Many kids emulate their parents. Why? Most likely genetics, a comfort with the familiar, and a desire to emulate one’s parents all play a role. Perhaps the most visible followers of their parents are athletes.
Baseball has long been a sport with a number of second generation players, with many of them becoming stars. Bobby Bonds gave us the talented and enigmatic Barry Bonds. Ken Griffey Jr. is a HOFer, and even got to play with his dad in Seattle. Sandy Alomar had two great baseball playing kids. And these are just a few examples. But in 2021, baseball seems to be busting at the seems with proud MLB dads sitting in the stands.
The best second generation players in MLB
With not just a lot of second generation players but also some of the most popular players being sons of former MLBers, it lets the mind wonder, could a team of second generation players be fielded? How would it do? While there are not enough players to form a full team, check out this starting 9, along with a starting pitcher, relief pitcher, and even a second generation manager to round things out! This is a group that could certainly take on most Major League teams in a winner take all Wild Card game.
1B – Vlad Guerrero Jr.
Vlad’s famous dad is probably the best known of anyone on this list, having made the Hall of Fame. Junior is having his best season yet right now, with 23 home runs. Vlad Jr.’s ceiling is very high, but he may just exceed it. In 2021, Vlad is having an MVP style year, which would give him some hardware to equal his father, who won the award in 2004.
Best year: 2.1 War in 2019 (WAR stats courtesy of Baseball Reference)
Dad’s best year: 7.4 in 1998
2B – Adalberto Mondesi
Mondesi is a different type of player than his home run hitting father. A base stealer by trade, Adalberto doesn’t have quite the same power as his dad, Raul. Raul was in the majors for 13 years, best known for his time with the Dodgers, and winning the Rookie of the Year in 1994 (the third of the Dodgers’ five straight ROYs). Adalberto is now primarily a shortstop, but he’ll get the nod at second for this fictional team because of previous experience there earlier in his career.
Best WAR: 2.2 in 2018
Dad’s Best Year: 5.7 in 1997
SS – Fernando Tatis, Jr.
While there is a lot of second generation talent at shortstop, you can’t go against Tatis. He is not only the most electrifying player in the game, his stats are also at the top of the majors this year as well, leading to a possible MVP award in both leagues going to second generation players. Tatis’ father, a third basemen, played in almost 1,000 MLB games and is best known for hitting two grand slams in one inning. Tatis Jr. though has already outshone his father when it comes to star power, and looks primed to have an otherworldly career. Given that he was in the top 1% in the league in exit velocity last year per Baseball Savant, and was in the top five in the league in home runs in 2020, he would provide a lot of power in the middle of the order for the second generation team.
Best WAR: 4.2 in 2019
Dad’s Best Year: 3.0 in 1999
3B – Ke’Bryan Hayes
Hayes has spent most of this year on the injured list, but since returning on June 3, he has looked strong (let’s just forget about the baserunning gaffe against the Dodgers). One of the most heralded young players out there, he plays the same position as his father, Charlie Hayes, the one time regular who is best remembered for his time with the Yankees when he caught the last out of the 1996 World Series. Ke’Bryan will likely be a mainstay for a while, as he was listed as the top prospect in the Pirates farm system per MLB.com. The Pirates sure are hoping so.
Best WAR: 1.9 in 2020
Dad’s Best Year: 3.3 in 1993
C – Austin Romine
Romine has now spent time with the Yankees, Tigers, and Cubs. A solid catcher, he is currently on the IL, so hasn’t been able to back up Wilson Contreras all that much. Romine’s father played as a utility man for the Boston Red Sox, and Romine is also a member of the MLB siblings club, as his brother Andrew is a shortstop with the Twins organization.
Best WAR: 1.3 in 2018
Dad’s Best Year: 0.3 in 1990