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The current crop of Major Leaguers contains some surefire Hall of Famers. Teams like the Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees, and Philadelphia Phillies have multiple future members of Cooperstown in their clubhouse. However, other teams — hello, Oakland — don’t have much star power at the moment. This article will look at all 30 teams and determine which player has the best shot at reaching the Hall of Fame.
Arizona Diamondbacks — Corbin Carroll
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The 2023 National League champions don’t have a surefire Hall of Famer on their roster. However, the ’23 NL Rookie of the Year is the best bet to one day reach the Hall. Carroll was sensational throughout his debut season. He showcased his immense talent at the plate, on the basepaths, and in the field. Despite being a smaller player, Carroll possesses plenty of pop. Additionally, the young D-Back is one of the fastest players in baseball. Following a slow start to his sophomore season, Carroll turned it on over the second half of the season and resembled the player that led Arizona to the NL Pennant in ’23.
Atlanta Braves — Ronald Acuna Jr.
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Atlanta has a roster stacked with All-Stars. However, Ronald Acuna Jr. is easily the best of the group. The 2018 National League Rookie of the Year reached new heights in 2023 en route to winning the National League MVP. Acuna Jr. led baseball in multiple categories — runs (149), hits (217), stolen bases (73), and OBP (.416). Taking advantage of the rule changes put in place before the season, the superstar fully showcased his ability on the basepaths — breaking his previous career-high by 36 steals. Capable of hitting for power and average, Acuna is a force at the plate. If he continues to play at this level — and avoids serious injuries — he will certainly reach the Hall of Fame. However, the star has now suffered two ACL injuries that have cost him over 150 games.
Baltimore Orioles — Adley Rutschman
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Taken No. 1 overall in the 2019 MLB Draft, Adley Rutschman is the player Baltimore will build around moving forward. One of the best players in the game, Rutschman projects to be an elite catcher for years to come. While playing at collegiate powerhouse Oregon State, Rutschman slugged 28 HR, batted in 174 runs, and slashed .352/.473/.559 over three seasons. A switch-hitter, the young catcher has an advanced approach at the plate — and he has certainly proved to be a stud at the MLB level. Defensively, Rutschman is elite. He calls a good game, is quick behind the dish, and has a cannon for an arm that limits the running game. A two-time All-Star, Rutschman is arguably the best catcher in the game.
Boston Red Sox — Kenley Jansen
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Boston’s future Hall of Famer built his legacy across the country. At his peak, Kenley Jansen was the game’s best closer and possessed baseball’s best cutter since Mariano Rivera. From 2010-17, Jansen posted a 2.08 ERA with 230 saves and a 0.872 WHIP. The star closer struck out 14.0 batters per nine innings and finished fifth for the NL Cy Young — and 15th for MVP — in ’17. An intimidating presence on the mound, Jansen has implemented more off-speed pitches in recent years as his velocity has dipped. By the time his career comes to an end, Jansen could become the third closer to reach 500 saves.
Chicago Cubs — Dansby Swanson
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Dansby Swanson has had quite the journey thus far in his career. A 38th-round pick in the 2012 MLB Draft, Swanson opted to play at Vanderbilt University and ultimately was the No. 1 overall pick in 2015. The Diamondbacks traded the top pick to Atlanta, and that is where Swanson developed into an All-Star. The star came into his own in 2020, helped lead the Braves to a World Series triumph in ’21, and signed a massive deal with the Chicago Cubs following a stellar ’22 season. Swanson is a great defender — back-to-back Gold Glove in ’22 and ’23 — and is one of the top-hitting shortstops in the game. His game should carry over into the latter stages of his career and we can envision him making a push for the Hall.
Chicago White Sox — Luis Robert Jr.
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Moving forward, Robert Jr. has a great opportunity to cement himself as the team’s premier star. He can hit bombs, run the bases with ease, play good defense, and can make most throws. In 2023, Chicago’s top player finally put it all together. The star was hampered by injuries in both ’21 and ’22 and only played a total of 166 games over the two seasons. Robert Jr. was great in ’21 before his season came to an end. In ’23, his power stroke was fully realized — Robert Jr. hit 38 homers. 36 doubles and posted a .542 SLG. If he remains healthy, Robert Jr. should be able to compete for MVP honors in the future.
Cincinnati Reds — Elly De La Cruz
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Cincinnati appears to be a team on the rise and it has a handful of promising young players in its organization. With that being said, De La Cruz appears to have the highest ceiling of them all. The Dominican star debuted at the age of 21 and immediately showcased his immense skill. At 6-foot-5, De La Cruz possesses a ton of pop — and also has elite speed. He struggled a bit down the stretch when opposing teams learned how to attack him at the plate, but he still finished with 13 HR, 35 stolen bases, and seven triples in 98 games. He has improved in Year 2 across the board — seeing an uptick in power, average, OPS, and stolen bases.
Cleveland Guardians — Jose Ramirez
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Ramirez has solidified his place among the top-position players in the sport. The 5-foot-9 infielder generates immense power in his compact frame (having already slugged over 250 home runs in his short career). There have been slumps in the past, but Ramirez’s hot streaks are unlike any other player. JoRam has four top-four finishes for the AL MVP — including a runner-up finish in 2020. Ramirez is a great all-around player and continues to excel in nearly every facet of the game. When it’s all said and done, we wouldn’t be surprised to see the Guardian make the Hall.
Colorado Rockies — Kris Bryant
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Two years into his career, Kris Bryant seemed to be on the fast track to the Hall of Fame. The No. 2 overall pick in the 2013 MLB Draft, Bryant debuted with the Chicago Cubs in 2015 and promptly won the National League Rookie of the Year en route to leading the Cubs to the NLCS. The following year, Bryant won the NL MVP and the Cubs won the World Series — ending Chicago’s 108-year drought. Since that time, Bryant has gone to just two more All-Star Games and has one top-7 MVP finish. Injuries have severely hampered his career, as he hasn’t played more than 80 games in the past three seasons. Still, he represents Colorado’s best bet to reach the Hall one day at this moment.
Detroit Tigers — Riley Greene
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The Detroit Tigers have a few promising players including ace Tarik Skubal, but Riley Greene is our pick for this exercise. Greene was the No. 5 overall pick out of high school in 2019 and quickly made his way to the Majors. The budding star debuted in 2022 at 21 and is now a mainstay with the Tigers. Through September 17, 2024, Greene has topped his season-high with 23 HR and is on pace to set career bests in SLG, OBP, and OPS. Greene has the look of a future superstar.
Houston Astros — Justin Verlander
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Houston has a few future Hall of Famers on its roster, but Justin Verlander is the surest bet. As a rookie for the Tigers in 2006, Verlander went 17-9, won the Rookie of the Year, and finished seventh for the Cy Young. With a looping curveball and smoking fastball, Verlander blitzed the American League in 2011 en route to winning both the Cy Young and MVP. During his Triple Crown year, Verlander won 24 games, posted a 2.40 ERA, and struck out 250 batters. More than a decade later, the righty has three Cy’s to his name and three second-place finishes.
Kansas City Royals — Salvador Perez
Barring a surprise, Salvador Perez is likely to be with the Royals for the rest of his career. A key cog of Kansas City’s World Series-winning team in 2015, Perez has built a reputation as being one of the best all-around catchers in the game. Perez is a nine-time All-Star who is capable of changing a game with his bat and glove. He is a five-time Gold Glove winner behind the plate and has taken home four Silver Sluggers. Perez also took home WS MVP honors in ’15 thanks to his efforts behind home and his .364 BA.
Los Angeles Angels — Mike Trout
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The Angels have featured a few future first-ballot Hall of Famers in recent seasons — Mike Trout, Albert Pujols, and Shohei Ohtani. In 2024, Trout is the only one that remains on the team. Once the undisputed best player in the game, Trout is well on his way to becoming a top-15 player in MLB history. Aside from his gaudy numbers, Trout — who is in his early 30s — has won three MVPs and has finished as the runner-up four times. He can hit, run, and field his position. Injuries have hurt Trout the past few seasons, but he remains an elite player.
Los Angeles Dodgers — Clayton Kershaw
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From the greatest position player of his generation to the best pitcher — Clayton Kershaw. The current Dodgers roster has a few future Hall of Famers (Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, Shohei Ohtani), but Kershaw is the clear standout. The sensational lefty has the lowest career ERA of any pitcher since the live ball era began in 1920. He has won three NL Cy Young Awards, claimed the Triple Crown in 2011, and the MVP in ’14. Kershaw’s arsenal at his peak — mid-90s fastball, the game’s best curveball, and arguably the top slider — was unmatched by his peers. Even as he ages, he remains above average when healthy.
Miami Marlins — Xavier Edwards
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Like the Rockies, it is hard to envision anyone on Miami’s current roster reaching the Hall of Fame. So, let’s go with Xavier Edwards. Having recently turned 25, Edwards has played well in his young career. In 89 career games, Edwards is hitting .316 with 32 stolen bases. His OPS is up 130 points in 2024 (.793) and he has played well at shortstop.
Milwaukee Brewers — Christian Yelich
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If Christian Yelich hadn’t hit a foul ball off his knee late in the 2019 season, there is a good chance Milwaukee’s superstar would have won his second National League MVP in a row. In addition to being a good fielder (Gold Glove in 2014), Yelich is a beast in the box and on the base paths. Before scuffling in the 60-game season, Yelich had lit the world on fire for the Brew Crew. Through his first two seasons with the team, Yelich slashed .327/.415/.631 with 80 HR, 207 RBI, and 50 SB. The veteran is a smart hitter and runner. Yelich hasn’t maintained his power surge from 2018-19, but he is easily Milwaukee’s best bet to earn Hall of Fame honors.
Minnesota Twins — Carlos Correa
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Carlos Correa is a three-time All-Star, a Platinum Glove recipient, a former Rookie of the Year, a World Series winner, and one of the most controversial players of his generation. Correa’s exploits with Houston in the postseason cannot be ignored. In 79 games with Houston, Correa slugged 18 home runs and hit .272. Of course, his lone World Series with the club came in 2017 — a year in which the Astros were proven to have cheated. Correa’s overall numbers aren’t outstanding, but he represents Minnesota’s best bet.
New York Mets — Francisco Lindor
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Despite last making the All-Star Game in 2019, Francisco Lindor remains highly regarded across MLB. Lindor began his career in Cleveland and quickly became one of the game’s top shortstops. Lindor flashed great ability both at the plate and in the field. In addition to winning two Gold Gloves, Lindor earned two Silver Slugger Awards and made four straight ASGs. While he hasn’t quite kept up his batting average since joining the Mets — .285 BA with Cleveland, .258 in four seasons with New York — Lindor remains a top talent. He certainly has a solid shot at reaching the Hall if he continues at his current pace. The shortstop is under contract through 2031.
New York Yankees — Gerrit Cole
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While it’s fair to question Cole’s performances in big games since joining the Yankees, there’s no doubt he’s New York’s most explosive arm and one of the best pitchers in the game. Cole has been revered as an elite talent dating all the way back to his time in Pittsburgh. However, it was a move to Houston that truly unlocked his potential. A two-year run with the Astros led to the inking of a massive $324 million deal with the Yankees. Since joining the Bronx Bombers, Cole has four top-10 Cy Young finishes — including winning the 2023 Cy — and has collected over 900 punch-outs. Cole’s numbers will be sensational when he hangs up his cleats.
Oakland Athletics — Mason Miller
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Oakland is far removed from its glory days. The franchise is moving to Las Vegas shortly, and it could certainly use an influx of talent before it departs for Sin City. At the moment, there is not a player on the roster who looks like a potential Hall of Famer. So, we will go with Mason Miller. Why? The man throws absolute gas and makes hitters look foolish every time he takes the mound.
Philadelphia Phillies — Bryce Harper
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Touted as a future Hall of Famer while he was still in high school, Bryce Harper hasn’t disappointed many since arriving in the Big Leagues. While he hasn’t quite lived up to the billing as being the best player in the world that many expected him to be, Harper won an MVP at 22 and added a second MVP to his résumé in 2021. During his MVP season in 2015, Harper hit .330 and led the league in runs (118), HR (42), OBP (.460), SLG (.649), and OPS (1.109). In ’21, Harper led baseball with 42 doubles, a .615 SLG and 1.044 OPS. Signed with Philadelphia through 2031, Harper will surely put together a Hall of Fame career.
Pittsburgh Pirates — Paul Skenes
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The No. 1 pick of the 2023 MLB Draft is seen as a can’t-miss prospect. Towering on the mound at 6-foot-6, Skenes possesses a fastball that tops out at 102 MPH. Viewed as the best pitching prospect since Stephen Strasburg, Skenes dominated during his final collegiate season. At LSU, Skenes went 12-2 with a 1.69 ERA and 209 strikeouts in 122.2 IP. Through his first 21 starts with the Pirates, Skenes holds a 10-3 record with 158 strikeouts and a 2.07 ERA.
San Diego Padres — Manny Machado
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San Diego has a few players with Hall of Fame potential including Fernando Tatis Jr., but we’re going with Manny Machado. A recipient of an 11-year/$350 million extension, Machado has long been one of the best players in baseball. He is a vacuum at third and possesses a cannon of an arm which allows him to make plays others are simply incapable of making. The runner-up for the National League MVP in 2022, Machado enjoyed his best year at the plate throughout a full season — he was spectacular in 2020, but the season was 60 games. Machado is San Diego’s all-time leader in home runs and will only build upon his record.
San Francisco Giants — Logan Webb
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The Giants were left without a surefire Hall of Famer when Buster Posey retired following the 2021 season. When looking at their current roster, Logan Webb has the best chance of reaching Cooperstown. The durable righty has been one of the game’s best pitchers since 2021. Webb has a 3.19 ERA in 122 starts since the beginning of ’21, and he led MLB with 216.0 IP in ’23. Additionally, Webb paced the league with 1.3 BB9 and 6.26 SO/W. The ace was rewarded with a runner-up finish for the National League Cy Young. Webb is getting better each year and projects to be a Cy Young contender for many years to come.
Seattle Mariners — Julio Rodriguez
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One of the biggest stories in baseball in 2022 was Julio Rodriguez’s rapid ascent into superstardom. Entering ’22, Rodriguez had not taken even a single at-bat at the Major League level. Through his first 20 games, J-Rod was hitting .204 and was still yet to homer. Game 21 marked Rodriguez’s first career homer and he never looked back from that point forward. Over the remainder of the season, Rodriguez provided plenty of highlights (both at the plate and in the field) and registered a .905 OPS. Since 2000, only six rookies have had an OPS above .905. Five of those players went on to win MVP (Trout, Bellinger, Judge, Pujols, and Abreu) and the last is a three-time All-Star with two Home Run Derby wins (Alonso). J-Rod finishing his career in Cooperstown would be a surprise to nobody.
St. Louis Cardinals — Nolan Arenado
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Arenado is an all-time great defensively — with a Gold Glove in 10-of-11 seasons and six Platinum Gloves to boot. A stud in the box, as well, Arenado has five Silver Sluggers and could easily finish his career with 500 homers. From 2016-19, Arenado finished no lower than sixth for the National League MVP. Over that time, the star slashed .300/.362/.575 and averaged 40 HR and 124 RBI per season. In ’22, the star finished third for the NL MVP. The California native has shined with the Rockies and Cardinals, respectively. The Hall will call Arenado’s name.
Tampa Bay Rays — Shane McClanahan
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The Rays have a penchant for developing pitching, and McClanahan is the most recent example of that. The lefty hurler was a first-round pick in 2018, making his Major League debut two years later. McClanahan finished seventh in Rookie of the Year voting in 2021 and was even better in Year 2. As a sophomore, McClanahan posted a 2.54 ERA over 166.1 IP while earning an All-Star spot and a sixth-place finish in the Cy Young race. The lefty was an All-Star again in ’23, but his season was cut short due to Tommy John surgery. If he remains healthy, McClanahan projects to be one of the best pitchers in the game for the foreseeable future.
Texas Rangers — Max Scherzer
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Our apologies to two-time World Series MVP Corey Seager, but Max Scherzer has earned this recognition. After a decent but not great start to his career, Mad Max became a superstar in his sixth season. Starting with the 2013 campaign, Scherzer has won three Cy Young Awards — one with Detroit, two with Washington — and has eight top-5 finishes. With three Cy Youngs, two World Series, and over 3,000 strikeouts, Scherzer is a future first-ballot Hall of Famer.
Toronto Blue Jays — Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
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While Bo Bichette has endured a miserable 2024 season, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is back to looking like an MVP and potential Hall of Fame player. Guerrero was considered one of the game’s best players in 2021 when he launched 48 HR and led the American League in runs, homers, OBP, SLG, and OPS en route to a second-place MVP finish. He failed to match that production in ’22 or ’23, but he is thriving in ’24. Junior is on pace to post his highest BA and has an OPS above .930. If he keeps this up, he could reach the Hall.
Washington Nationals — CJ Abrams
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One of the centerpieces in the trade that sent Juan Soto to San Diego in 2022, CJ Abrams is a superstar in the making. A former top-10 pick of the Padres, Abrams is an elite athlete with plus-speed and good instincts in the box. In his first full season with the Nationals, Abrams stole 47 bases and slugged 18 home runs. As he continues to mature and adjust to Major League pitching, Abrams will ascend into the upper echelon of players in the league.
