MLB teams now call up prospects much earlier, so it’s important to keep track of the sport’s promising young players.
The youngest player in MLB history was Joe Nuxhall, who debuted for the Cincinnati Reds on June 10, 1944, at age 15. Nuxhall’s extremely early major league selection was the exception rather than the rule, but there are still plenty of players proving that sometimes career success comes sooner rather than later.
Below is a list of the youngest players this season based on their age as of Sept. 22, 2026:
Ranking Youngest MLB Players in 2026
| PLAYER | TEAM | AGE |
|---|---|---|
| Ethan Salas | Padres | 20 years, 113 days |
| Konnor Griffin | Pirates | 20 years, 151 days |
| Colt Emerson | Mariners | 21 years, 64 days |
| Didier Fuentes | Braves | 21 years, 97 days |
| George Lombard Jr. | Yankees | 21 years, 112 days |
| Walker Jenkins | Twins | 21 years, 215 days |
| Max Clark | Tigers | 21 years, 275 days |
| Luis Lara | Brewers | 21 years, 309 days |
| Michael Arroyo | Mariners | 21 years, 323 days |
| Lazaro Montes | Mariners | 21 years, 335 days |
| Bryce Eldridge | Giants | 21 years, 337 days |
Who is the Youngest MLB Player in 2026?
San Diego Padres catcher Ethan Salas is the youngest player to appear in the majors at this point in the 2026 season.
Yearly Records for Youngest MLB Players
| Year | Player | Team | Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Didier Fuentes | ATL | 20 |
| 2024 | Jackson Chourio | MIL | 20 |
| 2023 | Junior Caminero | TBR | 19 |
| 2022 | Francisco Alvarez | NYM | 20 |
| 2021 | Wander Franco | TBR | 20 |
| 2020 | Luis Garcia Jr. | WSN | 20 |
| 2019 | Elvis Luciano | TOR | 19 |
| 2018 | Juan Soto | WSN | 19 |
| 2017 | Rafael Devers | BOS | 20 |
| 2016 | Julio Urias | LAD | 19 |
| 2015 | Adalberto Mondesi | KCR | 19 |
| 2014 | Dilson Herrera | NYM | 20 |
| 2013 | Jurickson Profar | TEX | 20 |
| 2012 | Jurickson Profar | TEX | 19 |
| 2011 | Mike Trout | LAA | 19 |
| 2010 | Starlin Castro | CHC | 20 |
| 2009 | Madison Bumgarner | SFG | 19 |
| 2008 | Clayton Kershaw | LAD | 20 |
| 2007 | Justin Upton | ARI | 19 |
| 2006 | Felix Hernandez | SEA | 20 |
| 2005 | Felix Hernandez | SEA | 19 |
| 2004 | B.J. Upton | TBR | 19 |
| 2003 | Edwin Jackson | LAD | 19 |
| 2002 | Wily Mo Pena | CIN | 20 |
| 2001 | Wilson Betemit | ATL | 19 |
| 2000 | Jon Garland | CHW | 20 |
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