Update On Active Players (2025)

With the conclusion of the 2025 MLB season and all the awards handed out, let's take another look at the best active players and their paths to Cooperstown. 

Locks 

Mike Trout had a little bit of a letdown season in 2025, but he still managed 26 homers and 87 walks in 130 games. He eclipsed both 400 homers and 1,000 RBI's this season, and should continue to add to what is already a Hall-worthy resume. 

Justin Verlander had a rough start to 2025 but turned in a 1.96 ERA across his final seven starts, finishing the campaign at 3.85. Regardless of how he does in the future, he has done enough to earn his Hall of Fame plaque, compiling 266 wins, 3,553 strikeouts, and three Cy Young Awards. 

Max Scherzer struggled to a 5.19 ERA in 17 starts this season due to various injuries, but he rebounded with a decent postseason as the Blue Jays captured the American League pennant. At age 41, Scherzer seems to be slowing down, but the three-time Cy Young winner has already done enough to secure his place in Cooperstown. 

Likely Candidates 

Freddie Freeman had another solid season in 2025, batting .295 with 24 homers and 90 RBI's at age 35. The first baseman has made five all-star teams in a row (nine total) and his counting stats are quickly adding up. He should make the Hall of Fame in due time. 

Nolan Arenado had a tough season in St. Louis, batting .237 with 12 home runs in 107 games. An eight-time all-star and ten-time Gold Glover at third, Arenado should still make it to Cooperstown, but probably won't sail in as easily as expected if he doesn't return to form. 

Manny Machado, in many ways Arenado's counterpart at third, enjoyed a productive 2025 season, bashing 27 homers and making his seventh all-star game. The 33-year old collected his 2,000th hit and scored his 1,000th run this season, and should have enough left to finish out a Hall-worthy career. 

Mookie Betts had an off year in 2025, slashing .258 / .326 / .406 (104 OPS+) with 20 home runs. While he will likely finish his career with Hall of Fame credentials, I would never vote for him due to his involvement in the Red Sox's cheating scandal in 2018. However, if Carlos Beltran is inducted this year, then Betts would almost certainly be a lock. 

Jose Altuve, on the other hand, seems to be innocent of illegal sign-stealing, despite his unpopularity. The 35-year old second baseman hit 26 homers in 2025 and is building a Hall of Fame resume. If he can withstand the cheating accusations, then he should be inducted. 

Jose Ramirez had another fantastic season in 2025, hitting 30 homers and stealing 44 bases to finish third in the AL MVP Award voting. One of the top hitters today, Ramirez scored his 1,000th run this year and should have several more productive years left. With a few more quality seasons to round out his counting stats, he should be able to make it to Cooperstown. 

Bryce Harper had a bit of a downturn this season but still produced, belting 27 homers and driving in 75 runs. At age 33, the two-time MVP should have time left to finish making a compelling case for Cooperstown. 

Aaron Judge had another historic season in 2025, leading the Majors in all three slash stats (.331 / .457 / .688) while clubbing 53 homers. Heading into his age-34 season, the seven-time all-star has shown no signs of slowing down, and could easily become a first ballot Hall of Famer. 

Corey Seager only played 102 games in 2025, but he still hit 21 homers and had the best defensive season of his career. At age 31 Seager is still a top hitter, and although his counting stats are a little low, he has plenty of time to round them out, as he is under contract until 2032. His 221 career homers are already ninth on the all-time list for shortstops, making him a likely future Hall of Famer. 

Francisco Lindor enjoyed his third straight 30-homer season in 2025 and sixth overall, hitting 31 dingers and scoring 117 runs for the Mets. One of the best shortstops in the game today, he should make the Hall of Fame if he can maintain his current pace for the duration of his contract (through 2031), which is very realistic. 

Juan Soto had another fine season in 2025, slashing .263 / .396 / .525 with 43 homers and 105 RBI's and finishing third in the NL MVP Award voting. He also surprised the game by leading the NL with 38 stolen bases, far surpassing his previous career high of 12. At age 27, the slugger already has 244 homers and six Silver Slugger awards, certainly putting him on a Hall of Fame trajectory if he can maintain his pace. 

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. powered the Blue Jays all the way to the World Series in 2025 before falling to the Dodgers. Heading into his age-27 season, Guerrero is under contract through 2039, giving him 14 more years to round out his case. If he even somewhat fulfills that contract, he should be on a fast track to join his old man in Cooperstown. 

Ronald Acuna Jr. struggled with injuries this year but still produced, batting .290 with 21 homers in 95 games. He just turned 28, so he has plenty of time to turn in a Hall of Fame career, but he needs to stay on the field in order to make a solid case. 

Shohei Ohtani had another mind-boggling season in 2025, smashing 55 home runs and posting a 2.87 ERA (in limited action) to take home his third straight MVP and the fourth of his career. He also collected his 1,000th career hit, and will be considered a lock on this list once he reaches his tenth MLB season, officially making him eligible for induction into the Hall. 

Jacob deGrom had a vintage season in 2025, starting 30 games for the first time since 2019 and posting a 2.97 ERA as the American League Comeback Player of the Year. He'll almost certainly reach 100 wins next year and should reach 2,000 strikeouts if he can maintain his health. There's no doubting the three-time Cy Young Award winner's pitching ability, and given the lessening emphasis on pitchers' counting stats and deGrom's impact on the game, he should make it to Cooperstown. 

Chris Sale produced when healthy this year, posting a 2.58 ERA and 165 strikeouts in 21 appearances (20 starts). A nine-time all-star and last year's NL Cy Young Award winner, Sale is still a top pitcher and should reach 3,000 career strikeouts. His 145 wins are a little slim in the context of the Hall, but as previously mentioned, Hall of Fame voters seem to be putting less emphasis on pitchers' counting stats due to increased bullpen use in today's game, so I'd say he's a likely Hall of Fame candidate. 

Kenley Jansen had another fine season in 2025, saving 29 games and compiling a 2.59 ERA for the Los Angeles Angels. He needs three more saves to eclipse Hall of Famer Lee Smith, and the only players ahead of him would be Mariano Rivera and Trevor Hoffman. Given the Hall's recent induction of Billy Wagner, Jansen should have no trouble getting in, although reaching 1,000 career innings would certainly help solidify his case. 

Wait And See 

Giancarlo Stanton had only 249 at bats this year, but he made them count, batting .273 with 24 home runs and a .594 slugging percentage. He currently has 453 career homers, but the rest of his counting stats (compiled as a poor outfielder and DH) are somewhat low. If he can produce for a few more seasons, perhaps reaching 2,000 hits and 500 home runs, then he should have a good chance at induction. If not, then the home runs alone won't get him there, as evidenced by the BBWAA's recent treatment of Fred McGriff and Gary Sheffield. 

J.T. Realmuto had a decent season in 2025 (.257 average, 12 homers), but he appears to be slowing down. A defense-first catcher with modest counting stats, I believe he could finish his career as a viable candidate, but due to a late start and the fact that catchers are grossly undervalued, he could have a tough time making it. 

Trea Turner turned in another strong season in 2025, winning his first NL batting title and stealing 36 bases en route to a fifth place finish in the MVP Award voting. At age 32, his counting stats are pretty thin, but he is still a top hitter and could finish rounding out a Hall of Fame career with a few more productive seasons. 

Salvador Perez had another fine season for the Royals, hitting 30 home runs (including his 300th) and driving in an even 100 runs (including his 1,000th). A franchise player in Kansas City and a consistent producer, Perez should have enough on his resume to merit a plaque, but due to a low OBP and WAR (tough on catchers), he may need a few more quality seasons to be sure. 

Gerrit Cole missed the entire 2025 season due to Tommy John surgery and will likely miss the start of 2026 as well. At age 35, he owns a 3.18 ERA and 153 career wins, but he is also short of 2,000 career innings. If he recovers well and has a couple more quality seasons, then he can be a viable candidate; anything less and he could be in trouble. 

Blake Snell made only eleven starts in 2025 due to injury, but he made the most of them, posting a 2.35 ERA. At age 33, he has four more years on his contract, and if he can stay healthy and effective for the duration of his deal, then he should have a decent chance at induction. 

Craig Kimbrel made 14 appearances this year between the Braves and Astros, posting a 2.25 ERA. Currently a free agent, his career seems to be hanging by a thread, and it would be tough to guarantee him a spot in Cooperstown with his current record (although not impossible). The recent induction of Billy Wagner will certainly help his case, as would another productive season or two. 

Aroldis Chapman surprised everybody in 2025, posting a career-best 1.17 ERA and 32 saves as he made his eighth all-star team. His counting stats are still a little thin, but he could definitely come around as a viable Hall of Fame candidate if he can pitch at a high level for a couple more seasons, which does not seem unlikely. 

Unlikely Candidates 

Christian Yelich also had a surprising season in 2025, hitting 29 home runs (his most since 2019) and driving in 103 runs (his most since 2018). The two-time batting champion and former MVP's chances at Cooperstown are still long, but a few more seasons like this and it could be a completely different story. 

As usual, Dansby Swanson was productive but unspectacular in 2025, batting .244 with 24 homers and 77 RBI's while playing good defense at shortstop. Across his career, Swanson has been consistently good but rarely great, and with an abundance of power-hitting shortstops in recent years, Swanson's type is losing appreciation. He could fall behind the others on the ballot and have trouble making it to Cooperstown. 

Ozzie Albies is coming off a down year, hitting only .240 with 16 homers in 157 games this season. After suffering a concerning wrist injury in 2024, many wondered if it would affect his power, and so far that seems to be the case. Albies just turned 29, but unless he has a few more 30-homer seasons in him, I think his Hall of Fame chances are very low. 

Zack Wheeler was enjoying a career year in 2025 before a blood clot was discovered in his pitching arm after an August start. The righthander has announced his intention to retire after his contract runs out in 2027, giving him at most two seasons to pull his case together. With only 283 career starts and 113 wins, I think he is an unlikely candidate at best. 

Aaron Nola struggled mightily in 2025, pitching to a 6.01 ERA in 17 starts due to injury and ineffectiveness. Heading into his age-33 season, Nola owns a career win-loss record of 109-89 and an ERA of 3.83, making his Hall of Fame chances very long indeed. 

Fallen Out Of Contention 

After a promising 2024 season, 38-year old Yu Darvish posted a 5.38 ERA in 15 starts this year before suffering a major UCL injury that will cost him all of 2026. A phenom pitcher in his youth, his chances were very long anyway, and after the events of this year it's safe to say that he's fallen out of contention for the Hall. 

Retirees 

Paul Goldschmidt played his final season in 2025 for the Yankees, batting .274 and scoring 76 runs. The 2022 NL MVP and two-time runner-up collected 372 career homers, 1,232 RBI's, and 2,190 hits while making seven all-star teams. He also won four Gold Glove awards and five Silver Sluggers. I think he has done enough for Cooperstown, but is not a lock; his chances with the BBWAA will likely depend on how crowded his ballots are, but I'd like to see him inducted eventually. 

Clayton Kershaw had an outstanding final season in the Majors, going 11-2 with a 3.36 ERA and taking home a World Series ring. The owner of a 223-96 career record, a 2.53 ERA, 3,052 strikeouts, and three Cy Young Awards, Kershaw is a lock for Cooperstown and a definite first-ballot selection. 

One Year Later

With the end of the season and all the awards officially handed out, let's take a look at where some active players are on their way to the Hall of Fame. 

Locks 

Mike Trout has already done enough to secure his plaque, but it's kind of annoying that he can't add much to his resume without getting hurt. He was leading the Majors in homers after 29 games before suffering a season-ending meniscus tear; as it stands he's only played 266 games in the past four seasons. I'd love to see him produce one or two more all-star seasons, but his Hall of Fame candidacy doesn't depend on it. 

Justin Verlander was simply dreadful this year, posting a 5.48 ERA across 17 starts. Heading into his age-42 season with 262 career wins, it seems highly unlikely that he'll get to 300, but he'll still make the Hall of Fame with little trouble. 

Max Scherzer battled through injuries to turn in a 3.95 ERA in nine starts, proving that he can still compete but not at his highest level. Currently a free agent, Scherzer plans to pitch next season, but he could retire right now and make the Hall on his first ballot. 

Clayton Kershaw had a rough 2024 season (4.50 ERA in seven starts) that was plagued by injuries and, perhaps, signs of age finally catching up to him. With the Dodgers loading their starting rotation beyond imagination this offseason, it's hard to predict what role Kershaw will play next year, but he secured his place in Cooperstown long ago. 

Likely Candidates 

Freddie Freeman had a bit of an off year by his standards (.282 / .378 / .476 slash line) but made up for it by capturing the World Series MVP Award on the strength of his four homers and 12 RBI's. While he still has a little work to do to round out his Hall of Fame case, he's only 35 and playing at a level high enough where I think he can get there. 

Nolan Arenado's production slid this year but didn't skid (.272 average, 16 homers in 152 games), showing that he can still contribute but that he's not what he once was. Given the strength of his peak and his defensive prowess, he'll probably be able to finish up a Hall-worthy career. 

Manny Machado had another fine year in 2024 (.275 average, 29 homers), capturing a Silver Slugger award. At age 31 he should have plenty of time for his counting statistics to come around, barring anything unforeseen. 

Mookie Betts spent some time on the IL with a broken hand, but still wound up with a relatively productive season (19 homers, 75 RBI's in 116 games) while playing three positions. At 32 he should have no trouble putting together a Hall-worthy resume; however, I wouldn't vote for him due to his involvement in the Red Sox's sign stealing scandal a few years ago. Cheaters don't deserve to be immortalized, whether they could have made it otherwise or not; unfortunately, given Carlos Beltran's momentum on the current BBWAA ballot, I'd say that opinion is small and unheeded. 

Jose Altuve is a little bit of a different story. While Betts has been forgiven and lauded for his exploits in the years since the scandal, there are still some who love to hate Altuve. However, there may be reason to believe that Altuve wasn't in on the scandal, and if he's treated with the same clemency as Betts when the time comes, he should be on track to get in. 

Bryce Harper turned in another 30 homers this year en route to his eighth all-star game. At age 32 he seems to be still at the top of his game, and should be able to put together a Hall of Fame career. 

Aaron Judge captured his second MVP in 2024, clubbing 58 homers (his third 50 homer season) and driving in 144 runs to run away with the award. Although he is short on counting statistics heading into his age-33 season, he's just so dominant that I think he'll be able to sail into Cooperstown even without the traditional counting stats. 

Corey Seager hit 30 homers for the third straight season in 2024, bringing him to an even 200 through his age-30 season. He still has work to do but certainly has the youth and stamina to round out his case. 

Francisco Lindor had a career season this year, ultimately finishing second behind Ohtani in the NL MVP race. Much like Seager, he has a ways to go before he can be considered Hall-worthy, but he has the talent to get there. 

Juan Soto hit a career-best 41 homers this year, teaming with Judge to form a pair comparable to Ruth and Gehrig. It is still early in his career but it looks like Soto will be one of the greatest players of his generation. 

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. had a strong season in 2024, batting .323 with 30 homers and 103 RBI's and earning his fourth straight all-star selection. He's still young and has only been playing for six seasons, but there's certainly a chance that he could join his old man in Cooperstown someday. 

Ronald Acuna Jr. struggled to build on his 2023 MVP campaign, batting .250 with four homers in 49 games before suffering a season-ending ACL tear. He has already shown that he has the talent to be a Hall of Famer; whether he has the consistency to be one remains to be seen. 

Shohei Ohtani is the most profitable athlete in history, as his fame truly spreads around the world. He took home his third MVP this year with 54 homers, and should be pitching again next year. He'll make it to Cooperstown on his first ballot. 

Chris Sale turned back the clock with his masterful performance in 2024, winning the NL triple crown with 18 wins, a 2.38 ERA, and 225 strikeouts en route to his first career Cy Young Award. Heading into his age-36 season, he has 138 career wins, but he can obviously still pitch and perhaps piling up wins aren't as important to the Hall as they used to be. That said, I'd say he'll probably end up in the Hall of Fame eventually. 

Gerrit Cole battled through injuries to post a 3.41 ERA in 17 starts in 2024, capping off his season with a strong World Series. Much like Sale, he has 153 wins and some fuel left in the tank, which should be enough to secure his plaque in the next few years. 

Wait And See 

Paul Goldschmidt had a rough 2024 season, hitting just .245 with 22 homers at the age of 36. He looked like a likely future Hall of Famer a couple years ago, and he can still make it if he comes back with one or two more strong seasons, but if he is indeed finished as a productive player, it'll be tough for him to get in with his current record. 

Giancarlo Stanton hit 27 homers this year, bringing him to 429 for his career. At age 35 I can see him reaching 500 homers, but given the BBWAA's recent rejection of Gary Sheffield and the strength of Stanton's overall resume, I can't be sure that it'll be enough to lock in his plaque. 

J.T. Realmuto produced when healthy in 2024, batting .266 with 14 homers in 99 games. Through his age-33 season, his overall counting statistics are pretty slim, but given the greatness of some of his individual seasons and his elite defense behind the plate, I think he has a shot to get in. I sure hope he does. 

Salvador Perez turned in another strong season at age 33, batting .271 with 27 homers and 104 RBI's and making his ninth all-star team. He was a key player in the Royals' amazing turnaround this season, and has always been a franchise player, winning a ring with the small-market club in 2015. Given his low OBP and general lack of counting statistics, I'm nervous that he'll end up short, but I think he can and should make it to the Hall eventually. 

Trea Turner had another strong season in 2024, batting .295 with 21 homers in 121 games and making his third all-star team. Heading into his age-32 season, his counting stats are still pretty short, but he has time and ability to produce a few more strong seasons and secure his spot in the Hall of Fame. 

Jose Ramirez had arguably the best season of his career this year, clouting 39 homers en route to his fifth career Silver Slugger. Like many of the others, he still has work to do, especially in the counting stats department, but he's only 32 and has a good shot to finish up his career as a Hall of Famer. 

Dansby Swanson had another solid season in 2024, banging out 16 home runs for the Chicago Cubs. His totals are a little skimpy through his age-30 season, and the Hall is becoming less appreciative of his type, but Swanson is still a star player and has time to fill out a Hall-worthy resume. 

Ozzie Albies struggled with a wrist injury this year, but still managed to be semi-productive (.251 average, 10 homers in 99 games). He seems to be on a Hall of Fame trajectory but a serious wrist injury could affect his power output for the wrest of his career, potentially jeopardizing his case. 

Jacob deGrom returned from Tommy John surgery in time to start three games near the end of the season, turning in a 1.69 ERA. There is no doubt to his pitching ability, both currently and throughout his career, but he still has only 84 wins through his age-36 season. If he can stay healthy and get to the century mark in victories, every win past that will help his chances at induction. 

Zack Wheeler had an outstanding 2024 season, going 16-7 with a 2.57 ERA as the NL Cy Young runner-up. He has 103 wins and a 3.34 ERA through his age-34 season, but if he can put together a few more solid seasons, he could have a chance to earn a plaque someday. 

Aaron Nola also had a strong season in Philadelphia, winning 14 games and posting a 3.57 ERA as an integral part of the Phillies' playoff team. He has 104 wins and a 3.70 career ERA through his age-31 season, so he should have time to add to the win total and put together a Hall of Fame case. 

After a horrid start to the year, Blake Snell turned on the jets in July, posting a 1.33 ERA for the rest of the season and ultimately finishing at 3.12 in 104 innings. The two time Cy Young Award winner inked a lucrative five year, $182 million contract with the Dodgers last week, clearly setting some high expectations. While he has been up and down during his career, the ups have typically outnumbered the downs, and if he can fufill his contract, I think the Hall will be calling his name. 

Craig Kimbrel was, quite simply, bad in 2024 (5.33 ERA, 1.36 WHIP). He looked like a surefire Hall of Famer a few years ago, but his lack of innings and recent ineffectiveness are making me question that. A lot of his case could hinge on how Billy Wagner fares on his final BBWAA ballot. If Wagner gets in, that could be good for Kimbrel, assuming he rebounds next season; if Wagner is left out, then there is little hope for his apprentice. 

Kenley Jansen is in much the same boat as Kimbrel, except he's pitching a bit better right now (3.29 ERA, 27 saves). A couple more good years and a plaque for Billy Wagner would bode well for Jansen, but anything else probably won't do it. 

Unlikely Candidates 

Christian Yelich looked a little like his old self this year, slashing .315 / .406 / .504 in 73 games and making his third all-star team before going down with an injury. He's not terribly old (he turns 33 tomorrow) and he can still be productive, but he'll need to stand out for the next few seasons if he wants to save his Hall of Fame candidacy. 

Xander Bogaerts was mediocre in 2024, slashing .264 / .307 / .381 in 111 games. A declining bat over the past few years and never much of a fielder, he too was involved in the Red Sox's cheating scandal, putting his Hall of Fame chances in dangerous territory. Bogaerts has another nine years left on his contract, so he has time to turn things around, but I'm not counting on it. 

After a horrendous first season in the Twin Cities, Carlos Correa produced when healthy in 2024, slashing .310 / .388 / .517 in 86 games. Due to his inconsistency (and his own part in the cheating scandals), I'm not counting on him making it, but his ceiling is high enough where anything can happen. 

Yu Darvish may not be what he used to be, but he proved that he can still pitch, posting a 3.31 ERA in 16 starts this season. At age 38, he has 110 wins and 2,007 strikeouts, making him a longshot candidate at best, but I won't completely discredit his chances. 

Shane Bieber won both his starts this year without allowing a run before undergoing Tommy John surgery. If he returns to form, he'll have a chance to pick up where he left off and make a Hall of Fame case, but you just never know for sure how a pitcher will recover from elbow surgery. 

Aroldis Chapman was somewhat productive again in 2024 (3.79 ERA, 14 saves), with the highlight of his season being a 105.1 mph fastball he unloaded on August 7. While he's still lighting up the radar guns (and has a chance to surpass Hoyt Wilhelm as the all-time strikeout king among relievers), he's not the complete pitcher he used to be, and his overall resume is short of what one would expect from a Hall of Fame closer. However, his fastball exploits are truly impressive, as he became the hardest thrower of all time and helped usher in a new era of pitching smoke. That contribution to the game, plus a 2.63 ERA and 336 saves (16th on the all-time list), make me think he has at least a shot at eventual induction. 

Fallen Out Of Contention 

J.D. Martinez couldn't get a contract until March 23, and he didn't live up to it with the Mets (.235 average, 16 homers). It was going to be tough for him to make it as a DH, and with his stats I'd say his Hall of Fame chances are nearly zero. 

Whit Merrifield had a miserable 2024 season, dealing with injuries, ineffectiveness, and an outright release on July 12. After a late start to his career, he's beginning to slide at age 35, and what he's done in the meantime is not nearly enough for induction. 

Retirees 

Zack Greinke hasn't exactly announced his retirement, but he didn't pitch and 2024 and almost surely won't pitch again. One of the greatest (and most colorful) pitchers of his era, the 2009 Cy Young Award winner collected 225 wins and nearly 3,000 strikeouts along with a reputation as one of the best hitting pitchers in the game. He should make it to the Hall with no issue. 

Evan Longoria was a dynamic player in his youth and made it to the World Series in his first and last seasons, but other than his 342 homers, his batting stats simply aren't up to par for a Hall of Fame third baseman. His defense was truly spectacular, but one needs to be Brooks Robinson to make it as a defense-first player at third base. As much as I'd like to see it, there's little chance of him getting inducted. 

Elvis Andrus showed up to spring training with the Diamondbacks this year, but didn't end up playing in the Majors. Even with outstanding defense at shortstop, Andrus's batting stats (.269 / .325 / .370, 102 homers) likely won't be enough to sway most voters. 

Joey Votto attempted a comeback with the Blue Jays this year, but never made it out of the high minors after an ankle injury. Although he is a little short on a few major counting statistics (e.g. 2,135 hits), he owns a career slash line of .294 / .406 / .511 and 356 homers, which (I hope) should be enough for his induction. 

Update On Active Players (2023)

    With the start of the 2024 season just around the corner, I think it would be a good time to check in on some active players who may one day grace the Halls of Cooperstown. 

Locks (100%) 

Mike Trout's counting statistics are a little low, but he was one of the most dominant players in MLB history for the first decade of his career. His rate stats are truly impressive (.301 / .412 / .582), and he is still a top player, so I expect him to be a lock, perhaps a first ballot inductee. 

Mad Max Scherzer is one of the greatest pitchers in MLB history. Still going strong at age 39, he has a 214-108 (.665) lifetime record, 3,367 strikeouts, and three Cy Young Awards. He's a lock. 

When Justin Verlander suffered an injury requiring Tommy John surgery in 2020, he already had Hall of Fame credentials. Since the surgery, Verlander has been as good as ever, taking home his third Cy Young Award in 2022 with a 1.75 ERA. Given his recent success, he could conceivably become baseball's next (maybe last) 300 game winner. Whether he gets there or not, he'll certainly make the Hall of Fame. 

Of all the great pitchers to take the mound in the past 15 years, Clayton Kershaw has been the best of the best. Since his debut in 2008, Kershaw has won three Cy Young Awards, five ERA titles, one MVP award, and 210 ballgames against only 92 losses, making him the second pitcher in history to win 200 games with fewer than 100 losses. He is on the cusp of 3,000 career strikeouts, and his career ERA stands at 2.48. He'll be a first ballot inductee. 

Likely Candidates (>50%) 

Joey Votto had a tough season in 2023 (.202 average, 14 homers in 65 games), but he has a career slash line of .294 / .409 / .511 and 356 career home runs. The NL MVP in 2010, Votto dominated the on-base leaderboards throughout the decade, leading the league in OBP seven(!) times, including an absurd .474 mark in 2012. He should make it to Cooperstown. 

Freddie Freeman had a career year for the Dodgers in 2023, batting .331 with 29 homers en route to a third place finish in the NL MVP Award voting. His counting stats are coming around, and he is perhaps the most consistent hitter in the game today. He should make it without much trouble. 

After winning the NL MVP Award in 2022, Paul Goldschmidt had a disappointing 2023 season (.268 average, 25 home runs). At age 36 he may or may not be slowing down, but the seven time all-star has been one of the best players in the game since 2013, earning himself a reputation as America's first baseman. I think he'll make it. 

Nolan Arenado has led the NL in home runs three times in his eleven seasons, but has perhaps made a bigger impact on defense than he has on offense. A ten time Gold Glove winner, he has built up a reputation as one of the greatest fielding third basemen of all time. My only doubt about his case is the fact that he played in Colorado for eight years, benefiting from the Coors Field boost, a boost that voters have historically punished (although Todd Helton's recent election to the Hall of Fame could mean that times are changing). Given his success as a Cardinal and his work with the glove, he should easily make it to Cooperstown. 

Manny Machado is very similar to Arenado, but won't get the same kind of love with the voters. A standout third baseman himself, he has "only" two Gold Gloves to show for it, and hasn't been able to win one since joining the NL in 2018, where he's had to compete with Arenado. Machado is one of the most feared hitters in the game, as much for his power as for his temper, which has resulted in a thrown bat or two over the years. His attitude will cost him some votes when his time comes, but there should be little doubting his playing ability, which is of Hall of Fame quality. 

2008 AL Rookie of the Year Evan Longoria was one of baseball's best players for the first decade of his career, and was still semi-productive last year at age 37, popping 11 home runs in 211 at bats. Longoria's slash line (.264 / .333 / .471) may seem underwhelming, but he has 342 career homers and 1,159 RBI's. He is 70 hits away from 2,000 and he scored his 1,000th run last season, two important milestones that should help his case. Longoria is also a renowned defender at the hot corner, winning three Gold Gloves and saving one reporter's life from an errant baseball (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKMllY6jHp0). One hopes that he'll be able to put two or three good seasons together and lock in his plaque. We'll see. 

Mookie Betts seems to be on track for a surefire Hall of Fame career. However, the Red Sox used illegal sign-stealing devices when they won the World Series in 2018 (and possibly several other years), when Betts hit .346 and won the AL MVP Award. Betts himself seems guilty (https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2023/02/21/mookie-betts-everybody-was-aware-2018-red-sox-stole-signs/11316385002/), and with that in mind, I could never bring myself to vote for him. Cheaters don't belong in Cooperstown. 

Which brings me to the next player... Jose Altuve. Ever since the news broke in 2019 that the Astros had been using illegal sign stealing devices for the past several years (including their 2017 World Championship season), the Astros have all been labeled as cheaters, and Altuve has perhaps been hammered hardest of all. Before the big reveal, Altuve was one of the most beloved players in the game. He had come from a humble background and beaten tremendous odds (including his diminutive stature) to make it to the Majors and become a big star. Since 2019, however, Altuve has been one of the most hated players. Probably the most booed player today, certain hoodlums have been known to shout "F* Altuve" on occasion. In 2020, Altuve had a miserable season, batting only .219 and making several costly throwing errors in the postseason. It seemed as if he couldn't get any lower than he was in 2020. However, things started to change for him. In 2021, Altuve hit 31 home runs. He was even better in 2022, hitting .300 with 28 homers and leading the Astros to the World Series Title (which most everyone considers legitimate). Altuve was as good as ever in 2023, slashing .311 / .393 / .522 in 410 plate appearances. 

    Altuve's Hall of Fame case depends heavily on whether he was guilty of stealing signs. Interestingly, I have not really found much evidence to suggest that he was (his terrible 2020 season can probably be attributed to the huge target on his little back). For that matter, I don't really have much against Michael Brantley, either. In fact, I recently came across a relatively convincing YouTube video that defends Altuve as innocent (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQTdEKA-nyM). If his career is indeed authentic, it could be Hall-worthy. Altuve has won three Batting Titles and led the AL in hits four times, taking home an MVP Award in 2017. He is a career .307 / .364 / .471 hitter, and reached several important milestones in 2023 (2,000 hits, 1,000 runs scored, 200 homers, 400 doubles). An eight time all-star, Altuve is still going strong at 33, and could very well finish up a Hall-worthy career. He'll certainly lose votes for the controversy surrounding his name, not to mention dreadful defense, but I'd still consider him a likely candidate for eventual induction. 

Although I think Zack Greinke should definitely make the Hall of Fame, I don't want to call him a lock - you can never predict anything in Zack Greinke's future. His career has been strange, as his best seasons have been interspersed among average ones. What's more, his favorite toy, his bat, has been taken away from him with the introduction of the universal DH in 2022. Greinke is coming off a rough season (2-15, 5.06 ERA), but is only 21 strikeouts away from 3,000, which should seal his induction... if he decides to play this year. Whether he gets there or not, I think his credentials (225 wins, two ERA Titles, 2009 Cy Young) should be enough to get him to Cooperstown. 

Reigning AL Cy Young winner Gerrit Cole notched his 2,000th strikeout last season, and is five wins away from 150 in his career. While he is a bit on the low end of some major counting statistics, perhaps getting to 200 wins or 3,000 innings isn't as important as it used to be. However, an even bigger impediment to his case may be the numerous cheating accusations aimed toward him. I still think he'll probably make it, but those rumors could sure put a damper on things. 

Craig Kimbrel made his ninth all-star team in 2023, a good season but hardly his best (3.26 ERA, 23 saves). Kimbrel will don his eighth Big League jersey this year, signing a one year deal with the Orioles in free agency. Sporting a 2.40 career ERA and 417 saves, I'd say he'll probably make it someday. For a while, he was considered the best closer in the game. 

Kenley Jansen had an up and down season in 2023 (3.63 ERA, 29 saves), but still managed to make his fourth all-star team. The owner of a 2.52 ERA and 420 saves, Jansen was long considered the best reliever in baseball this side of Kimbrel, and continues to add to his impressive save total. I'd expect him to make it eventually. 

Unlikely Candidates (<50%) 

Elvis Andrus's type is not a popular one to modern BBWAA voters. In past eras, players like Bid McPhee, Dave Bancroft, Travis Jackson, and others were able to gain induction with similar resumes, but in today's power-hungry game, those guys aren't appreciated anymore. Andrus had a productive season in 2023, hitting .251 and providing value on defense and on the bases, ultimately ousting former batting champ Tim Anderson out of the White Sox's starting shortstop job. He collected his 2,000th hit and 100th home run last season, but his rate statistics are nothing to throw a party about (.269 / .325 / .370 career slash line). Given his strong defense, I'd say there's a slight chance that he'll sneak in, but I'm not counting on it. 

Andrew McCutchen returned to the Pirates last year, and rewarded them with a pretty good season (.256 / .378 / .397). He collected his 2,000th hit in 2023 and is one home run away from 300, and has proven that he can still swing the bat, so I don't want to say he has no shot, but the odds are pretty long indeed. 

At this point last year, I would have said that Christian Yelich's Hall of Fame chances were close to zero. After a resurgent 2023 season, I will not completely discredit Yelich's odds, especially if he reaches 2,000 hits, but I'm still not counting on it.  

Aroldis Chapman had a bit of a resurgence in 2023 (3.09 ERA and 103 strikeouts, plus a decent postseason). His career totals are modest (698 1/3 innings, 321 saves), but he's a seven time all-star and the owner of a mind boggling 40.3% K rate. Since he's still capable of throwing 104 miles per hour, I think a few more good seasons could earn him a plaque. 

David Robertson has virtually no shot at Cooperstown, but it's not all his fault; despite being Mariano's replacement closer with the Yankees, he's closed less than half of the games he's pitched, and has only 175 career saves. If he'd been a closer his whole career, things could be looking a lot differently for him. 

Wait And See 

Salvador Perez had an off year by his standards, but was still good enough to make his eighth all-star team. It's going to be interesting to see how Perez's case is handled: a solid defensive catcher with prodigious power, his allergy to walks gives him only a .300 career OBP. He's got a lot of hardware in his trophy room (including five Gold Gloves, four Silver Sluggers, and the 2015 World Series MVP Award), but his counting totals are still relatively low. If he can add more counting totals without tanking his on base percentage, I'd say there's a good chance he'll be inducted. But that is a big if. 

J.T. Realmuto is a rare commodity among catchers, providing a high batting average and good baserunning(!) with strong power and solid defense. More consistent than spectacular, Realmuto is 32 years old and has relatively low counting statistics, but given his recent performance, he'll definitely have a shot to round out a Hall-worthy career. 

Giancarlo Stanton had a miserable 2023 season (.191 / .275 / .420). Age, injuries, and a brutal defensive decline have been hard on him, and he is now essentially a one trick pony - a slugger. Stanton's 24 homers in 2023 bring him to 402 for his career, and he should make it to 500. However, since the steroid era, 500 homers hasn't guaranteed induction like it used to, even for clean players like Fred McGriff and Gary Sheffield. If Stanton limps to 500 homers with more seasons like 2023, then he'll likely be left out. 

Aaron Judge is perhaps the most feared hitter in the game today, but a late start, a pandemic, and injuries have kept him to relatively low counting statistics, including only 846 hits. The owner of 257 homers at age 31, Judge's contract runs through 2031, so he's got a good chance to eclipse 500 homers. Unlike Stanton, Judge is the whole package both offensively and defensively, and I could see him getting inducted with fewer than 2,000 hits, even if he doesn't get to 500 homers. 

Texas Rangers shortstop Corey Seager had the best season of his career in 2023, slashing .327 / .390 / .623 with 33 homers and 96 RBI's in 119 games en route to a second place finish in the AL MVP Award voting. He was also the MVP of the World Series, the second time he's won the award. Heading into his age-30 season, injuries have been his biggest problem, but if he can stay on the field and play out the rest of his contract, I'd expect him to make it to Cooperstown. 

Francisco Lindor had a strong season in 2023 (31 homers, 98 RBI's). While he hasn't quite regained the form that made him the face of MLB during his Indians days, he's still a highly productive player. Going into his age-30 season, he's got a good shot to round out a Hall-worthy career if he can continue to play at his current level for a few more years. 

Trea Turner turned a rough season into a successful one, finishing 2023 with 26 homers and a trip to the playoffs. He's only played 1,004 games through his age-30 season and is not a good defensive shortstop, but he continues to be a force at bat and on the basepaths, so I wouldn't be surprised if he eventually wound up in the Hall of Fame based on peak-level offense. 

One of the most consistent and best disciplined hitters in baseball since 2016, Jose Ramirez made his sixth top-ten MVP finish in 2023, hitting .282 with 24 home runs and 80 RBI's. Going into his age-31 season, Ramirez's counting stats are a little low (1,327 hits), and his defense will likely slide in his thirties, but the guy can still do everything - hit for average, hit for power, drive in runs, steal bases. We'll see how long he can sustain his current level of production, but I'd say five or six years at his present pace will probably be necessary if he wants a plaque. 

Bryce Harper made the headlines again in 2023 when he returned to the field only 159 days after Tommy John Surgery (crushing the previous record of 182), proceeded to play first base in Rhys Hoskins's absence, and ended up hitting .293 with 21 homers. At 31, Harper owns elite rate stats (.281 / .391 / .521 slash line), not to mention 306 homers, so he's got a good shot to make it to the Hall someday. 

Still an effective pitcher heading into his age-35 season, Chris Sale recently joined the Atlanta Braves, which should help him add to his 120 career wins. Despite a lack of innings due to injuries and two seasons as a reliever, Sale's strikeout feats may be enough to sway many voters. A Cy Young Award would certainly help. 

Jacob deGrom faces a lot of the same challenges that Sale does, perhaps even more extremely: possibly the top pitcher of his generation (only Kershaw could argue), deGrom has not made more than 15 starts in a season since 2019, leaving him with only 84 career wins heading into his age 36 season. However, with two Cy Young Awards and a lessening emphasis on starting pitchers' wins (plus five more years left on his contract), I'd say that he's still got a legitimate shot at eventual induction. 

Officially the highest paid athlete in history, Shohei Ohtani inked a ten year, $700,000,000 contract with the Dodgers this offseason, giving himself an enormous expectation to meet. A two way superstar who's been baseball's best player in each of the past three seasons, Ohtani will not be able to pitch in 2024 due to an elbow injury. Injuries such as Ohtani's are always concerning - having already undergone Tommy John Surgery in 2019, it's not impossible that his pitching career is over, and that he may be limited to DH duties for the next decade. If that happens, with 681 hits through his age-28 season, then it's possible that he'll miss out on the Hall of Fame. However, I think it's much more likely that he plays very well with the Dodgers (probably with a return to the mound), and that he'll make it to Cooperstown. From 2021-23, he played at a level unmatched by anyone in the history of the game. 

Fallen Out Of Contention 

Anthony Rizzo needed a few more good seasons to get back on track for Cooperstown, and seemed to be having one in 2023, slashing .304 / .376 / .505 with 11 home runs by May 28, when he suffered a concussion in a collision with Fernando Tatis Jr. The injury went undiagnosed until August, and Rizzo played through it in the meantime, hitting .172 / .271 / .225 with all of one homer. That may have been the final nail in the coffin for Rizzo's Hall of Fame case. He'll need at least 2,000 hits to even receive consideration, and I don't know if that'll happen. 

Despite his 90 RBI's, Jose Abreu had a nightmarish 2023 season (.237 / .296 / .383 slash line and a stint on the IL). While he may have somewhat redeemed himself with a strong postseason, I think he is starting to decline. Heading into his age 37 season, his counting statistics seem a little short for comfort. However, a case can be made for his induction if you consider his outstanding career in Cuba, which delayed his MLB debut until he was 27. 

DJ LeMahieu has another tough season in 2023 (.243 / .327 / .390). At 35, LeMahieu's counting statistics are not high enough yet, and given his performance over the past three seasons, I doubt he'll return to form. 

Anthony Rendon really frustrates me. I used to be an Angels fan before they drove their franchise into the ground, and was excited to see Rendon come over in 2020. He was coming off a brilliant 2019 season in which he'd led the Majors with 126 RBI's, ended up finishing tenth in the MVP voting in 2020, and looked like a potential Hall of Famer. However, the injury bug has been on him like ugly on an ape since 2021. Over the past three seasons, he's appeared in a total of 148 games, slashing .235 / .338 / .364 and experiencing a sharp decline in the field. What's even more frustrating is, in two of those seasons, I drafted him in my fantasy league, only to drop him like a hot rock. At any rate, his career seems to be falling apart, and his Hall of Fame chances are falling to nearly zero. 

After a strong 2022 season, I was hoping that Johnny Cueto would have a chance to be good and possibly pull together a Hall-worthy resume. After a dreadful 2023 season, I'd say that hope has been extinguished. 

Madison Bumgarner made four starts last season, lost three of them, and was released on April 26. What a brutal decline for the Giants postseason legend who as recently as 2019 was considered a top pitcher. With 134 wins and a 3.47 ERA, there is little hope for MadBum's case. 

Mark Melancon missed all of 2023 with an injury. Barring a miracle, 38 year old Melancon can kiss Cooperstown goodbye. 

Retirees 

Miguel Cabrera has retired as one of the greatest hitters the game has ever known. A four time batting champion and baseball's last Triple Crown winner in 2012, Cabrera slashed .301 / .382 / .518 in his career with 511 home runs, 1,881 RBI's, and 3,174 hits. I await his first ballot induction in 2029. 

Adam Wainwright had a tough final season in 2023, but collected his all important 200th win in his last start, going seven shutout innings against the playoff-bound Brewers. If not for three seasons lost to injury, one to COVID-19, and two as a reliever, Wainwright could have had 250 wins. In addition to his victories, Uncle Charlie has a .618 career win percentage, 2,202 strikeouts, and four top three finishes in the Cy Young Award voting (although he never took home the hardware). Wainwright also has a successful postseason resume, going 4-5 with a 2.83 ERA, four saves, and 123 strikeouts in 16 different series, taking home two World Series rings. A dynamic all around player, Wainwright won two Gold Gloves and one Silver Slugger to line his trophy room. I think he deserves a plaque. 

As far as I know, the Nationals are still trying to negotiate with Stephen Strasburg, but I think he's planning to retire. If Strasburg has indeed thrown his last pitch, he will be an intriguing Hall of Fame candidate. A much anticipated prospect, Strasburg was a star as soon as he came up, striking out 14 on his MLB debut. From 2010 through 2019, Strasburg was simply dominant. During that decade, he went 112-59 with a 3.17 ERA and a 29.1% strikeout rate, leading the NL in wins, starts, innings, strikeouts, and homers / 9 IP each once. What's more, he dominated in the postseason, going 6-2 in nine appearances (eight starts) with a 1.46 ERA and 71 strikeouts, taking home World Series MVP honors in 2019 as the Nats won the first World Series in franchise history. Strasburg was on top of the world when injuries struck him down. From 2020 through 2022, he made just eight starts as the Nationals fell into oblivion. He did not pitch at all in 2023 and may be retiring. Is ten seasons of dominance, plus postseason heroics, enough to ensure Strasburg a plaque? He has only 113 wins, but that number is offset by his astronomical .646 winning percentage. I could see Strasburg sneaking into Cooperstown under the guise of Dizzy Dean - a dominant pitcher for a while who was at his peak when an unfortunate injury took its toll. He made only 247 career starts, but during those 247 starts, he was one of the best pitchers in the game. We'll see if that will be good enough to push him over the top. 

Update On Active Players (And a Word On Middle Relievers)

    The 2022 MLB season has come to a close, and I thought now is as good a time as any to give an update on future Hall of Fame candidates. This list will look slightly different than my previous lists because some players have come into the discussion (like J.T. Realmuto) while others have dropped out (like Andrelton Simmons). 

POSITION PLAYERS 

Even though he got a late start in baseball (he was 27 years old when he won AL Rookie of the Year honors in 2014), Jose Abreu's having himself one heck of a career. At 35 he had another stellar season in 2022, batting .304. However, his counting statistics (e.g., 1,445 hits after nine seasons) are pretty low. If he can put together a few more all-star seasons, then I wouldn't be surprised if he gets a plaque someday. 

Manny Machado had a career year in 2022, batting .298 with 32 homers and reaching the century mark in both runs scored and RBI's. Despite "only" two Gold Gloves (he's had to contend with Nolan Arenado for much of his career), Machado's defense is truly elite. He's putting together a Hall of Fame career, no doubt about it. However, he is not a popular player, and tends to throw temper tantrums on the field every once in a while. A lot of sportswriters don't like him, and I have a sneaking feeling that they may leave him outside. We'll see. 

35 year old Michael Brantley missed much of 2022 with injuries (.288 mark in 243 at bats). I'd say he's got a small chance to make it, as he is a very talented hitter and could well reach 2,000 hits. NOTE: I'd previously left Brantley completely out of the conversation since his Astros were caught sign stealing. However, there may be reasons to believe that Brantley was never in on the scheme; for one, he joined the club in midseason 2019 (the last season they went unnoticed) and his hitting didn't suffer in 2020 like many of his teammates' did. 

J.T. Realmuto has become the best catcher in the Majors by a rather large margin. He's been utterly consistent both at bat and behind the plate since he debuted in 2014, but often outshined by guys like Buster Posey and Yadier Molina. Now that they're gone (and on their way to Cooperstown), J.T. can bask in stardom a bit more now. He had a signature season in 2022 (.276 / 22 / 84, career high 21 stolen bases), and could have been the MVP. I think he'll probably make it. 

Jose Ramirez has been one of the best hitters in baseball since 2016. His counting stats need some work, but given his combination of contact hitting, on base skills, and power, I think he can put together a Hall of Fame career. 

Giancarlo Stanton is kind of a one tool player - he's only a power hitter. He's not a high average hitter (lifetime .264 mark), he doesn't run, and he's lousy in the field. However, Stanton has 378 homers in only 5,237 at bats (7.22 HR%). He turned 33 back on November 8, and his contract doesn't expire until 2029. If he can average 25 homers per season until the end of his contract, then he'll have over 500, which would be enough for induction. Here's betting that he gets it. 

Salvador Perez had another productive season in 2022 (.254 / 23 / 76 in 445 at bats). Despite a general lack of counting statistics and on base skills, he's only 32 and has time to add to his career totals. As it is today, he's got a lot of hardware in his trophy room (5x Gold Glove, 4x Silver Slugger, 7x all-star, 2015 World Series ring) and the single season home run record for a catcher (48 in 2021). I think he'll make it. 

Despite struggling with injuries this season, Bryce Harper was a huge part of the Phillies' team this year, especially during the postseason. He's barely 30 years old and is one of the best hitters in baseball. I'd predict to see him in Cooperstown one day. 

I don't want to say that Andrew McCutchen has no shot for the Hall of Fame, but he's losing time to put together a worthy resume. At 36 his production was down in 2022 (.237 batting average and 17 homers), and I don't know if he has any all-star seasons left. If he doesn't, then I'd suspect that he'll be on the outside looking in. 

37 year old third baseman Evan Longoria hit 14 homers in 266 at bats this season, proving that his bat still has some pop. He's been struggling with injuries lately, but he's one of the best defensive third basemen in MLB history and a convincing power hitter (331 homers and 1,131 RBI's). I'd vote for him if he retired today. 

NL MVP Paul Goldschmidt is establishing himself as one of the best hitters so far in the 21st century. Assuming he makes it to 2,000 hits (he has 1,750), he should make it with little trouble. 

After a couple off years in 2020-2021, some people thought that Francisco Lindor might be losing it. In case anyone ever doubted his ability, he drove in 107 runs for the Mets this year. He still has some work to do, but I'd expect him to come through and put up a Hall worthy resume. 

At 34, Elvis Andrus had somewhat of a renaissance season in 2022 (.249 / 17 / 58, 18 stolen bases). He scored his 1,000th run this season and is three hits away from 2,000. As one of my all time favorite players, I hope he can turn it around, and considering his fine defense, I think there's at least some hope of him turning in a Hall of Fame career. We'll see. 

A couple seasons ago I would have said that first baseman Anthony Rizzo was still in his prime and had time for his counting statistics to come around, being one of the best hitters in baseball. He still has his old power stroke (32 home runs in 465 at bats in 2022), but his batting average slipped to .224. At 33 I'd say he won't get his average back up, and at 33 a .265 career hitter with 283 homers and 1,476 hits doesn't have much hope. However, if he converts into a closer, then maybe he'll have a chance. 

Freddie Freeman, one of the top hitters in the game, is starting to shape into a Hall of Famer. His counting stats are coming around without hurting his rate statistics. He's almost sure to make it. 

Mookie Betts has the most complicated case of anyone on this list. If you take his numbers at face value, then most people would probably say that he's not there yet, but he's got a good chance to get there in future. HOWEVER, his Red Sox were caught stealing signs after winning the World Series in 2018, making their title illegitimate. I personally wouldn't vote for him, but I suspect that the BBWAA probably will. 

When I first started coverage of active players, I would have said of Anthony Rendon what I say of so many other players on this list - that he still has work to do, but is probably on his way to a Hall of Fame career. Now that he's wasted another season to injuries (.229 / 5 / 24 in 166 at bats), I don't know what to think of his case. Rendon is 32 years old, and has a ways to go with all of his counting statistics, but his current contract with the Angels is good for another five seasons. If he can start hitting like he did in 2019, then he'll have a chance to right the ship. If he doesn't, then he'll have no chance at Cooperstown. 

DJ LeMahieu seems to have lost his touch. It's not that he's not a good player - he batted .261 in 2022 with a dozen homers, a .357 OBP, and 74 runs scored while manning three infield positions. At 34 he may be past his peak, and while he is still effective, I don't think he'll be able to compile the necessary counting statistics to make a Hall of Fame career. His lifetime batting average also fell below .300, and stands at .297 going into 2023. He'll have a tough time making it, I think. 

Third baseman Nolan Arenado had another MVP-caliber season in 2022 (.293 / 30 / 103, Platinum Glove award). He's just shy of 300 homers and 1,000 RBI's, and he's got 10 (!) Gold Gloves. He'll make it. 

Joey Votto had a tough season in 2022, hitting .205 in 322 at bats before being shut down with an injury. You never know what to expect from Votto - he always seems to follow up a great season with a not so great season, leading many to think his career is over... and then turns in an all-star performance the next year! Even if this marks the end of his productivity, I think he's done enough for induction by now. He's got 2,093 hits, including 342 homers, and a career OPS of .926. I'd vote for him if he retired today. 

Mike Trout had another signature season in 2022, slashing .283/.369/.630 with 40 homers in only 438 at bats. At 31 he still has many great years ahead of him, but I'd vote for Trout even if he chose to retire today. He's already earned it. 

Miguel Cabrera plans to play out his contract and play in 2023, but in the context of the Hall of Fame it's really unnecessary. He hit his 500th homer late last year and collected his 3,000th hit early this year. He's a four time batting champ and baseball's last Triple Crown winner (2012). Any questions? 

PITCHERS 

Johnny Cueto was one of the surprises of the 2022 season, as he posted a 3.35 ERA in 25 games (24 starts). While this was a good renaissance season, Cueto still has a ways to go if he wants to be considered, and at 36 he may or may not have much left in the tank. With 144 wins, a 3.44 ERA, and 1,812 strikeouts, it's been a very good career, but his Hall of Fame chances are unlikely. 

Gerrit Cole is establishing himself as one of the greatest strikeout pitchers of all time. In 267 career starts (1,650 innings), he already has 1,930 K's, and has shown that he can strike out 300 in a season. However, his other counting statistics aren't so convincing (e.g., only 130 wins at age 32). On top of that, he's seen his share of cheating accusations. I'd say that if he fleshes out his career with more all-star seasons, maybe reaching 200 wins and 2,500 innings, then he'll have a good shot unless more negative evidence surfaces. As of now, he's a very fragile candidate - power pitchers like Cole have been known to blow their arms, and older ones tend to allow a lot of homers. We'll just have to wait and see what happens. 

Chris Sale is a remarkable pitcher - he just seems to suffer injury after injury. He was limited to two starts (5 2/3 innings) this year, and made only nine in 2021. If he can't get back on track and string together a few more career years, then he'll be left out. However, I think that if he stays healthy, then he can right the ship and perhaps make the Hall of Fame. It all depends on his health. 

Jacob deGrom made eleven starts in 2022, going 5-4 with a 3.08 ERA and 102 strikeouts in 64 1/3 innings. He just can't seem to stay healthy. If he can pitch effectively until he's 40 (seven more seasons) and add to his anemic win total (82; due in large part to bad Mets teams over the years), then he'll have a shot. As of now, it looks like this awesome pitcher may miss out on the Hall of Fame due to injuries. It's a sad career path, but that's just the way it is. 

Similar to Sale and deGrom stands Stephen Strasburg, who made just one start in 2022 between two devastating injuries. After the Nationals won the 2019 World Series, Strasburg was in a pretty good place. He had a career year on the mound and took home World Series MVP honors. At 31 he could have worked around his low win total. Now, three years later, I'm not so sure. I don't want to say he has no chance, but I'm not sure if he'll even pitch another full season in the Majors. He'll have a tough time making it to Cooperstown. 

Poor MadBum! He was well on his way to Cooperstown going into his Diamondbacks contract. He was remarkable in the regular season, but an all time postseason legend. Not only that, but he was a marvelous hitter, with 19 career home runs (he was among the National League leaders in grand slams in 2014). Since joining the D-backs, he's been just miserable, with an ERA north of 4.50. He's shown some promise of late, as he had a stretch of ten or so very good starts in the middle of last year, and carried a solid season into this year's all-star game. However, I think his best days are behind him, and his Hall of Fame chances are very small indeed. 

Adam Wainwright had another fine season in 2022 (11 wins, 3.71 ERA), and is five wins away from 200 for his career. If you take into account two prime seasons he lost to injuries, as well as three more as a reliever, then he might have won 250. I think he's done enough. 

David Price had a solid season out of the Dodgers' pen this season (2.45 ERA in 40 1/3 innings). At 37 he may or may not come back in 2023, and unless he finds new life as a starter (or becomes a great closer), then he won't make the Hall of Fame. 

38 year old Zack Greinke returned to the Royals this year, and turned in a pretty good 2022 season (3.68 ERA in 26 starts). He never seems to stop. He has 223 wins and an outside shot at 3,000 strikeouts. He'll make it. 

Although he was limited to 23 starts in 2022, Max Scherzer still put together a very productive season (11 wins, 2.29 ERA, 173 strikeouts). He collected his 3,000th strikeout late last season and won his 200th game this year. At 38 he seems to be showing no signs of slowing down, and he could wind up as one of the top ten pitchers of all time if he keeps it up. As for the Hall of Fame, he staked his claim a long time ago. 

39 year old Justin Verlander returned from Tommy John surgery this year and had the best season of his career: 18 wins and a microscopic 1.75 ERA en route to his third Cy Young Award. With a new right elbow, he could conceivably pitch until he's 45, maybe even 50. He'll also have a shot at 300 wins. He'll make the Hall of Fame if he ever stops pitching. 

Clayton Kershaw went 12-3 with a 2.28 ERA in 22 starts for the Dodgers this year, making it 197-87, 2.48 for his career. He's three wins away from becoming the second pitcher in MLB history to win 200 games with fewer than 100 losses (Bob Caruthers), and will likely reach 3,000 strikeouts. He's another lock. 

Aroldis Chapman had another tough year in 2022 (4.46 ERA in 43 appearances). He used to be a great closer, and he's accomplished a few impressive feats, such as the fastest recorded pitch in MLB history (>105 mph). He's got a 2.48 career ERA, 315 saves, and 1,045 strikeouts in 640 innings. He should make it if he has a few more good years in him, but he may be finished. 

Kenley Jansen found a new team in the offseason, but he's been quite effective so far with the Braves (five wins and 41 saves). He's just short of 400 saves and has over 1,100 strikeouts to complement a 2.46 ERA. He should have no trouble making the Hall of Fame. 

Craig Kimbrel may be losing his old magic. At 34 he posted a 3.75 ERA and 22 saves in 63 appearances in 2022. He's still got 391 saves and a 2.31 ERA, but you never know with relievers. He should make it, but I can't say anything for sure. 

Mark Melancon, after a fine season in 2021, had a miserable 2022 (3-10, 4.66 ERA). At 37 he has only 262 career saves and a 2.94 ERA, which are a ways off from the Hall of Fame standards for closers. If he has a couple good years in a row, and reaches 300 saves, then I suppose he could have a chance for induction, but I'm not counting on it. 

TOO EARLY TO TELL 

AL MVP Aaron Judge hit 62 homers this season, setting the single season American League record. At 30, he's got only 748 hits in seven seasons, but 220 of them are home runs, and he's had two seasons with over 50. He has some work to do, but he could certainly put up Hall of Fame numbers by the end of his career. 

Two way star Shohei Ohtani arguably played better than Judge in 2022 (15-9, 2.33 ERA, 219 strikeouts as a pitcher; .273/.356/.519 with 34 homers as a hitter). His 2021 and 2022 feats are unrivaled by any player in MLB history. If he can keep it up for a couple years, then he'll easily make it to the Hall of Fame. 

A WORD ON MIDDLE RELIEVERS 

Ever since the Hall of Fame started inducting relievers, closers have made it in while middle relievers haven't. Why is that? I know exactly why: S-A-V-E-S. Saves, although they are of little real value in themselves, are a flashy statistic (it sounds great to save a game, doesn't it?). A couple of middle relievers active today could be in the Hall of Fame discussion if only they were closers. They are - 

David Robertson. Robertson has had some opportunities to close out some games in his career, with 157 saves (including 20 this season). At 37 he is still a valuable reliever, and for his career he has 57 wins in 731 appearances. If only he were a full time closer, he would have a chance to make the Hall of Fame. 

Darren O'Day. 40 year old O'Day was limited to 28 appearances in 2022 due to injuries, but his career is excellent. In 644 appearances, he has a record of 42-21 (.667), a 2.59 ERA, 1.034 WHIP, and better than a strikeout per inning. He's done well in his few opportunities as a closer, with 21 saves. I know he won't make the Hall of Fame, but he's one of the all time greatest middle relievers, a role just as difficult and important as that of closer. 

RETIREES 

A number of future Hall of Famers have retired in 2022, all as St. Louis Cardinals. 

Albert Pujols is one of the greatest hitters of all time. A three time MVP, Pujols had a great final season in 2022, batting .270 with 24 homers in 307 at bats. His chase for 700 homers was one of the most exciting milestones in a long time. I await his first ballot entry. 

Yadier Molina, still probably the best defensive catcher in baseball, retired with some pretty impressive career accomplishments: nine Gold Gloves, ten all-star selections, two World Series rings, and 2,168 hits. He also collected his 1,000th career RBI this season. He should be another easy pick, maybe not a first ballot selection but a definite lock. 

Jon Lester didn't pitch at all in 2022, but also retired with some impressive numbers, such as 200 wins and almost 2,500 strikeouts. He should make the Hall of Fame. 

Active Starting Pitchers

Corey Kluber won game number 100 this season, but he blew his career ERA up another three points and wasted another season to solidify himself as a future candidate. He's got a very small chance of righting the ship and actually putting together a Hall of Fame worthy resume. 

Gerrit Cole had a good season for the Yankees (16-8, 3.23), but I don't really like his chances. He's got 117 wins at 31, and is going to get a bum rap for the cheating rumors. 

Chris Sale won five games in nine starts this season. He hasn't really produced at an average level since 2018, when he was just untouchable. If he can't get back to form, he'll be left out of Cooperstown. 

Jacob deGrom went 7-2 with a 1.08 ERA in 15 starts this year. He's absolutely one of the greatest pitchers of all time, but if he can't last (77 career wins in 198 starts through his age 33 season), then I guess he can't make it. He needs 73 wins to match Dizzy Dean's total, who's got the fewest wins among Hall of Fame starters and had a similar career. 

Stephen Strasburg may still be in his prime, as he has pitched only 26 2/3 innings since 2019, when he led the NL in wins and innings. He's got only 113 lifetime wins and a 3.16 ERA, and seeing as how he's lost two seasons to injuries, I suspect that he won't make it. 

Madison Bumgarner had an appalling season with the Diamondbacks (4.67 ERA in 146 1/3 innings), but he went 7-10 for a team that went 52-110, and he was one of their best players this season. Since his catcher, future Hall of Famer Buster Posey, is now retired, there is little hope that MadBum will be able to make it. A Giants postseason legend, Bumgarner won't be forgotten, but it sure is sad seeing what looked like a Hall of Fame career just crumble. 

40 year old Adam Wainwright has just had an amazing season, as he went 17-7 with a 3.05 ERA. I like his chances for the Hall. 

David Price pitched 39 games (11 starts) for the Dodgers this season, providing much value as he returned to the starting rotation when the Dodgers lost Trevor Bauer and Clayton Kershaw. Unfortunately, voters don't seem to take those things into account, and he's not a Hall of Famer, anyway. 

Cole Hamels is probably retired. With a lifetime record of 163-122 and a 3.43 career ERA, he will not make it. 

Felix Hernandez is also retired, and he won't make the Hall of Fame either (169-136, 3.41). 

Jon Lester had a rough season this year, but it really doesn't matter. He won his 200th game this season, which certainly helps, and he's about to reach 2,500 strikeouts. That, and his performances for World Champions Boston in 2013 and Chicago in 2016, make him an easy Hall of Famer. 

Zack Greinke might finally be slowing down. He was tacked with a 4.16 ERA this season, but he will probably reach 3,000 strikeouts next season. He'll make it. 

Max Scherzer, at 37 years old, is still one of the best pitchers in baseball and might take home his fourth Cy Young Award after a great season (2.46 ERA). He struck out his 3,000th batter this season, and is starting to build a case as one of the greatest pitchers of all time. 

Justin Verlander didn't pitch this season, but his credentials are already going to do it (226-129, 3,013 strikeouts). Like Strasburg, he may still be in his prime, and if he is, then he could be the greatest pitcher of the 21st century. 

Clayton Kershaw has been the best pitcher in baseball since 2008, his rookie season. His 2.49 ERA and .688 winning percentage are some of the greatest marks in history. 

Remember This?

Now that the 2021 baseball season is over, I will return to a couple of posts that I published back in January and February about my predictions for the Hall of Fame among active players. 

Outfielder/DH Giancarlo Stanton hit 35 home runs in 139 games for the Yankees this year, bringing his career total to 347. 2021 was his age 31 season, so if he can average 25 homers a year through his age 40 season, then he'd have 522, which would be good enough to get him over the top. We'll see what happens, because if he doesn't get to 500, then he probably won't get in. 

Third baseman Josh Donaldson batted .247 with 26 homers this season, making it .269 and 251 homers through his age 35 season. It looks like he's going into his declining stage, and if he's already had his prime, then he's not getting in. 

Catcher Salvador Perez just led the MLB in home runs (48) and RBI's (121). That, and his 1,000th career hit, actually make him a potential candidate in the future. 

Outfielder Bryce Harper jut had a fantastic season for the Phillies (.309/.429/.615, 35 homers). He'll probably make it. 

Outfielder Andrew McCutchen soldiered through 2021 (.222 average but 27 homers and 81 walks), playing in 144 games and generally batting 4-5-6 in the Phillies' lineup and providing above average value. Seeing as how this is his age 34 season, and that his career is a little short of the Hall of Fame (1,761 games, .280/.373/.476, 270 homers, 197 stolen bases), he probably won't end up in Cooperstown. 

Shortstop Andrelton Simmons has just batted .223/.283/.274 for the Twins in 131 games. His primary value lies in fielding skills and contact hitting, and he still excels at both, but this season's hitting was just disappointing. Unless he can rack up a few more Gold Gloves and get his average back in the .280 range to stay, Simmons just won't make it. 

Despite injuries and complications due to the COVID-19 vaccine, third baseman Evan Longoria still put together a pretty good season (13 homers and 46 RBI's in 81 games). Considering what kind of defensive marvel he has been for his entire career and just how good an RBI man he is, I feel confident that he will probably find himself in the Hall of Fame one day. 

At this time in 2019, most people would probably think that outfielder Christian Yelich was going to put up a Hall of Fame career. He had previously won two straight Batting Titles, finished first and second in the NL MVP Award voting, had a career batting average of .301, and was only 27 years old. Since then, however, he's batted .234 in 175 games, lowering his average to .292 and wasting away two precious peak years. Now, he's about to turn 30, and has yet to collect his 600th career RBI. He's in deep trouble. 

First baseman Paul Goldschmidt is just a machine. He is a vacuum cleaner at first base and has just hit 30 home runs in a season for sixth time. At 33, he's still one of the top offensive producers in baseball. He'll get the counting statistics. He'll get a plaque. 

Former outfielder Nick Markakis is not active anymore. His only shot at Cooperstown was getting his 3,000th hit, and seeing as how he doesn't have it, his case just falls apart. He won't make it, or get very much consideration, either. 

Welcome to your new home away from home, Francisco Lindor! After six brilliant seasons with the Cleveland Indians, the 27 year old shortstop (he turns 28 on November 14) has just suffered through a tough season (.230 average) with the Mets. He's still got a fine career and he is still one of the better shortstops in the game, so if he can get used to his new surroundings, he very well may get to the Hall of Fame someday. 

Shortstop Elvis Andrus had another bad looking season, but like Lindor's, it was actually a decent year (although way off from his previous production). It's too bad seeing the Rangers dump him, and he looks to be declining, but nevertheless he still has a chance to make it. 

First baseman Anthony Rizzo has also had an off year, and his career before 2021 wasn't that convincing in itself, but Rizzo did add another 22 homers to his lifetime total and was a big part in the Yankees' wild card berth. It all depends on what he can do in the Bronx for the next few years. Striking out Freddie Freeman is also something that gives him a bit of notoriety. 

Speaking of Freeman, the Atlanta (as of now) first baseman has just had another fine season (.300 average, 31 homers). A contract dispute might hurt him a little bit, but a World Series ring is a nice addition to his trophy room. He'll probably make it. 

Outfielder Mookie Betts won't make it. Between the cheating scandal and how he's hit for the Dodgers, I wouldn't vote for him in a hundred years (that is, if he was still on the ballot). 

If the Angels had Mike Trout, Albert Pujols, and third baseman Anthony Rendon all playing full time this season, they probably would've made the playoffs. Unfortunately, Rendon played in only 58 games this year, and didn't produce much when he was in the lineup (.240/.329/.382). He has a while to get back and track, and I think that he will. It will be interesting to follow his career from now on and see if he puts up a Hall of Fame resume. 

DJ LeMahieu had also had an off year, but it was nevertheless a good season for a second baseman. If he doesn't start to hit like he did in 2019-2020 for the Yankees, his name will be written off as one who was aided by the Coors Field boost and he won't make it. However, I am confident that he will return to form and if he can keep it up for a while, then he'll get a plaque. 

Second baseman Dustin Pedroia is now retired. He may or may not have been a part of the Red Sox's cheating scandal, but if he was, then he'll be severely chastised by the voters, including myself if I ever get the opportunity. Considering the fact that we probably won't ever be able to prove that he wasn't in on it, and that Fenway Park does still provide a good hitting environment, I predict that he probably won't make it to Cooperstown. 

Third baseman Nolan Arenado will probably make it for the sake of his defense (eight career Gold Gloves). He hit 34 home runs and drove in 105 for the Cardinals this season, who do not play in Coors field, so on the surface it looks like he's had a tough year, but in reality he's probably improved. I think he should make it. 

Another all-star season for 39 year old catcher Yadier Molina really wasn't even necessary, as he was already a lock. He could reasonably be put in a list of the top ten catchers of all time. 

Catcher Buster Posey is another obvious Hall of Famer. With another fantastic season (he was by far the best catcher in the NL this season), Posey is going out in style. I am looking forward to his induction in 2027. 

First baseman Joey Votto hit 36 home runs with 99 RBI's this season, reaching three important milestones - 2,000 career hits, 300 home runs, and 1,000 RBI's. The 38 year old slugger sports a career slash line of .302/.416/.520, and is another lock for the Hall. 

Outfielder Mike Trout missed 126 games this season with injuries, but still batted .333 with a .466 OBP. It's a shame that his best season was so short. At any rate, he'll make it. 

First baseman Miguel Cabrera is still going strong, still batting cleanup for the Tigers at the age of 38. The four time AL Batting champ and 2012 Triple Crown winner hit his 500th home run this year, and is an easy pick for the Hall of Fame. 

First baseman Albert Pujols may or may not come back in 2022, but he has nothing left to prove. The three time NL MVP has 3,301 career hits and 679 home runs. He would have been a Hall of Famer if he'd retired eleven years ago. 

NOTE: I will make another such post about the active starting pitchers who I wrote about. That's coming soon. 

The 15 Best Bets Among Active Starting Pitchers To Someday Make It To Cooperstown

 The 15 Best Bets Among Active Starting Pitchers To Someday Make It To Cooperstown 

In a very pitcher-friendly era, I would like to point out the best of the times. I hope that all will agree with my list. 

Number 15: Corey Kluber (98-58, 3.16 ERA, 4.99 K/BB) 

Kluber is going to have a hard time making it to the Hall of Fame. He has earned only 98 wins at 34 ½ and was selected to only three all-star teams. Kluber does have great rate statistics, such as 9.8 K/9 and 7.8 H/9. He does have two Cy Young awards and an ERA Title, but with a poor 2019 season and one inning in 2020, I think it’s safe to say that Kluber will not be a Hall of Famer. 

Number 14: Gerrit Cole (101-55, 3.19 ERA, 4.31 K/BB) 

One of the best pitchers today, Gerrit Cole is a strikeout machine and a consistent winner. He won the 2019 AL ERA Title and led the MLB with 326 strikeouts that year. His momentum is for him, as he had a strong 2020 season, but Father Time is not. He has only 101 wins at age 30, and the lost 2020 season probably cost him at least 15 more wins. His 3.19 ERA is not as low as expected, either, although he has allowed an average of 7.7 hits per nine innings and has struck out 10.1 per nine. We will have to wait and see for his bid at Cooperstown. 

Number 13: Chris Sale (109-73, 3.03 ERA, 5.37 K/BB) 

Here is another starting pitcher with a lack of counting statistics past age 30 that really hurt his Hall of Fame case. Sale is 31 ½ and has only 109 lifetime wins. He does have two league strikeout crowns, 2,007 whiffs in his career, seven all-star selections, and the highest strikeout to walk ratio in baseball history, but he is going down quickly and will need to have a little luck if he wants to make the Hall of Fame. 

Number 12: Jacob deGrom (70-51, 2.61 ERA, 4.79 K/BB) 

Another one of the most dominant pitchers in baseball today, deGrom has rate statistics that rank among the top handful of pitchers in history: 2.61 ERA, 1.047 WHIP, 10.5 K/9, 7.2 H/9. He has two Cy Young Awards, a Rookie of the Year Award, and an ERA Title at his disposal. The problem is, deGrom is 32 ½ years old, and only has 70 career wins in 183 starts. Losing this season hurts, especially for a pitcher who needs counting statistics to guarantee a plaque. If he can pitch productively well into his 40’s, he will probably find himself in Cooperstown. However, the fewest wins in history for a starting pitcher to make the Hall of Fame is 150, accomplished by Dizzy Dean, and he pitched in the heaviest hitting period that the game has ever seen. 

Number 11: Stephen Strasburg (112-59, 3.19 ERA, 4.49 K/BB) 

Stephen Strasburg is still a great pitcher who last had a Hall of Fame worthy season in 2019. He is a fine strikeout pitcher with an amazing winning percentage, a Silver Slugger award, and the 2019 World Series MVP Award. Strasburg is going to have to work around a 3.19 ERA and 112 wins at 32 ½, which is a very tall order for any pitcher seeking Cooperstown. His reputation and solid win percentage may be enough to secure him a plaque with a couple more quality seasons. 

Number 10: Madison Bumgarner (120-96, 3.20 ERA, 4.14 K/BB) 

“Madbum” is a very famous big-game pitcher whose postseason efforts (8-3, 2.11 ERA) are among the best in history. In Game 7 of the 2014 World Series, he pitched five shutout innings to preserve a 3-2 lead and earn the greatest save of all time. His regular season numbers are tricky, however, as he is 31 ½ and has only 120 lifetime wins. He has good rate statistics, three World Series rings with the Giants, and is one of the greatest hitting pitchers of all time, so he may have a shot at Cooperstown once he retires, especially if he produces a few more great seasons. 

Number 9: Adam Wainwright (167-98, 3.38 ERA, 3.10 K/BB) 

Adam Wainwright has been pitching since 2005, pitching well since 2006, and pitching at a Hall of Fame level since 2008. He started out as a reliever, but was converted to a starter in 2007. He has a long and storied career, with a 2006 World Series ring with the Cardinals, two Gold Gloves, a Silver Slugger award, and three all-star selections. He was struggling with his ERAs from 2016 through 2019, but had another great season in 2020. For the first decade of his career, “Waino” was one of the best pitchers in baseball. He is currently 39, but if he can pitch as well as he did this season for a few more full seasons, he will probably find himself in Cooperstown. If he can’t, however, his fewer than 170 wins and 3.38 ERA are not going to cut it. 

Number 8: David Price (150-80, 3.31 ERA, 3.76 K/BB) 

David Price is going downhill and does not have the counting statistics that are typically looked upon as Hall of Fame worthy. He has one Cy Young Award and two second place finishes, plus two ERA Titles, strong rate statistics, and a fine season in 2018 at the age of 33, but he is 35 now and is losing opportunities to construct a very good Hall of Fame case. His 2018 season was his first really good season since 2015, when he captured his second ERA crown. His awards and achievements make him a legitimate candidate with a few more quality seasons, but so far, his overall numbers fall short as of now. 

Number 7: Cole Hamels (163-122, 3.43 ERA, 3.34 K/BB) 

Cole Hamels will be best remembered for his postseason efforts with the Phillies. He won a ring in 2008, and won both the NLCS and World Series MVP awards. He is a four time all-star with an outside shot at 3,000 strikeouts (he currently has 2,560, in itself an impressive total), but his win total and career ERA are not Hall of Fame worthy, and he appears to be going down at the age of 37. 

Number 6: Felix Hernandez (169-136, 3.41 ERA, 3.14 K/BB) 

King Felix has been a dominant pitcher on some terrible Mariners teams throughout his career. The six time all-star has a 2012 Cy Young Award, a second place finish in 2014, two ERA Titles, and a perfect game to his credit. Hernandez is not a quality pitcher anymore at 34 ½ and will need to get better if he wants to get the 476 strikeouts that he needs to automatically earn a plaque. If he can’t, he can kiss Cooperstown goodbye. 

Number 5: Jon Lester (193-111, 3.60 ERA, 2.86 K/BB) 

Jon Lester is 37 years old, and he is looking down the road to retirement. The five time all-star will almost assuredly reach 200 wins, and still has a decent shot to reach 3,000 strikeouts, and he went 19-5 with a 2.44 ERA for the World Series winning Cubs of 2016, their first title since 1908, ending the longest championship drought in American sports history. He was the 2016 NLCS MVP and has two more rings with the Red Sox. Other than his monumental 2016 season, he really makes a small mark on baseball’s 150+ year history, and he would not be a Hall of Famer without it, but the 2016 Cubs were such a big deal that Lester will probably see himself in Cooperstown someday. 

Number 4: Zack Greinke (208-126, 3.37 ERA, 3.98 K/BB) 

Zack Greinke is 37 years old and still a top pitcher. He had an off season in 2020 (who didn’t), but had an amazing season in 2019. The six time all-star has over 200 wins and nearly 3,000 strikeouts, two ERA Titles (including a 1.66 mark in 2015), a 2009 Cy Young Award, and a second place finish in 2015. He also has two Silver Sluggers and six Gold Gloves to his credit. His career statistics and awards make Greinke look like a lock for Cooperstown. The Hall of Fame will be calling Greinke before too long after he retires. 

Number 3: Max Scherzer (175-93, 3.21 ERA, 4.34 K/BB) 

At 36 ½, Scherzer is still one of the best pitchers in baseball. His strikeout numbers are insane. He has also allowed only 7.5 hits per nine innings across his career. “Mad Max” is a consistent winner, a seven time all-star, and a three time Cy Young Award winner. Scherzer’s case is simple, strong, and obvious. He’s a future Hall of Famer. 

Number 2: Justin Verlander (226-129, 3.33 ERA, 3.54 K/BB) 

Verlander is about to turn 38 years old, but he is still the best pitcher in the American League. He is the only player in history other than Don Newcombe to win the Rookie of the Year Award, a Cy Young Award (he has two), and a league MVP Award. He is an eight time all-star with a Triple Crown win in 2011, over 3,000 lifetime strikeouts, and a career 7.6 hits per nine innings ratio. Needless to say, Verlander is Hall of Fame worthy. 

Number 1: Clayton Kershaw (175-76, 2.43 ERA, 4.32 K/BB) 

Clayton Kershaw is 32 ½, but he has the best rate statistics out of anyone on this list by far. He has better counting statistics than most on this list as well. Three Cy Young Awards, a MVP Award, five ERA Titles (the most in NL history), a Triple Crown, and eight all-star selections certainly state Kershaw’s Hall of Fame case loud and clear. He posted a 2.16 ERA this season and is showing no signs of slowing down anytime soon. Even from a die-hard Giants fan, Kershaw is the top pitcher in baseball today and will probably be a first ballot Hall of Famer.