Over the next few weeks RealGMBaseball will be holding our 2014 Major League Baseball 'Be The GM' Contest to determine which player would be the best selection to build a franchise around.

The contest, which is being brought to you by the Original Retro Brand, is described and previewed here: RealGM's 2014 'Be The GM' Contest. You'll want to check out the link for rules on how to enter to win a $50 Retro Brand gift card and to see the full contest schedule. 

Manny Machado of the Baltimore Orioles and Xander Bogaerts of the Boston Red Sox are featured in the first matchup. Voting will extend through the end of the first round.

Machado vs. Bogaerts

There are quite a few similarities between Machado and Bogaerts in the early part of their careers. They are both 21, currently playing third base and right-handed hitters. They are both played short in the Minor Leagues and could eventually move over to the position for their respective teams.

Machado is only four months older, but has nearly 800 more plate appearances. Baltimore first called him up in August 2012, while Boston didn't promote Bogaerts until last August. Machado was the third overall pick out of high school (Miami) in 2010. Bogaerts was signed out of Aruba as a free agent in 2009.

Despite being comparable in age, Machado is more polished and closer to his ceiling than Bogaerts, who has handled himself well but is still enduring some growing pains. Machado was an All-Star last July and finished ninth in the American League MVP voting. Bogaerts didn't enjoy individual success, butdid play in all six World Series games with the champion Red Sox in October.

Career Numbers:

Machado: .277/.307/.430 with 21 HR, 97 RBI, 8 SB, 7.8 WAR, .971 FLD&

Bogaerts: .272/.373/.371 with 2 HR, 10 RBI, 2 SB, 1.0 WAR, .972 FLD%

Vote In This Matchup: Machado or Bogaerts?

Next Matchup: May 7 -- Masahiro Tanaka vs. Evan Longoria

Don't forget to Tweet your pick along with #BeTheGM to be entered to win a $50 Retro Brand gift card.