Who, playing now, IS a future Hall of Famer?

[yakubripper]

Just got done reading the Kerry Wood Hall of Fame question and that's pretty much been settled, no hall of fame for poor ol Kerry Wood. It got me thinking though, who in your opinion is Hall worthy at this point?
Who do you think is on the bubble? And what players introduced in the last 3 to 4 years is looking Hall-bound?

[Dodgerbluemmm24]

Kershaw and Strasburg if healthy (knock on wood) I can see making the HoF. Their stuff is that good.

[mtf]

Players in the first 3-4 years of their career that have a shot? Brett Lawrie, Stephen Strasburg, Mike Trout, Matt Moore, Bryce Harper, Clayton Kershaw

Players that have likely done enough to earn a spot? Albert Pujols, Roy Halladay and Derek Jeter.

[More-Than-Most]

Now Halladay/FatAlbert/Arod/Jeter/Ichiro-I am forgetting a ton of guys

[GrumpyOldMan]

Now Halladay/FatAlbert/Arod/Jeter/Ichiro-I am forgetting a ton of guys

This...plus Mariano Rivera, Chipper Jones, and maybe Manny has an outside chance. That's all I can think of.

[turnaround3]

There's only 4 current 100% can't miss slam dunks right now:

Pujols
Rivera
Jeter
Chipper



Then there's guys in the twilight of their career who have arguments to be made for them:

Suzuki
Konerko
Helton
Vizquel


And finally a handful who have been at it for well over a half-decade that if they maintain the pace they're on probably won't have any problem:

Halladay
Verlander
Cabrera
Sabathia






People will undoubtedly notice A-Rod isn't on any of these lists. His #'s are of course Hall worthy but at the same time he's an admitted user. The Hall has thus far not been too kind to the likes of those (McGwire) nor the suspected (Sosa, Bagwell, etc.) If he makes it, it definitely won't be on the first ballot. And I think first-ballot HOF'ers are essentially what's being asked here. Manny & to a lesser extent Ortiz also fit this criteria.

[canefandynasty]

Players in the first 3-4 years of their career that have a shot? Brett Lawrie, Stephen Strasburg, Mike Trout, Matt Moore, Bryce Harper, Clayton Kershaw

Players that have likely done enough to earn a spot? Albert Pujols, Roy Halladay and Derek Jeter.

Starlin Castro? Giancarlo Stanton?

[getfoul]

I've thought about doing this topic. I think the peak amount of future Hall of Famers was 1968. With Santo being added, I believe there were 40 future Hall of Famers that played in that season.

So from Jim Thome down to Mike Trout and Bryce Harper, who are the 40 players playing in 2012 that will be in the Hall someday? You can count Manny Ramirez, Miguel Tejada and Vlad Guerrero if you want.

Let's ignore the steroid topic for this purpose.

80-some candidates (Some locks, some compilers if they continue to compile, some young stars):
I'm bolding guys I like or hope to get there (not that they will):
Dustin Pedroia
David Ortiz
Adrian Gonzalez
Josh Beckett
Jon Lester
Alex Rodriguez-X
Derek Jeter- X
Mark Teixeira
Mariano Rivera-X
Robinson Cano
Andy Pettitte
CC Sabathia
Evan Longoria
David Price
Jeremy Hellickson
Ricky Romero
Omar Vizquel- X
Brett Lawrie
Paul Konerko
Chris Sale
Adam Dunn
Miguel Cabrera
Prince Fielder
Justin Verlander
Alex Avila
Johnny Damon
Eric Hosmer
Joe Mauer
Adrian Beltre
Josh Hamilton
Mike Young
Elvis Andrus
Yu Darvish
Albert Pujols- X
Mike Trout
Bobby Abreu
Jered Weaver
Ichiro Suzuki- X
Felix Hernandez
Bryce Harper
Ryan Zimmerman
Stephen Strasburg
Chipper Jones- X
Brian McCann
Freddie Freeman
Jason Heyward
Tim Hudson
Hanley Ramirez
Jose Reyes
Giancarlo Stanton
Mark Buehrle
David Wright
Johan Santana
Chase Utley
Jimmy Rollins
Jim Thome- X
Ryan Howard
Roy Halladay
Cliff Lee
Jonathan Papelbon
Cole Hamels
Joey Votto
Jay Bruce
Aroldis Chapman
Scott Rolen
Yadier Molina
Matt Holliday
Carlos Beltran
Lance Berkman
Chris Carpenter
Adam Wainwright
Andrew McCutchen
Ryan Braun
Zach Greinke
Starlin Castro
Matt Kemp
Clayton Kershaw
Buster Posey
Matt Cain
Madison Bumgarner
Tim Lincecum
Justin Upton
Troy Tulowitzki
Todd Helton
Carlos Gonzalez

[Joemoes]

At least 20 on that list will never make it. Chapman Bruce??? Really

[getfoul]

At least 20 on that list will never make it. Chapman Bruce??? Really

There's over 40 players on that list that won't make it. Did you read everything I wrote, or just look at the list?

I listed young players with potential to get better, locks, and compilers that will need to continue to compile.

[Jeffy25]

Halladay, Jeter, Rivera, A-Rod, Pujols, Ichiro, Chipper, Thome, Miggy, Rolen

Then you have some bubble guys
Beltre, Helton, Beltran, Manny, Abreu, Berkman, Hudson, C.C

And then you have the guys that are too young to honestly answer, but could end up getting there
Verlander, Felix H, Mauer, Braun, Longoria, Pedroia, Cano, Tulo, Zimmerman, Votto, McCann, Greinke, Cain, Weaver, Lincecum, Kershaw


Then you have some guys that don't really fit into any of the above categories but deserve mention: Buehrle, Santana, Damon, Giambi, Utley

[getfoul]

Rolen is a lock? I looked him up when I made my list of potentials. I get that he's a superior defensive player. I probably should have put him on the list of potentials (and will), but I just don't see him as a lock.

One thing is for sure...deciding who is and who is not a Hall of Famer is tougher than ever.

[Bean]

Could retire tomorrow and get in:

Chipper Jones
Albert Pujols
Derek Jeter
Mariano Rivera
Jim Thome
Ichiro Suzuki

Would be in that group if not for 'Roids:

Manny Ramirez
Alex Rodriguez
Andy Pettitte

Well on their way:

Roy Halladay (He goes in the top category once he reaches 200 wins. HOF voters like numbers)
Jonathan Papelbon
Miguel Cabrera
Justin Verlander
Prince Fielder
Dustin Pedroia
Tim Lincecum
CC Sabathia
Felix Hernandez (Forgot about him )

Ryan Braun would be in this category, but I think voters might hold his dirty test against him even though it was overturned. If Josh Hamilton can stay healthy, he could get in. Lance Berkman and Todd Helton will be good discussions when they retire. Omar Vizquel and Jamie Moyer's longevity might get them in.

[whitesoxfan83]

Halladay, Jeter, Rivera, A-Rod, Pujols, Ichiro, Chipper, Thome, Miggy, Rolen

Then you have some bubble guys
Beltre, Helton, Beltran, Manny, Abreu, Berkman, Hudson, C.C

And then you have the guys that are too young to honestly answer, but could end up getting there
Verlander, Felix H, Mauer, Braun, Longoria, Pedroia, Cano, Tulo, Zimmerman, Votto, McCann, Greinke, Cain, Weaver, Lincecum, Kershaw


Then you have some guys that don't really fit into any of the above categories but deserve mention: Buehrle, Santana, Damon, Giambi, Utley

Seems pretty spot on.

[getfoul]

Bean, thanks for mentioning Papelbon and Pettitte. I added both to the list.

I left Moyer off. He won't get to 300, and he just wasn't that good. Not hall worthy.

I think Vizquel should stay out, but he'll make it. I'm convinced of that.

And despite the bad year, I'd add Teixeira to the "Well on their way" list.