MLB Predictions: Making Cooperstown Case for 25 of Today's MLB Stars
It's every boy's dream to one day get that call from Cooperstown and become a Hall of Fame ballplayer. Nothing is different for those already in the big leagues, but few of the MLB's players will actually make the cut.
We are getting to watch some future Hall of Famers; some in their prime, others riding into the sunset and others just getting started.
Here are cases for 25 stars to make the Hall of Fame.
25. Josh Hamilton
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Josh Hamilton got a a late start, which really hurts his chances. It's going to take some serious longevity and monster production—much like he showed in 2010.
But if Hamilton can continue to vie for the batting crown, hit 35+ home runs and 100+ RBIs for another seven seasons, Hamilton will make the argument tough to ignore.
It wouldn't hurt to replicate his 1.00 fielding percentage earned in 2010 either.
24. Evan Longoria
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Evan Longoria is one of the great young players in the game today. At age 25, Longoria has plenty of baseball in front of him.
His on base percentage has improved each of his first three seasons and was at .372 in 2010. Longoria has become 100 RBI player with decent power and strong fielding.
Barring serious injury problems, Longoria should continue to get better and one day have no question about his worthiness.
23. Carl Crawford
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Carl Crawford doesn't have one stat particularly stand out—well, maybe his stolen bases—he does everything well.
He put it all together in 2010 with career highs in RBI (90), runs (110), slugging percentage (.495) and OPS (.891). Crawford has stolen 50 or more bases five times in his career and 40 or more two other years.
He was finally recognized for his fielding in 2010 with a Gold Glove. More of the same for the next several years, and he'll be in.
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22. David Price
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David Price have only give us a small sampling so far, but it's enough to predict this young man as one of premier pitchers in baseball for years to come.
His 2.72 ERA was the seventh best in baseball in 2010. His .760 winning percentage was the best.
Price will end his career with 10+ 15-win seasons and will likely surpass 200 career wins.
21. Hanley Ramirez
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Hanley had a bit of a setback year in 2010. After all, he only hit .300, had 32 stolen bases and went to the All-Star game.
It's a setback season only to players like Ramirez, who have set the bar at a Hall of Fame level.
He's never hit under .300 in a full season and has rare power for a shortstop with 124 home runs in five full seasons.
20. Chris Carpenter
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Chris Carpenter has quietly been on of the most effective starting pitchers for the past several years. He was voted into the Top Three of Cy Young voting three times, winning in 2005.
It's going to take a few more seasons at an elite level, and he's not going to be a first-ballot guy, but Carpenter has put together a HOF career.
19. Chase Utley
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Chase Utley is probably never going to win an MVP with Ryan Howard, Jimmy Rollins and others on his team. Now that Jason Werth has left town, more batting responsibility falls to Utley.
He's been voted as high as seventh in the MVP voting and was voted eighth twice. He hits for contact and power, drives in and scores runs and field his position very well.
18. Scott Rolen
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Scott Rolen's rocket arm has helped him field the hot corner to the tune of eight Gold Gloves.
Only 131 players in the history of the majors have batted in more runs.
Who knows what he still has left? After all, he rejuvenated his career in 2010.
17. David Wright
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169 home runs. 664 RBIs. Five all-star games and two gold gloves...
And David Wright is probably not even halfway done.
Wright is one of the best batting third baseman in the game's history, exemplified by his career .899 OPS.
After another five seasons of similar production, Wright will be a no-brainer.
16. Joe Mauer
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Joe Mauer doesn't hit a bunch of home runs. He's never driven in 100 RBI in a season. But is there any question he's headed to the Hall of Fame when it's all said and done?
He's .327 career batter and has had more walks than strikeouts in every season from 2006 forward.
His defense isn't spectacular, but it's far from a liability.
15. Andy Pettitte
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Andy Pettitte is 13th all-time among left-handed pitchers with 240. That's good for second best among active pitchers.
All that despite playing much of his career in the modern, five-pitcher rotation era. He only has a couple of seasons left in him, so 265 is likely about where Pettitte will end up.
He's been reliable for more than 15 seasons and spectacular much of the time.
14. Roy Halladay
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Roy Halladay has arguably been the best pitcher in baseball over the last 10 years. In that time, he's won two Cy Young awards and been in the top-five of voting five times.
Halladay is on the cusp of breaking into the top-100 all-time in strikeouts and will be in the top-50—at least—when he decides to retire.
13. Mark Teixeira
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Teixeira's batting average took a hit in 2010. He hit .256 while used to hitting around .300. But even with his struggles getting on base safely, he still hit 33 home runs and 108 RBIs.
When he's on, Teixeira is one of the best batters in baseball. He's also one of the best fielding first baseman in the game.
And, oh yeah. He's only 30!
12. Vladimir Guerrero
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Vlad Guerrero has been one of the best power production hitters in baseball for over a decade. He's hit 30 or more home runs eight times in his career and batted in over 100 runs 10 times.
He got his career back on track in 2010 and looks like he still has some elite play left in him. He won't get in on his first try, but Vlad shouldn't take too long when his career is over. He's at 436 career home runs and could get very close to 500.
11. Chipper Jones
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Somehow, this is a debate in some circles. Chipper Jones is one of the best power-hitting switch-hitters in the game's history. His 436 home runs are best all time in the National League among switch-hitters.
Chipper is a .306 career hitter. He once batted in more than 100 runs in eight straight seasons and was MVP in 1999.
10. Manny Ramirez
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Manny Ramirez's numbers speak for themselves: 555 home runs, .313 career hitter, .998 career OPS.
But as we saw, it take two tries for Roberto Alomar to get in supposedly because of assessment of his character despite some of the best numbers from a second-basemen all-time, it could also take Ramirez multiple tries.
He's failed drug tests, been lambasted for his fielding and base-running and hasn't always seemed to play the game fans have wanted out of him. He'll get in eventually, it might just take a little while.
9. Ichiro Suzuki
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If only Ichiro had come to America before the 2001 season. He's still put together a phenomenal career, but would he be closing in on Pete Rose in a couple of seasons had he started in the States at 24-years-old?
Ichiro must be considered one of the greatest batters of all time. His worst season as a hitter was in 2005 when he batted .303.
Ichiro has also earned a Gold Glove in each of his 10 seasons.
8. Omar Vizquel
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Omar Vizquel is one of the great defensive infielders in baseball's history. He's earned 11 Gold Gloves.
Vizquel's best batting days were a decade ago and still he's going strong. It won't be immediate, but Vizquel will get an invite eventually.
7. Pedro Martinez
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When Pedro Martinez was at his best, he was dominant to say the least, earning him three Cy Young awards. He was runner-up twice.
Pedro is 13th all-time with 3,154 strikeouts and hopes to add to that total. He's currently a free agent.
6. Ivan Rodriguez
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Pudge Rodriguez has won 13 Gold Gloves, solidifying himself as one of the best defensive catchers in the MLB's history.
Add to that his .298 career batting average, 309 home runs and 14 All-Star games, and Rodriguez is a shoo-in Hall of Famer.
5. Jim Thome
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Is there a more under-appreciated player in the major leagues of the course of his career than Jim Thome?
He's never done better than fourth in MVP voting. Yet, he has 589 home runs with .963 career OPS while enjoying his small markets.
Not that it matters for the Hall, but he is reportedly one of the nicest guys you'll ever meet.
4. Derek Jeter
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It seems like either people overrate Derek Jeter, or they underrate him. That was evidenced by his contract negotiations this offseason that saw one group of people backing him up and the other vilifying him.
He's a .314 career batter and a terrific defender. Jeter has made himself into one of the most consistent players in the league through his career. And he has four World Series rings.
3. Mariano Rivera
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Mariano Rivera is possibly the greatest relief pitcher of all time. His 559 saves are second all time and first among active players now that Trevor Hoffman retired.
There is maybe a no more intimidating presence in sports. When Mo gets on the mound with a one-run lead and needing only three outs, you can just about call it over.
2. Alex Rodriguez
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Alex Rodriguez is a three-time MVP, has 613 career home runs and is a career .303 hitter.
And there's that little bugaboo about his steroid use.
The precedent for steroid users making the Hall will be long set before A-Rod is up for election. He might have to wait, but he'll make it in.
1. Albert Pujols
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When Albert Pujols hangs up his cleats, he may do so not only as a Hall of Famer to be, but as the greatest player in the game's history. He's that good.
We could go through all the stats, but they're just numbers.He'll end up among the all-time leaders in batting average, home runs, RBIs and OPS.
And he's one of the defensive greats at first base.
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