Like volcanoes rising from the ocean, the newest crop of baseball superstars are so good that they are drawing attention to areas with less attention than in recent years.<\/p>\n
These days, games in Baltimore, Kansas City, Pittsburgh, Phoenix, Seattle and Cincinnati have more eyes on them than they have in years. And it is not just the individual play creating a reason to watch; it is the often stellar team play that is being generated.<\/p>\n
As legends Todd Helton, Adrian Beltre and Joe Mauer are enshrined in the Hall of Fame this weekend, we\u2019re peering far in the distance.<\/p>\n
There are no guarantees of sustained success, but as the 2024 season hits the final two months, here are five players age 25 or under who stand out as potential Cooperstown inductees.<\/p>\n
GUNNAR HENDERSON, Baltimore Orioles<\/h2>\n
There are many reasons why the young Orioles have risen to one of the best teams in baseball, and Henderson is at the top of the list. A rookie-of-the-year award in 2023 was deserving, and this year has been even better with 28 home runs and a .956 OPS by the All-Star break.<\/p>\n
More than two decades after Cal Ripken Jr. retired, this generation of Orioles fans has a legitimate superstar at shortstop to call their own. According to FanGraphs, the only player who exceeded Henderson\u2019s 6.1 WAR at the break was Aaron Judge.<\/p>\n
BOBBY WITT JR., Kansas City Royals<\/h2>\n<\/section>\n\n![](\"https:\/\/images.deadspin.com\/tr:w-900\/1721481544746\")
Jul 19, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. (7) celebrates with team mates after the win over the Chicago White Sox at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports <\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n\nHe has baseball pedigree from his father, a pitcher, while his son has developed into a do-everything shortstop. Witt inherited his dad\u2019s arm and then further made his game his own with speed, a glove to envy, the ability to make contact, and sneaky power that helped him to a runner-up finish in the Home Run Derby<\/a>.<\/p>\nThe Royals are on the rise again, behind one of the best No. 2 hitters in the game. And to the delight of Royals faithful, Witt is signed through 2034, making him a player to build around.<\/p>\n
PAUL SKENES, Pittsburgh Pirates<\/h2>\n<\/section>\n\n![](\"https:\/\/images.deadspin.com\/tr:w-900\/1721481621777\")
Jul 16, 2024; Arlington, Texas, USA; National League pitcher Paul Skenes of the Pittsburgh Pirates (30) pitches against the American League in the first inning during the 2024 MLB All-Star game at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports <\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/p>\n\nTwo months in the major leagues does not make a Hall of Famer, but if any rookie pitcher has shown he has the stuff to reach Cooperstown one day, it is Skenes. Consistent fastballs at 102 mph do not exactly suggest longevity, but the big-bodied Skenes is not some concoction from a mechanics lab.<\/p>\n
After 11 starts, Skenes was not only an All-Star; he was the National League\u2019s starter<\/a>. He not only has delivered on his promise as the No. 1 selection in last year\u2019s draft, but he now has the intimidation factor<\/a> to add to his repertoire.\u00a0<\/p>\nJULIO RODRIGUEZ, Seattle Mariners<\/h2>\n<\/section>\n\n![](\"https:\/\/images.deadspin.com\/tr:w-900\/1721481737372\")
Jul 3, 2024; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Mariners center fielder Julio Rodriguez (44) stands in the dugout following a 4-1 loss against the Baltimore Orioles at T-Mobile Park. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports <\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n\nThe path to the top of the game is never linear, and Rodriguez spent the first half of this season navigating some twists and turns with numbers below projections: 10 home runs through 97 games before the All-Star break and a .690 OPS.<\/p>\n
He has baseball pedigree from his father, a pitcher, while his son has developed into a do-everything shortstop. Witt inherited his dad\u2019s arm and then further made his game his own with speed, a glove to envy, the ability to make contact, and sneaky power that helped him to a runner-up finish in the Home Run Derby<\/a>.<\/p>\n The Royals are on the rise again, behind one of the best No. 2 hitters in the game. And to the delight of Royals faithful, Witt is signed through 2034, making him a player to build around.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Two months in the major leagues does not make a Hall of Famer, but if any rookie pitcher has shown he has the stuff to reach Cooperstown one day, it is Skenes. Consistent fastballs at 102 mph do not exactly suggest longevity, but the big-bodied Skenes is not some concoction from a mechanics lab.<\/p>\n After 11 starts, Skenes was not only an All-Star; he was the National League\u2019s starter<\/a>. He not only has delivered on his promise as the No. 1 selection in last year\u2019s draft, but he now has the intimidation factor<\/a> to add to his repertoire.\u00a0<\/p>\n The path to the top of the game is never linear, and Rodriguez spent the first half of this season navigating some twists and turns with numbers below projections: 10 home runs through 97 games before the All-Star break and a .690 OPS.<\/p>\nPAUL SKENES, Pittsburgh Pirates<\/h2>\n<\/section>\n
Jul 16, 2024; Arlington, Texas, USA; National League pitcher Paul Skenes of the Pittsburgh Pirates (30) pitches against the American League in the first inning during the 2024 MLB All-Star game at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports <\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n
JULIO RODRIGUEZ, Seattle Mariners<\/h2>\n<\/section>\n
Jul 3, 2024; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Mariners center fielder Julio Rodriguez (44) stands in the dugout following a 4-1 loss against the Baltimore Orioles at T-Mobile Park. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports <\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n