If I were a general manager and I could build a team with any current Major Leaguers, these are the players that I would choose. Realize that I’m building a club to be successful for the long-haul, so I was looking for youth and future-potential.  

C - Joe Mauer

Won the AL batting-title as a 23-year-old last season in Minnesota. The only thing more impressive than his batting average is Mauer’s sideburns. On his way to a Hall-of-Fame caliber career.

1B - Ryan Howard

Followed up his Rookie-of-the-Year campaign in 2005 with a 58-homer, 148-rbi effort in his mind-boggling second-season. Still just 27, Howard is already one of baseball’s most feared hitters.

2B - Howie Kendrick

The 23-year-old hit .285 in a 267 at-bat rookie season with the LA Angels. The Florida-native who played three different positions last season has the ability to win a batting-title in the future.

3B - Ryan Zimmerman

The best player in D.C., Zim won’t turn 23 until the last weekend of the 2007 season. A top-5 fielding infielder in baseball, the former UVA star smashed 20-homers and drove in a team-high 110-runs in 2006  

SS - Jose Reyes

Still just 23, Reyes has become baseball’s most exciting player. Broke out by hitting .300 and stealing a league-leading 64 bases in his 4th MLB season. The best table-setteing spark-plug in a long while.

LF - Matt Holliday

In 2006 the 27-year-old belted 34 long-balls, knocked-in 114-runs, and hit .326 in the most impressive season of his young career. Possesses great power. He’ll be an annual all-star for the next decade-plus.

CF - Carl Crawford

I know he’s a LF but I couldn’t not put him on my team. The game’s 2nd-most exciting player behind Reyes. Crawford hit .305/18/77 last season while stealing 58-bases. As scary as it is, he’s still improving

RF - Nick Markakis

The 22-year-old had a stellar rookie season in 2006. He hit 16-homers and drove in 62-runs while hitting .292, and even had a three-homer game in his inaugural season. Expect Markakis to hit at least 25 HR’s in 2007.