MLB Team of the 2020s: What Could it Look Like?
As the 2019 MLB season approaches the end, we thought this would be a good time to look ahead and speculate what a potential starting nine would look like in the 2020s.
In 1999, there was Y2K. The end of the world would soon be upon us, the prognosticators said, with the internet crashing among other apocalyptic scenarios. The 2000s came and went with no such drama, as has the 2010s.
However, despite any struggles that the world has endured over the past ten years, we can all agree on one thing: this decade went by very quickly, as there are just four full months left until we experience the roaring twenties again. With every new decade, too, comes a new crop of talent in the sports world with seemingly endless potential ready to be fulfilled.
This past decade we saw those like Mike Trout ascend to greatness while others failed to accomplish what appeared to be their similar fate.
So, how can one predict those that could dominate the next decade? It’s not easy, but at FanSided we are going to try.
Here is the (potential) starting nine of the 2020s in MLB.
MLB Team of the 2020s
C: Joey Bart, San Francisco Giants
Catcher is probably the hardest position in baseball to accurately predict success in, with the physical and mental toll that consistent play at the position can take on those who live behind the dish. As a result, I have decided to place my bets on the #2 pick of the 2018 draft in Bart.
Selected as the heir apparent to Buster Posey, a high pick in his own right years ago, Bart shined in AA this seasons in the Giants’ system, hitting .316 in 22 games with 4 home runs during his age 22 season.
Wherever he starts his 2020 campaign, his quick progression through the ranks so far seems to show the amount of faith that the Giants have in Bart and a possibility that he could become a franchise cornerstone in the Bay in years to come.
1B: Pete Alonso, New York Mets
This one really should go without explaining, as the presumptive NL Rookie of the Year in 2019 has absolutely dominated Major League pitching in his first year, belting 44 home runs as of writing with a very respectable .268 average to boot on a Mets team that continues to qualify for a playoff spot.
While there is no shortage of power hitters in MLB these days, as record-shattering home run totals continue to show every year, Alonso has already shown himself to be one of the best of the bunch, something that could very well carry over for the 24-year-old into the next decade.
MLB Team of the 2020s
2B: Keston Hiura, Milwaukee Brewers
Going back to even when he was drafted, Keston Hiura has always been known as a pure hitter. His combination of contact and power at times reminds of a young Jeff Kent, something that the UC-Irvine alum has certainly shown in his time at the MLB level in 2019.
While he is currently on the IL as of writing, he has proven to be one of Milwaukee’s most electrifying bats, and something can be said for that on a team with Christian Yelich at the forefront.
From his walk-off home run against the Cubs to seemingly collecting base hits at will at times, Hiura could very well take advantage of a hitter-friendly Miller Park and become the best second baseman of the coming decade, even despite noticeable defensive struggles.
3B: Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Toronto Blue Jays
A young man who captured the hearts of MLB fans everywhere after his call-up and legendary Home Run Derby performance shortly after, Guerrero Jr. has the opportunity to be one of the faces of the game in the coming years.
From his oft-discussed physical figure to his natural charisma, not to mention his relation to one of the most popular players of the last generation, there is an awful amount to like about Vladdy Jr. that should lead to much success in the 2020s.
MLB Team of the 2020s
SS: Fernando Tatis Jr., San Diego Padres
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Another infield position, yet another Hall of Fame namesake. While Tatis Jr. could have easily been a dynamic duo partner of one Eloy Jimenez if it weren’t for some questionable front office work by the White Sox front office, Padres fans and players have to be more than happy that he is in their graces.
While he did suffer a back injury that kept him out for the rest of the 2019 season, his numbers (.317, 22 HR, 59 RBI) and exciting play style have endeared him to fans in not only San Diego, but around the league.
Outfielders
- Ronald Acuna Jr., Atlanta Braves
- Juan Soto, Washington Nationals
- Cody Bellinger, Los Angeles Dodgers
Now, the aforementioned Mike Trout still exists and should be in his prime for a good chunk of the 2020s, but he is just one of many outfielders, younger and older, that look to dominate in the coming decade.
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The three chosen, for example, have their own fair share of hardware from the last few seasons, from Rookie of the Year awards (Acuna Jr., Bellinger) as well as a (potential) MVP award for the Dodgers stud outfielder. Each have their own defining trait, with Acuna’s flashiness, Soto’s raw power and Bellinger’s signature uppercut swing making them stand out among the pack, and it definitely doesn’t hurt that they are pretty darn good at what they do as well.