The All Star break has arrived for Major League Baseball, a time to reflect on the wonderful performances and achievements of the first half of the season; from breakthrough stars to established legends still at their peak. These are players that make America’s pastime what it is. And after all, who doesn't enjoy baseball? Because if you didn’t like Moneyball, you loved Bull Durham, and if not Bull Durham, then The Natural, or The Sandlot, or Angels in the Outfield, or A League of their Own, or Field of Dreams, and so on and so forth and etc. Anyway, right now I want to focus on the breakout stars. Because right now we have a core group of them that are set to reinvigorate the world of baseball for years to come.

Every now and then a selection of rookies emerges into the top grade that will set the tone for a generation of superstars. The 1984 NFL draft pool is one such example, the 2003 NBA draft pool another. Baseball is experiencing this at the moment, with a number of 20-22 year old players breaking through into the majors and not just playing well, but absolutely dominating players whom they no doubt grew up watching and admiring. And it’s not just the pure ability of these guys that is so amazing, but the breadth of their abilities. Outfielders Mike Trout (LA Angels) and Bryce Harper (Washington Nationals) are leading the pack.

These two guys, both 2012 Rookies of the Year in their respective sub-leagues, are superb contact hitters, crushing power hitters, speedy base runners and outstanding fielders.

Basically everything you can possibly ask in a player. And they are not alone. Manny Machado, the Baltimore Orioles infielder, is arguably a more complete player than those two superstars.

Yasiel Puig of the LA Dodgers almost made the All Star game despite only having played a month in the majors, he’s that good. Then there are guys like Jean Segura of Milwaukee, Wil Myers of Tampa Bay and Jurickson Profar of Texas. And on the other side of the ball (Interesting sidenote: Baseball and Cricket are the only two major sports where the defense has control of the ball) there are pitchers like St Louis’ Shelby Miller and Atlanta’s Julio Teheran, to name but a couple, who are throwing up a storm of strikes and strikeouts.

There are five major tools that scouts will look for when assessing players: the ability to hit for a high average, and also for power, the ability to catch and field the ball, throwing ability, and base running speed and skill. This new generation of players is full of players who excel not just in one or two of these areas, but in ALL of them. All of these attributes are objective, naturally, or otherwise all scouts would be out of a job. But one of the great enjoyments we take out of following sports is projecting our own ideas upon professional sports franchises. And if you were to rebuild an MLB team from scratch, young players like Harper, Trout and Machado are the ones that you want at the centre of your team for the next 15 years.

A true five-tool player capable of shining in the league is a rare occurrence. Willy Mays would be the benchmark. Most recently Alex Rodriguez (pre-Yankees more-so), Carlos Beltran and a young Barry Bonds could be realistically claimed to be so. Colorado’s Carlos Gonzalez and Milwaukee’s Ryan Braun are the closest current players to the mark. (Although Braun, Rodriquez and Bonds all had an extra 'tool' of their own which helped them in the power stakes, especially.)

These young dynamic players will change the face of baseball. Their brand of high energy, athletic baseball will be the future. Kids will look up to them, want to be like them. Young players will copy their style of play. This all round power and athleticism baseball will become the recognised trait of the very elite. Harper and Trout are already huge marketing assets for the league. The others soon to be. This is the kind of baseball that Hollwood sells us: Clutch hits that leave your jaw hanging; defensive plays that alter your perception of what even the best athletes are capable of; home runs that blow the lights out. The best thing is, unlike most prospects who are judged on their potential and upside, these lot are already recognised and dominating. This is what fans want to see from their ‘ballers. “Five-tooled players hitting dingers into the seats” as the repetitive ESPN promo acclaims. We now have a core group of young players who can do just that. Who will continue to do just that for years to come. The future is now for Major League Baseball, and we love it.

 - Wildcard