Future Baseball Hall of Famers by Team

These players could end up in Cooperstown after their playing days are over.

Future Baseball Hall of Famers by Team

Christian Yelich has become a home run-hitting machine for the Milwaukee Brewers.

The National Baseball Hall of Fame introduces a new class every year. The coronation sparks debate over vote totals, who is worthy for induction and who got snubbed. But a few players have indisputable credentials.

In today's major league game, some players are sure bets to be enshrined in Cooperstown. And plenty more will get there if they maintain their pace of early success.

These are MLB's future Hall of Famers — the players who have the best shot of being immortalized from all 30 teams.

Note: All stats are through the 2018 season.

Atlanta Braves: Freddie Freeman

Position: First base

Experience: 10 years, all with Braves (2010-present)

Career stats: .293 BA, .875 OPS, 189 HR, 1,275 H, 33.1 WAR

Other Braves HOF candidates: Ronald Acuna

Bottom line: Freeman may be on the verge of entering his 30s, but he also is getting better at the plate.

After swinging for the fences a bit in 2016, he shrank the strike zone in 2017, posting a career low in strikeouts, and delivered another patient year in 2018.

He has the durability and skills to play another 10 years while piling up numbers.

Arizona Diamondbacks: Zack Greinke

Position: Starting pitcher

Experience: 16 years (2004-present)

Other teams: Kansas City Royals, Los Angeles Dodgers, Milwaukee Brewers, Los Angeles Angels

Career stats: 2,435 Ks, 2,663.1 IP, 3.39 ERA, 61.5 WAR

Other Diamondbacks HOF candidates: Adam Jones

Bottom line: Zack Greinke wasted his prime years of brilliance on a few historically bad Royals teams, where he posted 200- plus innings three times and won a Cy Young.

His years in the National League West with the Diamondbacks and Dodgers also have been stellar, making the All-Star team four out of five seasons from 2014 to 2018.

Baltimore Orioles: Chance Sisco

Position: Catcher

Experience: 2 years, all with Orioles (2017-present)

Career stats: .197 BA, .626 OPS, 4 HR, 35 H, 0.2 WAR

Bottom line: Chance Sisco was the top prospect in the Orioles system in 2017.

He has yet to log a full season of at-bats in the big leagues but graded out as an elite level hitter in the minors.

The Birds hope to see his talent bloom at the major league level. If it doesn't, Baltimore does not have much more potential Hall of Fame talent on the farm.

Boston Red Sox: Chris Sale

Position: Starting pitcher

Experience: 10 years (2010 -present)

Other teams: Chicago White Sox

Career stats: 1,789 Ks, 2,117.2 IP, 3.39 ERA, 61.5 WAR

Other Red Sox HOF candidates: Dustin Pedroia, Mookie Betts

Bottom line: Seven consecutive All-Star appearances, six 200-plus strikeout seasons and a filthy slider are just three reasons why Chris Sale belongs on this list.

Although he's off to a slow start in 2019, the left-hander is only entering his age 30 season and has shown the ability to handle the overwhelming pressure of playing in Boston.

Chicago Cubs: Cole Hamels

Position: Starting pitcher

Experience: 14 years (2006-present)

Other teams: Texas Rangers, Philadelphia Phillies

Career stats: 2,415 Ks, 2,553 IP, 3.40 ERA, 56.4 WAR

Other Cubs candidates: Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo, Jon Lester

Bottom line: Often forgotten amongst the best and most reliable arms in the game, Cole Hamels has built an impressive resume with consistent production over the course of his career.

He was at the height of his powers in the late 2000s on some spectacular Phillies teams and seemed to have regained some of that magic in Chicago, posting a 2.36 ERA in 12 starts for the Cubs in 2018.

Chicago White Sox: Yoan Moncada

Position: Second base/third base

Experience: 4 years (2016-present)

Career stats: .234 BA, .715 OPS, 25 HR, 186 H, 3.5 WAR

Bottom line: Yoan Moncada was the main piece the White Sox got as part of the Chris Sale deal with the Red Sox.

Although Moncada struck out a major league-leading 217 times in his first full season in 2018, the 23-year-old flashed positives, including some power with 17 homers.

Can he turn potential into production on an everyday basis?

Cincinnati Reds: Joey Votto

Position: First base

Experience: 13 years, all with Reds (2007-present)

Career stats: .311 BA, .957 OPS, 269 HR, 1,729 H, 58.8 WAR

Bottom line: One of the most underrated ballplayers of the last decade.

Joey Votto's numbers put him among the elite of the sport, and his defense at first base only adds to his value.

He has shown a commitment to excellence despite the Reds constantly being in rebuilding node.

Cleveland Indians: Corey Kluber

Position: Starting pitcher

Experience: 9 years, all with Indians (2011-present)

Career stats: 1,423 Ks, 1,306 IP, 3.09 ERA, 33.6 WAR

Other Indians HOF candidates: Francisco Lindor

Bottom line: Corey Kluber was a bit of a late bloomer, but man, did he bloom.

Since his age 28 season, he is 83-45 with 1,228 strikeouts and a 2.85 ERA. He’s also tossed 17 complete games in that span.

It remains to be seen how the voters of future Hall classes will judge pitchers from this era, but Kluber warrants strong consideration already.

Colorado Rockies: Nolan Arenado

Position: Third base

Experience: 7 years, all with Rockies (2013-present)

Career stats: .291 BA, .886 OPS, 186 HR, 975 H, 33.1 WAR

Bottom line: Nolan Arenado just re-upped with the Rockies for a well-earned massive payday, and it seems to be a mutually beneficial relationship thus far.

Although his career spans only six full seasons, the power-hitting third baseman has cemented himself as a perennial All-Star, making the team four times and adding six Gold Glove awards to his list of accolades.

Detroit Tigers: Miguel Cabrera

Position: Third base/first base/designated hitter

Experience: 17 years (2003-present)

Other teams: Miami Marlins

Career stats: .316 BA, .946 OPS, 465 HR, 2,676 H, 69.4 WAR

Bottom line: Miguel Cabrera has been one of the most feared hitters in the American League for a decade, and only now has begun to show a few chinks in his armor.

Injuries have hampered the graceful aging process we all expected, but he did mash 38 homers as recently as 2016.

Regardless of the player he is going forward, Cabrera is a no-doubter for Cooperstown.

Houston Astros: Justin Verlander

Position: Starting pitcher

Experience: 15 years (2005-present)

Other teams: Detroit Tigers

Career stats: 2,706 Ks, 2,759.1 IP, 3.39 ERA, 63.8 WAR

Bottom line: Justin Verlander pulled off one of the greatest mid-career turnarounds in recent memory.

After debuting as a flame-throwing ace for the Tigers, he began to tail off as he reached his 30s, posting a pair of mediocre seasons before being sent to Houston.

With the contending Astros, Verlander regained his powers, turning back the clock to become a dominant ace yet again, and helping the Astros win their first World Series.

Kansas City Royals: Salvador Perez

Position: Catcher

Experience: 9 years, all with Royals (2011-present)

Career stats: .266 BA, .739 OPS, 141 HR, 942 H, 22.2 WAR

Bottom line: Salvador Perez captained two of the best teams in Royals history, the world champion team in 2015 and the Game 7 losers to the Giants in 2014.

But even without the World Series MVP and postseason success, he’d belong here. The 28-year-old has been an All-Star six times, with five Gold Gloves.

He will miss the entire 2019 season after having Tommy John surgery, but expect him to rebound to like a champ.

Los Angeles Angels: Albert Pujols

Position: First base/designated hitter

Experience: 19 years (2001-present)

Other teams: St. Louis Cardinals

Career stats: .302 BA, .936 OPS, 633 HR, 3,082 H, 100 WAR

Other Angles HOF candidates: Mike Trout

Bottom line: Albert Pujols cemented his legacy before he took a single at-bat for the Angels.

His time as the first and third baseman for the Cardinals was some of the best we have seen from a right-handed hitter, rivaling Manny Ramirez and Miguel Cabrera for the best of the generation.

Pujols has become a slightly above-replacement-level hitter as he adds to his awe-inspiring stats.

Los Angeles Dodgers: Clayton Kershaw

Position: Starting pitcher

Experience: 12 years, all with Dodgers (2008-present)

Career stats: 2275 Ks, 2,096.1 IP, 2.39 ERA, 62.1 WAR

Bottom line: Clayton Kershaw has been dominating the National League for the better part of the last decade.

Postseason struggles aside, Kershaw shows an ability to adapt with decreasing velocity without skipping a beat.

He is a shoo-in for the Hall, but many are curious how his greatness will age. Even though he’s only 31, the amount of innings he’s logged implies he is due for a downturn.

Miami Marlins: Brian Anderson

Position: Third base

Experience: 3 years (2017-present)

Career stats: .272 BA, .750 OPS, 11 HR, 183 H, 3.8 WAR

Bottom line: Brian Anderson, not Ronald Acuna or Juan Soto or even Shohei Ohtani, led all rookies in WAR in 2018.

While Anderson's ceiling is not comparable with those mentioned for a variety of reasons, he was a bright spot for an otherwise moribund franchise.

If Miami can put young pieces together, Anderson has the potential to be a top on-base guy in baseball.

Milwaukee Brewers: Christian Yelich

Position: Outfield

Experience: 7 years (2013-present)

Other teams: Miami Marlins

Career stats: .297 BA, .838 OPS, 95 HR, 906 H, 26.5 WAR

Bottom line: Christian Yelich had a breakout season for the Brewers in 2018, earning his first MVP trophy and leading the Brew Crew to the postseason.

The centerpiece of what they are building in Milwaukee, Yelich should be racking up big numbers for years to come.

Minnesota Twins: José Berríos

Position: Starting pitcher

Experience: 4 years, all with Twins (2016-present)

Career stats: 390 Ks, 396.1 IP, 4.47 ERA, 4.1 WAR

Bottom line: The Twins struck gold with Jose Berrios, who blossomed into a true ace for the team in 2018.

He topped 200 strikeouts for the first time in 2018 and is poised to be the next in a line of dominant AL Central strikeout artists, with the potential to top 300 in a season if he stays healthy.

New York Mets: Robinson Cano

Position: Second base

Experience: 15 years (2005-present)

Other teams: Seattle Mariners, New York Yankees

Career stats: .304 BA, .848 OPS, 311 HR, 2470 H, 69.2 WAR

Bottom line: Many batted their eyes when Robinson Cano received an epic payday from Seattle a few years ago, but he has lived up to his contract at the plate.

While no longer a threat to hit 30 home runs, he remains a consistent hitter and is a threat to join the 3,000-hit club.

New York Yankees: Giancarlo Stanton

Position: Outfield/designated hitter

Experience: 10 years (2010-present)

Other teams: Miami Marlins

Career stats: .268 BA, .905 OPS, 305 HR, 1,124 H, 39.2 WAR

Other Yankees HOF candidates: CC Sabathia, Aaron Judge

Bottom line: Giancarlo Stanton was hot and cold in his first season in the Bronx in 2018, but the one thing that stayed consistent was his power, belting 38 hone runs.

His strikeout rate (one K every 3.6 plate appearances) is alarming, but it is impossible to ignore Stanton's power, which will be his legacy in baseball.

Philadelphia Phillies: Andrew McCutchen

Position: Outfield

Experience: 11 years (2009-present)

Other teams: San Francisco Giants, New York Yankees, Pittsburgh Pirates

Career stats: .287 BA, .859 OPS, 223 HR, 1,608 H, 42.0 WAR

Other Phillies HOF candidates: Bryce Harper

Bottom line: Andrew McCutchen is no longer the speedy slugger who won an MVP for the Pirates in 2013.

He went to five straight All-Star games for Pittsburgh, but has seen a downturn since 2016, most notably in the power department.

An everyday spot in the Phillies' hitter-friendly ballpark in a lineup filled with young stars should help that, and may be one or two more strong seasons from locking down a spot in Cooperstown.

Pittsburgh Pirates: Gregory Polanco

Position: Right field

Experience: 5 years, all with Pirates (2014-present)

Career stats: .254 BA, .742 OPS, 72 HR, 565 H, 6.4 WAR

Bottom line: Gregory Polanco was enjoying his best season in the bigs when it was derailed by a dislocated shoulder in 2018.

He already had set a career high in home runs and walks, showing improvement in his patience and power.

In the midst of a retooling, here’s hoping the Pirates can supply enough talent around him to give him plenty of RBI opportunities.

Oakland Athletics: Matt Olson

Position: First base

Experience: 4 years, all with A's (2016-present)

Career stats: .245 BA, .831 OPS, 53 HR, 194 H, 7.0 WAR

Bottom line: Matt Olson’s slugging numbers came back down to earth a bit in 2018, after hitting 24 homers with only two doubles in the year prior.

He’s only 25 and is a top-level power threat with oodles of potential, and also earned a Gold Glove in 2018.

San Diego Padres: Manny Machado

Position: Shortstop/third base

Experience: 8 years (2012-present)

Other teams: Baltimore Orioles, Los Angeles Dodgers

Career stats: .282 BA, .822 OPS, 175 HR, 1,050 hits, 33.8 WAR

Bottom line: Much was made of Manny Machado’s antics in the 2018 season, with some questionably timed slides and a lack of effort running out fly balls.

Make no mistake, his talent is all-time level, and is on par with fellow 2019 free agent, Bryce Harper.

If Machado makes the full-time move to third and continues to add to his power number, he will be alongside some of the best infielders ever.

San Francisco Giants: Madison Bumgarner

Position: Starting pitcher

Experience: 11 years, all with Giants (2009-present)

Career stats: 1,591 Ks, 1,638.1 IP, 3.03 ERA, 34.2 WAR

Other Giants HOF candidates: Buster Posey

Bottom line: A postseason legend before his 30th birthday, Madison Bumgarner will most likely be remembered for a historic string of appearances to lead the Giants to the World Series.

He’s been nicked up a bit recently, but there are plenty of signs to suggest he will be back.

Seattle Mariners: Ichiro Suzuki

Position: Right field

Experience: 19 years (2001-present)

Other teams: New York Yankees, Miami Marlins

Career stats: .311 BA, .757 OPS, 117 HR, 3,089 H, 59.3 WAR

Bottom line: A player with incredible athleticism, flexibility and hand-eye coordination, Ichiro broke the mold for Japanese players transitioning to the United States.

His impact on the game is tremendous, and his hit total, including his stats from his nine-year Nippon Professional Baseball career, now exceeds 4,200.

St. Louis Cardinals: Yadier Molina

Position: Catcher

Experience: 16 years, all with Cardinals (2004-present)

Career stats: .282 BA, .740 OPS, 146 HR, 1,850 H, 38.9 WAR

Bottom line: Yadier Molina has more than some impressive numbers. He is the backbone and vocal leader of some terrific Cardinals teams.

Much like Dustin Pedroia for the Red Sox, Molina was the spark behind some of the biggest moments in franchise history.

Tampa Bay Rays: Blake Snell

Position: Starting pitcher

Experience: 4 years, all with Rays (2016-present)

Career stats: 438 Ks, 399 IP, 2.95 ERA, 9.3 WAR

Bottom line: Blake Snell, or "Snell-zilla," earned his prehistoric nickname by shredding through powerhouse lineups in the AL East in 2018, on his way to a Cy Young award.

A sub-2.0 ERA in the division is no joke. Snell has the ability to be a once-in-a-generation-level pitcher.

Texas Rangers: Nomar Mazara

Position: Right field

Experience: 4 years, all with Rangers (2016-present)

Career stats: .258 BA, .746 OPS, 60 HR, 403 H, 1.1 WAR

Bottom line: Three major league seasons, three 20-home run campaigns.

The 23-year-old would have set season highs in nearly everything in 2018, had he not gotten injured.

Despite only playing in 128 games, Mazara posted his second season of positive WAR.

Toronto Blue Jays: Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Position: Third base

Experience: TBD

Other teams: N/A

Career stats: N/A

Bottom line: In typical fashion, the Blue Jays are holding off on calling up the son of a Hall of Famer to maintain the extra year of club control. When you see Vladimir Guerrero Jr. play, it’s easy to see why they want to keep him as long as possible.

A sure thing at the next level, he breezed through the minor leagues, starting in High A in 2018 and ending up in Triple-A. Across all levels, he posted a .381 batting average with a 1.073 OPS and 20 home runs in 95 games.

Washington Nationals: Max Scherzer

Position: Starting pitcher

Experience: 12 years (2008-present)

Other teams: Detroit Tigers, Arizona Diamondbacks

Career stats: 2,449 Ks, 2,117.2 IP, 3.39 ERA, 61.5 WAR

Bottom line: Max Scherzer has been dominant since nearly the second he stepped onto a major league mound.

He has totaled 200-plus strikeouts in every season since 2012, hitting the rarely seen 300-strikeout mark in 2018.

He also has won three Cy Young awards.

Free Agent: Craig Kimbrel

Position: Closing pitcher

Experience: 9 years (2010-present)

Other teams: Boston Red Sox, San Diego Padres, Atlanta Braves

Career stats: 868 Ks, 532.2 IP, 1.91 ERA, 20.2 WAR, 333 SV

Bottom line: Craig Kimbrel is the Mariano Rivera of this generation.

Kimbrel's velocity, coupled with a brutal breaking ball, can make hitters look silly.

The trademark windup adds to the intimidation factor, and Kimbrel looks like he will hold that power over hitters well into his 30s.