Hall of Famers We Are Watching in 2020

[Skipscards]

Ok, since we’ve established a HOF prospect thread, let’s help it out. Let’s predict which Hall of Fame players are we watching this year. In 2020, there will be at least 40 players (this is based on history and frankly will probably end up being low since there are lot more teams today than in the past) that will one day be enshrined in the Hall. Keep in mind, some of the 40 will barely play and some will be inducted 50 years after they pass. In other words, there may be someone active in 2020 that gets enshrined in 2140! So, aside from rampant specualtion on the cup of coffee players (though certainly feel free to engage in rampant speculation) what, let’s say, 35-40 players active in 2020 would you predict are a future Hall of Famer? Make your predictions and we’ll all come back in 2140 and see who was right...

Here’s mine. Though not in a specific order, they are as they popped in my head. So the top 10 I would say are mortal locks. Go ahead and buy your autos now. As the list progresses, I get more speculative unless I happened to forget someone early on (McCutchen and Yelich, for example). Also, I am sure I am forgetting someone, but here it goes:

1. Clayton Kershaw
2. Mike Trout
3. Albert Pujols
4. Justin Verlander
5. Zack Greinke
6. Miguel Cabrera
7. Buster Posey
8. Stephen Strasburg
9. Max Scherzer
10. Mookie Betts
11. Dustin Pedroia
12. Paul Goldschmidt
13. Joey Votto
14. Manny Machado
15. Bryce Harper
16. Jacob deGrom
17. Kris Bryant
18. Carlos Correa
19. Jose Altuve
20. Alex Bregman
21. Gerrit Cole
22. Salvador Perez
23. Madison Bumgarner
24. Robinson Cano
25. Cole Hamels
26. Evan Longoria
27. Chris Sale
28. Andrew McCutchen
29. Cody Bellinger
30. Corey Seager
31. Giancarlo Stanton
32. Aaron Judge
33. Juan Soto
34. Ronald Acuna Jr
35. Trea Turner
36. Mike Soroka
37. Vladimir Guerrero Jr
38. Fernando Tatis Jr
39. Bo Bichette
40. Christian Yelich

Yes, everyone knows my feelings on the users and is probably wondering why I would include Cano on this list. While I would never induct any user, I expect him (and all the users) to get in eventually. In the year 2080 voters of that time will think we were idiots for not inducting a second baseman with 3,000 hits or whatever. Also, I left out George Springer just to keep the list to 40. He’s just as likely to make it as several on my list.

We have enough PED discussions on this forum. So, let’s just focus on our idiotic predictions. Let’s see your list...

[Noles939913]

Freddie Freeman is a glaring omission.

[Skipscards]

Originally Posted by Noles939913

Freddie Freeman is a glaring omission.

Great catch. Yep. I missed him.

[SaltyCracker]

Lindor

[Skipscards]

Originally Posted by SaltyCracker

Lindor

He’s has undoubtedly gotten off to a HOF start. My concern on him is wear and tear. He has played a lot. But I could absolutely see him making it.

[Noles939913]

-Ozzie Albies

-Nick Markakis...he’s going to “compile” his way to 3,000 hits and BO will lose their collective minds.

-Justin Upton...will play until he’s like 44 and will “compile” his way to either 500 HRs or 3,000 hits.

[Hollywood42]

Felix Hernandez?

[Noles939913]

I don’t see McCutchen making it all. Who knows though he has a nose ring now so matter that’ll help him rediscover his youth.

[LesExpos]

It's a great list but here's my opinion;

1. Clayton Kershaw
2. Mike Trout
3. Albert Pujols
4. Justin Verlander
5. Zack Greinke
6. Miguel Cabrera
7. Buster Posey
8. Stephen Strasburg (still on the outside looking in)
9. Max Scherzer
10. Joey Votto

To me these are really the only guys who are 100%ers (except Strasburg without at least 2 more dominant seasons). Degrom is on his way, but he's still basically Tim Lincecum without 3 more really dominant years.

The next gen that still need a few more years...

11. Dustin Pedroia (he's done, he'll come up short sadly)
12. Paul Goldschmidt (needs 3 more good years)
14. Manny Machado (needs 4-5 more 30+ homer years)
15. Bryce Harper (probably needs to play 150 games 4 of the next 5 years)
16. Jacob deGrom
17. Kris Bryant (needs 3-4 more dominant years)
18. Carlos Correa (needs to be healthy)
19. Jose Altuve (if they end up finding a wire he's toast)

Cano (drugs), Baumer and Hamels (both just shy) will all be on the outside looking in. Probably closest guy on the list 30+ is Longo, but he has to get the counting stats to get in. And he's close. Everybody else needs multiple big seasons to get there. But it's a good list!

[palmetto7]

I dont see Gleyber.....I must be blind.

[Noles939913]

Originally Posted by Hollywood42

Felix Hernandez?

From what I’ve read most think it’s a long shot he makes the Braves roster this year so if that happens we won’t be watching him in 2020. Hope I’m wrong.

[Wrathofmarcos]

I love the list, and the idea. But.. Buster Posey?

[Neo]

Very solid list. I think my only other inclusions beyond what has been mentioned would be purely speculative/massive upside guys that will or might debut this year, which you mentioned. Robert. Hopefully a Wander cup of coffee.

Bo Bichette's inclusion on your list is a welcome surprise. That bat is special. Not to mention the flow.

[BBases31]

Originally Posted by Skipscards

22. Salvador Perez

He has 10 career WAR

[Skipscards]

Originally Posted by Noles939913

-Ozzie Albies

-Nick Markakis...he’s going to “compile” his way to 3,000 hits and BO will lose their collective minds.

-Justin Upton...will play until he’s like 44 and will “compile” his way to either 500 HRs or 3,000 hits.

Could be. Getting 3,000 is incredibly difficult. People said the same exact thing about Damon and Omar when they were threatening the club.

Originally Posted by Hollywood42

Felix Hernandez?

Yeah, I hope he makes it, but I think he’s finished.

Originally Posted by Noles939913

I don’t see McCutchen making it all. Who knows though he has a nose ring now so matter that’ll help him rediscover his youth.

Maybe. He kind of fits the Dwight Evans mold for me and I think Duey makes it eventually. Plus McCutchen has an MVP.

Originally Posted by LesExpos

It's a great list but here's my opinion;

1. Clayton Kershaw
2. Mike Trout
3. Albert Pujols
4. Justin Verlander
5. Zack Greinke
6. Miguel Cabrera
7. Buster Posey
8. Stephen Strasburg (still on the outside looking in)
9. Max Scherzer
10. Joey Votto

To me these are really the only guys who are 100%ers (except Strasburg without at least 2 more dominant seasons). Degrom is on his way, but he's still basically Tim Lincecum without 3 more really dominant years.

The next gen that still need a few more years...

11. Dustin Pedroia (he's done, he'll come up short sadly)
12. Paul Goldschmidt (needs 3 more good years)
14. Manny Machado (needs 4-5 more 30+ homer years)
15. Bryce Harper (probably needs to play 150 games 4 of the next 5 years)
16. Jacob deGrom
17. Kris Bryant (needs 3-4 more dominant years)
18. Carlos Correa (needs to be healthy)
19. Jose Altuve (if they end up finding a wire he's toast)

Cano (drugs), Baumer and Hamels (both just shy) will all be on the outside looking in. Probably closest guy on the list 30+ is Longo, but he has to get the counting stats to get in. And he's close. Everybody else needs multiple big seasons to get there. But it's a good list!

Thanks. I think Madison is already going to make it even with a mediocre finish to his career.

Originally Posted by palmetto7

I dont see Gleyber.....I must be blind.

Hahaha. Maybe.

Originally Posted by Wrathofmarcos

I love the list, and the idea. But.. Buster Posey?

Originally Posted by Neo

Very solid list. I think my only other inclusions beyond what has been mentioned would be purely speculative/massive upside guys that will or might debut this year, which you mentioned. Robert. Hopefully a Wander cup of coffee.

Bo Bichette's inclusion on your list is a welcome surprise. That bat is special. Not to mention the flow.

Thanks. Bichette has crushed the ball at every level. And I mean dominance that typically you only see with future HOFers.

[Noles939913]

Originally Posted by BBases31

He has 10 career WAR

No he certainly doesn’t. But even if he did nobody cares about WAR...6x All-Star and 5 Gold Gloves.

[Neo]

Originally Posted by BBases31

He has 10 career WAR

It's a good post. One homer pick allowed. Also catchers are magic.

[HarryLime]

I think 40 seems high. I did a HOF set for 1987 and there were only hihg-20s in it.

Obviously a long way to go on a lot of these guys so I'll break it into two camps -- the locks and the hopefuls.

Locks:
1. Clayton Kershaw
2. Mike Trout
3. Albert Pujols
4. Justin Verlander
5. Zack Greinke
6. Miguel Cabrera
7. Max Scherzer
8. Robinson Cano

Hopefuls:
9. Paul Goldschmidt
10. Joey Votto
11. Manny Machado
12. Bryce Harper
13. Jacob deGrom
14. Kris Bryant
15. Carlos Correa
16. Jose Altuve
17. Alex Bregman
18. Gerrit Cole
19. Salvador Perez
20. Madison Bumgarner
21. Cody Bellinger
22. Christian Yelich
23. Mookie Betts
24. Lindor
25. Freeman

Arthur

[Skipscards]

Originally Posted by BBases31

He has 10 career WAR

Yep. He sure does...x2. Of all the positions, WAR has mattered least for Relievers and Catchers. But post your 40 and we’ll compare in 2080.

[Skipscards]

Originally Posted by HarryLime

I think 40 seems high. I did a HOF set for 1987 and there were only hihg-20s in it.

Obviously a long way to go on a lot of these guys so I'll break it into two camps -- the locks and the hopefuls.

Locks:
1. Clayton Kershaw
2. Mike Trout
3. Albert Pujols
4. Justin Verlander
5. Zack Greinke
6. Miguel Cabrera
7. Max Scherzer
8. Robinson Cano

Hopefuls:
9. Paul Goldschmidt
10. Joey Votto
11. Manny Machado
12. Bryce Harper
13. Jacob deGrom
14. Kris Bryant
15. Carlos Correa
16. Jose Altuve
17. Alex Bregman
18. Gerrit Cole
19. Salvador Perez
20. Madison Bumgarner
21. Cody Bellinger
22. Christian Yelich
23. Mookie Betts
24. Lindor
25. Freeman

Arthur

There are already 35 HOFers that were active in 1987. And others still to come:
1987 HOFers...

Niekro
Reggie
Sutton
Sutter
Simmons
Carlton
Schmidt
Rice
Carter
Blyleven
Yount
Ryan
Fisk
Brett
Morris
Goose
Winfield
Kirby
Trammell
Ozzie
Dawson
Lee Smith
Sandberg
Murray
Molitor
Eck
Boggs
Ripken
Gwynn
Baines
Rickey
Edgar Martinez
Larkin
Maddux
Glavine

[BBases31]

Originally Posted by Skipscards

Yep. He sure does...x2. Of all the positions, WAR has mattered least for Relievers and Catchers. But post your 40 and we’ll compare in 2080.

Ok throw me a bone here. Travis D'Arnaud has more career WAR in 400 less games. Why is he off the list? Jonathan Lucroy has TRIPLE Perez's WAR in only 10% more games. Where's he? Mike Zunino is a year younger with 35% more WAR in 200 less games. Why are these guys all behind Perez? Because of 1 World Series ring?

Overall yours is a pretty good list

[Trueblue]

...arenado

[Noles939913]

Originally Posted by BBases31

Ok throw me a bone here. Travis D'Arnaud has more career WAR in 400 less games. Why is he off the list? Jonathan Lucroy has TRIPLE Perez's WAR in only 10% more games. Where's he? Mike Zunino is a year younger with 35% more WAR in 200 less games. Why are these guys all behind Perez? Because of 1 World Series ring?

Because Perez is better than all of them and WAR is stupid not to mention your numbers are all way off. Lucroy actually has less WAR than Perez and you say it’s triple his?!? Zunino and D’Arnaud also have far less WAR than Perez. The hell exactly are you talking about? Are you not real smart or have you been hitting the crack pipe?

[Neo]

Originally Posted by Trueblue

...arenado

An omission, for sure. He's on track.

[ljack3]

Yadier Molina? If you think Perez has a shot, surely Molina has a chance.