Mookie Betts

Mookie Betts' parents might have been prophetic, as they christened their son with the initials of MLB - standing for both Markus Lynn Betts and Major League Baseball. From a young age, Betts enjoyed playing the sport, and quickly became a Tennessee-area high school star in the 2000s. As he neared his high school graduation in 2011, Betts was sought after numerous prestigious collegiate baseball programs. However, despite a commitment to the University of Tennessee, he eschewed college and went the pros. The Boston Red Sox drafted the budding star late in the 2011 Major League Baseball Draft. Playing shortstop and second base, he rose through the Red Sox's minor league system, and in 2014, he was called up to join the Red Sox. Second base was his preferred position, but the Red Sox already had a star there in Dustin Pedroia. Throughout his time on the team in 2014, Betts played multiple positions, eventually settling in as a center fielder. In 2015, he excelled on the Red Sox, though he moved to right field later in the season. Betts' 2016 season earned him his first All-Star selection, and he also reached 200 hits in a season for the first time.