Second Generation Players Rule MLB
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
The Outfield
OF – Cody Bellinger
A former MVP, Bellinger is a bona fide star. He’s versatile, having already had a 40 homer season and also winning a gold glove. New Yorkers may remember Cody’s dad, Clay, who played for two world champion Yankees teams and an Angels team that also won the World Series. Cody has already eclipsed his father as far as stats and recognition goes, and his star is going to rise for a long time.
Best WAR: 8.7 in 2019
Dad’s Best Year: 0.2 in 2000
OF – Joc Pederson
Pederson is best known for his Home Run Derby heroics. Much lesser known about him is the fact that his father also played in the majors, though for just a sip more than a cup of coffee. Stu Pederson played just eight MLB games with the Dodgers in 1985. His son, however, would play many more games in blue and white. Joc was drafted by those same Dodgers and played with the Dodgers over 7 seasons, including making an All Star game.
Best WAR: 3.4 in 2016
Dad’s Best Year: -0.1 in 1985
OF – Cavan Biggio
Another Blue Jay fills the ranks, with Cavan Biggio making the lineup. Biggio has been playing more third base in 2021, but this second generation team needs outfield help, and he has experience there as well. Biggio’s dad is another all-time great, a HOFer who played his whole career with the Astros, mostly at second base (but don’t forget his time at catcher too). The younger Biggio’s career is still in its nascent stages, but his outlook is promising. Though his 2021 numbers so far are not stellar, he is an on-base machine, and will be filling a spot in the Blue Jays lineup for a long time.
WAR: 3.0 in 2019
Dad’s best year: 9.4 in 1997
DH, Starting Pitcher, Relief Pitcher & Manager
DH – Bo Bichette
With Tatis Jr. helming SS, Bichette will be a solid DH. Following in his all-star father’s footsteps, Bichette has played well so far since being called up in 2019. His father’s career started out with stints with the Angels and the Brewers, but really hit its stride when he became an inaugural member of the Colorado Rockies. Dante made four All Star teams with the Rockies, and led the NL in hits, HR, RBI, and Slugging in 1995. He narrowly missed winning the MVP, when Barry Larkin was surprisingly chosen.
Best WAR: 2.4 in 2019
Dad’s Best Year: 3.0 in 1993
P – Lance McCullers, Jr.
Surprisingly, there aren’t as many starting pitchers as one might expect who have had MLB playing dads. McCullers tops the list here though. McCullers was a key part of the 2017 Astros World Series team, relying on a mix of five pitches. His father was also a pitcher, though he was a reliever, for the Padres, Yankees, Tigers, and Rangers.
Best WAR: 2.1 in 2015
Dad’s Best Year: 3.3 in 1986
RP – Cal Quantrill
Pitching is a thin position when it comes to second generation players. Quantrill can pitch in relief, as he has shown with the Indians, though he has the stuff to start. Quantrill’s dad pitched over 14 seasons, with his best year coming in 2001, when he won 11 games and made the AL All Star team as a Blue Jay.
Best WAR: 0.8 in 2020
Dad’s Best Year: 3.2 in 1997
dark. Next. Three managers that should be on the hot seat
Manager – Aaron Boone
Not only are there a lot of second generation players, but there are also second generation managers, with Aaron Boone and David Bell both managing in 2021. Boone is selected here as he has seen some success so far in his short time in New York as manager, with a managing record of 274-181. Boone’s father, Bob, also managed, taking the helm for the Royals and the Reds, amassing a record of 371-444.