for rookies, and Gooden finished in second place for Cy Young voting with the New York Mets.
2. Mel Ott, 1928
The New York Giants legend started his MLB career at the age of 17, where he hit 23-60 (.383) and drove in four runs. He hit his first run at age 18 and went 46-180 (.282). At age 19, he became an everyday player and found his groove, hitting 18 home runs and 77 RBI while slashing .322/.397/.524.
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Oct 21, 1976; Bronx, NY, USA; FILE PHOTO; Cincinnati Reds pitcher Gary Nolan (38) on the mound against the New York Yankees during game four of the 1976 World Series at Yankee Stadium. Cincinnati defeated New York 7-2 to win the World Series in four games. Mandatory Credit: Dick Raphael-USA TODAY Sports3. Gary Nolan, 1967
Gary Nolan debuted at the age of 18 and turned in what would be one of his finest seasons on the mound, going 14-8 with a 2.58 ERA and 206 strikeouts in 226.2 innings pitched for the Cincinnati Reds. In his eight starts before his 19th birthday, he compiled a 2.37 ERA and hurled his first shutout. He finished third in Rookie of the Year and had a WAR of 6.3.
Apr 1, 2013; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals left fielder Bryce Harper (34) receives the rookie of the year award before the game at Nationals Park. The Nationals won 2 - 0. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports4. Bryce Harper, 2012
Bryce Harper became a high school sensation with his power. He showed his hitting translated immediately for the Washington Nationals. As a 19-year-old, he made the All-Star Game, was Rookie of the Year, and his 22 home runs with a slashing line of .270/.340/.477 and a WAR of 5.2, the best for a teenager since Gooden 30 years earlier.
Sep 21, 2019; Cleveland, OH, USA; General overall view of statue of Cleveland Indians former pitcher Bob Feller at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports5. Bob Feller, 1938
At age 17, Bob Feller had a 3.34 ERA and a shutout over 14 games (eight starts) with the Cleveland Indians. As an 18-year-old, he more than doubled his innings total, going 9-7 with a 3.39 ERA. And as a 19-year-old, he made his first All-Star game, going 17-11 with a 4.08 ERA and leading the league with 240 strikeouts across 277.2 innings, a record that still stands among MLB teenagers.
May 21, 2018; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals left fielder Juan Soto (22) takes the field before the game against the San Diego Padres at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports6. Juan Soto, 2018
The MLB proposal would institute an international draft, which would have affected Juan Soto, who signed with the Washington Nationals at age 16. By age 19, he was in the bigs, bashing 22 home runs and 70 RBI with a slash line of .292/.406/.517. He finished second in Rookie of the Year.
May 29, 1989; Bronx, NY, USA; FILE PHOTO; Seattle Mariners outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. in action against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Photo By USA TODAY Sports (c) Copyright USA TODAY Sports7. Ken Griffey Jr., 1989
One of the most hyped baseball prospects ever and most inspirational for modern day, Ken Griffey Jr. hit 16 home runs, drove in 61 RBI and had 16 steals for the Seattle Mariners when he was just two years removed from being drafted as a 17-year-old. He finished third in Rookie of the Year voting.
Sept 14, 2007; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners pitcher Felix Hernandez watches an infield fly against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in the 5th inning at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports8. Felix Hernandez, 2005
Felix Hernandez debuted as the youngest pitcher in 21 years when he opened for the Seattle Mariners in August 2005. Over his 12-game rookie season, he had a 2.67 ERA with 77 strikeouts, going at least seven innings 10 times, and then snuck in one more start in 2006 the day before his 20th birthday, allowing one run in five innings pitched.
Jun 1967; Unknown location, USA; FILE PHOTO; Boston Red Sox outfielder Tony Conigliaro at bat during the 1967 season. Mandatory Credit: Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports9. Tony Conigliaro, 1964
In the second game of Tony Conigliaro's career, and his first at-bat at Fenway Stadium, the 19-year-old Boston Red Sox player hit his first career home run. He'd do so another 23 times before he turned 20, finishing his rookie season with 24 homers, 52 RBI, and a .290 batting average with a .530 slugging percentage.
10. Walter Johnson, 1907
Walter Johnson pitched 11 complete games, two shutouts, and had a 1.88 ERA over his 14 appearances (12 starts) as a 19-year-old in 1907. One of the all-time greats, he had 71 strikeouts in 110.1 innings pitched, though his Washington Nationals offense didn't provide a ton of support, as he went 5-9.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: How MLB proposal would have reshaped baseball, from Mel Ott to Dwight Gooden
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