Yardbarker's Ultimate MLB Hall of Fame tiers

Mind-blowing stat: Cabrera is one of four players in history with at least four batting titles and a Triple Crown win.

A two-time American League MVP, Cabrera’s crowning feat came in 2012 when he became the first hitter in 45 years to complete the Triple Crown, hitting .330 with 44 home runs and 139 RBI. Cabrera’s 12 consecutive seasons of 100 runs batting in are tied for the third-longest streak in history. His .316 career average leads all active players, while he also places in the active top three in runs scored, hits, doubles, home runs, RBI, on-base percentage and OPS.

Mind-blowing stat: He's the first pitcher in history to lead MLB in ERA for four consecutive years.

Kershaw has won at least 75 percent of his starts in four separate seasons, with his .693 winning percentage standing as the second-best in MLB history. Kershaw’s 6.8 hits against per nine innings average is the third-lowest in MLB history, behind Nolan Ryan and Sandy Koufax. In 2015, Kershaw became one of four pitchers in the last 50 years to post a season of 300 strikeouts with an ERA of 2.20 or lower and 230 innings pitched.

Mind-blowing stat: He's one of two players in history (along with Hank Aaron) with a .300 career batting average, 600 home runs, 600 doubles and 3,000 hits.

The preeminent hitter of his generation, Pujols is within the top 10 all-time in home runs (6th), RBI (5th), total bases (8th) and extra base hits (6th). His 14 seasons of 100 runs batted in are tied for the most in history. Pujols’ nine seasons of a .300 batting average with 30 home runs, 100 RBI and 100 runs scored are the third-most in history, behind only Babe Ruth (11) and Lou Gehrig (10).

Mind-blowing stat: He has more seasons of 250 or more strikeouts with a WHIP below 1.00 than any pitcher in history (four).

Scherzer is the preeminent strikeout pitcher of his era, reaching 2,500 strikeouts in the third-fewest games in history and is tied for the MLB record for most consecutive 250 strikeout seasons, with five. He owns the second-most consecutive seasons (nine) of averaging 10 or more strikeouts per nine innings, with again only Johnson having more. Mad Max is one of four pitchers in history with at least three Cy Young Awards, claiming one in both the American (2013) and National Leagues (2016, 2017).

Mind-blowing stat: He owns the highest WAR (701) through age 27 of any player in history.

Although Trout is just still two years shy of officially meeting of the 10-year minimum for Hall of Fame induction, his future in Cooperstown is already a foregone conclusion. Trout has never finished lower than second in MVP voting in a non-injury interrupted season — and still came in fourth after missing a month with a broken finger in 2017. Trout has led the American League in at least three statistical categories in every season of his career.

Mind-blowing stat: He's the only pitcher in history to win Rookie of the Year (2006), MVP (2011), Cy Young Award (2011) and a postseason MVP Award (2017 ALCS MVP).

Verlander has the second-most career strikeouts of any active pitcher and third-lowest average against (.228) of any pitcher with 2,000 or more innings pitched. He has finished in the top five in AL Cy Young voting in six seasons, becoming one of 10 pitchers in history to win both MVP and Cy Young honors in the same season, in 2011. Verlander is also one of four pitchers in history to have multiple wins in postseason elimination games.

Mind-blowing stat: Cano has the second-most extra base hits of any second baseman whose career has begun in the last 55 years.

Cano has put together one of the greatest hitting careers by a second baseman in history, placing in the top 10 all time at the position in hits, doubles, home runs, slugging percentage and runs scored. Cano is tied with Hall of Famers Rogers Hornsby and Charlie Gehringer for the most seasons with 40 doubles by a second baseman of all time. With eight All-Star selections and a World Series title to his credit, Cano would likely be a lock for Cooperstown, if not for the cloud of an 80 game PED suspension in 2018.

Mind-blowing stat: His 1.66 ERA in 2015 was the seventh-lowest of any pitcher who worked 200 innings since 1900.

Greinke owns two of the most dominant campaigns of the past 20 years, twice producing the lowest ERA and WHIP in the majors (2009 and 2015) once in each league. He also posted two of the top five WAR seasons by a pitcher in the last 30 years during those seasons, at 10.4 in ’09, followed by 9.1 in ’15. He has also been one of the most consistent starters in the game, posting 12 consecutive double-digit win totals, as he closes in on 200 career wins.

Mind-blowing stat: He holds the MLB record for most strikeouts per nine innings by a pitcher in history (14.9).

The "Cuban Missile" has posted some of the most overwhelming power pitching numbers in history, including an MLB-record of 49 consecutive appearances with a strikeout. Chapman reached 500 strikeouts quicker than any pitcher in history, needing only 292 innings to do so, 13 fewer than any other pitcher. However, will Chapman reach the lofty save numbers required for induction? No reliever who has retired in the last 30 years with less than 390 saves has been elected. Chapman has 260.

Mind-blowing stat: He is second all time among catchers in defensive runs saved and the active leader in assists, runners caught stealing and pickoffs.

Molina is on the short list of the greatest catchers of all time, with two World Series wins, nine Gold Glove Awards and nine All-Star Game selections. Once he reaches hit No. 2,000 (he's less than 100 shy), he'll join Gary Carter and Ivan Rodriguez as the only catchers in history with 2,000 hits and a defensive WAR of 20 or better while playing in over 1,000 games. Molina has led the NL in runners caught stealing four times, has thrown out 41 percent of steal attempts in his career and is the all-time leader in games caught with one team (1,905). The only reservations that could arise regarding Molina would be a defense-heavy resume in an era where offensive numbers from all positions are expected among HOFers.

Mind-blowing stat: He's the only catcher in history with an MVP Award, batting title and three World Series titles.

Posey has the 12^th-best WAR through age 32 despite missing the better part of a year-and-a-half to injury. A six-time All-Star with four Silver Slugger Awards and a Gold Glove to his credit, Posey’s .336 average during his MVP season of 2012 is the fifth-highest by a catcher in the last 50 years. His three World Series titles are the third-most by a catcher in MLB history. Posey will just need to stay healthy long enough to keep his post-prime numbers close to consistent level to hit a few important milestones, as no Hall of Fame catcher within the past 36 years has had fewer than 300 home runs and 2,000 hits.

Mind-blowing stat: Sabathia is the winningest pitcher of the past 20 years (251-157 record).

Sabathia has been one of the most consistent pitchers of the past 30 years, ranking first in wins since 2000 and owning the second-most victories by a pitcher whose career began since 1990. He is the 13^th pitcher in history to reach 3,000 strikeouts and third left-hander to do so. One of the premier workhorses of his era, Sabathia has gone against the trend of starters throwing fewer innings, working over 200 innings in eight separate seasons and more than 230 in five straight seasons. Career ERA is not scintillating (3.71). His stats are comparable to Andy Pettitte, who is not in Hall of Fame.

Mind-blowing stat: Votto is tied with Ty Cobb with the fifth-most seasons in history of leading his league in on-base percentage.

Votto has reached base more frequently than any other player of his generation, owning the 14^th best on-base percentage in MLB history. Only Ted Williams, Barry Bonds, Babe Ruth and Rogers Hornsby led their leagues in on-base percentage more times than Votto’s seven times. Although his raw power numbers aren’t as impressive as those of many first basemen throughout his history, his .947 OPS ranks inside the top 20 of all time, while his five seasons of a .300 average, .400 on-base percentage, 100 walks and 30 doubles are the fifth-most in history. Votto's low-in-comparison power numbers (no Hall of Fame first baseman after 1950 has less than 350 career homers) could be a red flag for his run production impact.

Mind-blowing stat: He's the first player in history to lead his league in hits outright in four straight seasons (2014-2017).

A three-time batting champion before his 30^th birthday, Altuve’s career has gotten off to lightning-fast start, similar to his style of play. In 2014, he became the first player in 80 years to reach 130 hits and 40 stolen bases before the All-Star break. Still shy of his 30^th birthday, Altuve has the fourth-most seasons of at least a .300 average, 30 stolen bases and 200 hits in MLB history, and at his current pace he is on the fast track to 3,000 hits.

Mind-blowing stat: He's the only infielder in history to win the Gold Glove Award in each of his first six seasons.

A stunningly complete two-way player, Arenado has established himself as one of the greatest all-around third basemen in history by his age 28 season. He is one of 11 players in history to drive in 130 runs in three consecutive years. His four seasons of at least 35 home runs, 35 doubles and 110 RBI are the most such campaigns in MLB history by a third baseman.

Mind-blowing stat: Betts is the only player in history to win a batting title, World Series, Gold Glove and MVP in the same season (2018).

Betts owns two of the 10 highest WAR seasons of the past decade, with his 2018 10.9 WAR being the best showing since Barry Bonds in 2002. He is the only player in the last 20 years to post three consecutive years of 20 home runs, 40 doubles, 25 stolen bases and 100 runs scored, all while winning a Gold Glove Award in each season. Betts is also the only player in history with four three-homer games before turning 26.

Mind-blowing stat: He's one of two players to ever to hit three home runs in a single game, with all coming over the final three innings.

Bryant has thrived at every stage of his career, becoming the first player to win the Golden Spikes Award (top collegiate player), Minor League Player of the Year, MLB Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player Award in successive seasons. Bryant is one of two players in history to record two games of five hits and five RBI in the same season, which he accomplished in 2016. He is one of six players ever to win Rookie of the Year and MVP across his first two seasons, joining Ichiro Suzuki, Fred Lynn, Cal Ripken Jr., Ryan Howard and Dustin Pedroia.

Mind blowing stat: Bumgarner is one of two pitchers in history with two wins and a save in the same World Series.

Despite still being shy of his 30^th birthday, Bumgarner owns one of the most impressive postseason resumes in history. His 0.29 ERA, 52.2 innings pitched and 32.2 consecutive scoreless innings are all MLB all-time postseason records, while his 0.25 career World Series ERA is also a record. Far from just an October success, the workhorse lefty has worked over 200 innings in six of his 10 full seasons and owns the second-lowest ERA (3.10) of any pitcher with 200 decisions in the last 20 years.

Mind blowing stat: He leads all first basemen in runs scored, home runs, RBI, slugging percentage and stolen bases since his MLB debut.

Goldschmidt didn’t take his first MLB at-bat until he was 25 years old, but he has set out on making up for that relatively late start since then. His 41.3 WAR is tied for second-highest in baseball since his debut, and he has twice finished as runner-up for the NL MVP Award in the process. A gifted athlete for his position, Goldschmidt is one of three first basemen in the last 50 years with a season of hitting .290 and 30 home runs while scoring 100 runs and stealing 20 bases.

Mind-blowing stat: He is the youngest player with 40 home runs and 120 walks in a season, surpassing Babe Ruth.

Harper has rewritten the book on early career success in many areas since debuting as a 19-year-old and becoming the youngest positional player to ever appear in an All-Star Game and winning NL Rookie of the Year in the process. In 2015, he became the youngest unanimous MVP in MLB history. His six seasons of 20 or more home runs before the age of 26 are tied for the most in MLB history.

Mind-blowing stat: He owns the second-highest save percentage in MLB history for pitchers with at least 200 appearances (90.5%).

Kimbrel has been the most efficient closer in MLB history, leading the National League in saves four times while converting 90.6 percent of his save opportunities during the stretch. In six of his eight full seasons, Kimbrel has finished in his league’s top four in saves, with four seasons of 40 or greater. Kimbrel’s career average of 14.7 strikeouts per nine innings is the second-best in MLB history by a reliever, and in 2012 he became the first player to strike out at least half of the batters he faced.

Mind-blowing stat: Lindor has the third-best WAR (26.5) through his first five seasons of any shortstop since 1900.

Lindor has been the game’s top shortstop since his arrival in mid-2015, gaining an All-Star election every season in which he has been eligible. He has the fifth-most total bases of any shortstop since 1901 over his first five seasons, having finished second (329) and fourth (343) overall in the AL the past two seasons. Also a brilliant defender, he has remained in the American League’s top five in assists over the past three seasons and picked up a Gold Glove Award in 2016.

Mind-blowing stat: Machado is one of three third basemen in history to have at least 100 home runs and over 10 defensive win shares in the first eight years of his career.

An exceptional talent at both third base and shortstop, Machado as been an All-Star at both positions. Whether it be with the bat or the glove, Machado has an undeniable flare for the big moment. He is a .317 career hitter with runners in scoring position and has nine career grand slams, becoming the second player in history to hit three grand slams in consecutive seasons.

Mind-blowing stat: Sale is the all-time leader in strikeouts per nine innings (11.0) and strikeout-to-walk (5.35) ratio among starting pitchers.

Already a dominant strikeout pitcher as a reliever early in his career, Sale’s penchant for missing bats continued once he moved to the rotation in 2012. He has finished in the American League’s top five in strikeouts six out of the last eight seasons, becoming the fastest player in history to 1,500 K’s in the process. Sales’s 74 double-digit strikeout games are the ninth-most in history and fourth-most by a left-hander, behind Randy Johnson, Sandy Koufax and Steve Carlton.

Mind-blowing stat: Stanton has averaged a home run every 13.8 at-bats in his career, the fifth-best rate in MLB history.

Only Mark McGwire, Babe Ruth, Barry Bonds and Jim Thome were more prolific, more often, than Stanton, who has gone deep once every 13.8 at-bats in his career. A string of injuries has drastically impacted his overall total, as he has played in as many as 140 games only four times in his career. At his best, Stanton is one of the most consistent power threats in history, with his 10.1 at-bats per home run rate in his 59-homer season of 2017 checking in as the 25^th best of all time.

Mind-blowing stat: As of his 31st home run of 2019, Yelich has hit 55 home runs over the past calendar year.

Already a strong all-around outfielder during his time in Miami, with a Gold Glove and Silver Slugger Award to his credit, Yelich went to an entirely new stratosphere upon being traded to the Milwaukee Brewers a year ago. In 2018, Yelich fell two home runs and one RBI shy of accomplishing the first Triple Crown in the National League in 81 years. Yelich has hit 67 home runs in his last 229 games, giving him eight more home runs in 225 games as a Brewer than he had in five years — 643 games — as a Marlin.

Mind-blowing stat: Braun’s post-2013 OPS is 115 points lower than during the first six years of his career.

Braun drove in the fourth-most runs of any player over his first six seasons in the past 50 years (643), with only Albert Pujols, Mark Teixeira and Miguel Cabrera with more. He won NL MVP honors in 2011, hit .300 with 30 home runs in five seasons and made five consecutive All-Star appearances prior to his 2013 PED suspension. Since then Braun’s career batting splits are .278/.341/.487, and he has only driven in 90 runs once. The combined impact of the suspension, followed by a severe fall from grace on field, will block Braun from Cooperstown.

Mind-blowing stat: Cruz has hit more home runs than any player in baseball since 2014 (219).

Only once has he hit less than 35 home runs in a full season since 2012, with the exception being his suspension season. However, Cruz still has fewer home runs than many of his contemporaries who have reached the Hall of Fame after spending significant time as a designated hitter, with his 376 career homers placing only 13^th among players with at least 500 games as a DH.

Mind-blowing stat: Freeman owns the third-highest WAR (35.9) and second-most runs produced (1,294) among first basemen since 2010.

Freeman has enjoyed a steadily productive career, owning a .294/.379/.504 career split line, with over 200 home runs. However, solid consistency rarely equals Hall of Fame induction for players at the offensively elite position of first base, with the 29-year-old Freeman’s career WAR of 35.9 placing him 112^th among first basemen with 1,000 games played.

Mind-blowing stat: Hamels is one of 10 left-handed pitchers in history to reach 2,500 strikeouts.

Hamels enjoyed a quick rise to prominence, winning NLCS and World Series MVP in 2008. Much of Hamels’ later career has seen him pitch in tough luck situations in Philadelphia and Texas, with him claiming over half of his career victories before turning 28. Since 2013, he has had records of .500 or worse in three different seasons, with a lack of run support often the cause of fewer wins (a high of 15 in 2016) and not what his effort would indicate (3.38 career ERA, 19^th best all time among left-handers).

Mind-blowing stat: His 113-pitch perfect game is the second-most efficient effort during such a game in history that featured 12 or more strikeouts.

After a dominant start to his career, Hernandez may have pitched his way out of Cooperstown consideration in recent years. The longtime Mariner ace looked to be a lock for induction, with his 1,951 strikeouts being the fifth-most of any pitcher in his first 10 seasons over the last 50 years. However, the wear and tear of time has not been kind to King Felix since turning 30, with his ERA ballooning to 4.79 over the past four years, reaching a peak of 6.52 in 2019.

Mind-blowing stat: His 89.8 save percentage is the fourth-best in history and higher than any current Hall of Famer.

Jansen’s 291 saves and 871 strikeouts are the second-most by a reliever since 2010. The true test for Jansen will be durability, as he has pitched more innings than other closer in the game since 2010, and the task has begun to dip slightly into his efficiency the past two seasons. In a culture where the margin of greatness is razor-thin for relievers (his ERA is only slightly lower than Billy Wagner, who has 131 more saves), Jansen has to resume performing at an elite level to qualify for Cooperstown consideration.

Mind-blowing stat: Kluber is the lowest drafted (134^th overall) AL Cy Young Award winner of the last 30 years.

While his peak competitive window has been open, Kluber has excelled, taking home two AL Cy Young Awards, along with placing within the decade’s top 10 in ERA (3.16) and winning percentage (.628). However, it could it be too much too late? With Kluber in his age 33 season, he is still shy of 100 career victories. The starting pitcher with the fewest career wins to be elected all-time is Addie Joss, who won 160 games before his career ended at age 30.

Mind-blowing stat: Lester is one of three pitchers ever to win a World Series-clinching game in his first postseason start.

There are very few holes in the resume of Lester, who is one of the most impactful postseason pitchers of his generation. While his resume is a well-rounded –with nearly 200 regular season wins, nine more in the postseason and a no hitter – the lack of individual highs (no 20-win seasons, one top three finish in Cy Young Award voting) could work against him in regards to a Cooperstown nod. He could face a very similar journey as the one that Jack Morris recently traveled, but one with a third less time (10 years, compared to 15) to be considered upon the ballot.

Mind-blowing stat: Longoria owns the rookie record for most home runs hit in a postseason series (four).

Longoria’s career got off to an incredibly hot start, with him being elected as an All-Star in each of his first three seasons. But despite owning over 12 franchise records with the Tampa Bay Rays, Longoria leveled off during his mid-20s, never producing a WAR north of 3.9 after turning 28. The coast through his prime, along with a severe downturn since being traded to the Giants in 2018, have cost him any chance at real Hall of Fame consideration.

Mind-blowing stat: He is one of six players in the last 20 years with multiple seasons of scoring 90 runs, stealing 20 bases, totaling 290 bases or more along with a .400 on-base percentage.

At his peak, McCutchen was one of the most dynamic players in the game. However, his prime did not last long enough to have historical ramifications, with his career WAR of 43.7 placing 45^th all-time among players with at least 500 games in center field.

Mind-blowing stat: Pedroia has missed 35% of possible Red Sox games in his 14-year career.

Pedroia is one of four American League second basemen to ever win MVP. He is also the only second baseman in history to win Rookie of the Year, MVP, the Gold Glove Award and a World Series. Ultimately, Pedroia’s peak was interrupted by injuries far too often (he missed over 50 games in five seasons) and cost him invaluable years needed to reach Hall of Fame-level cumulative numbers.

Mind-blowing stat: Rizzo has driven in the most runs of any first baseman in baseball over the past five years.

Rizzo has remained one of the most productive run producers in the game, as he is one of nine players with three consecutive seasons of 20 home runs, 100 RBI and 90 runs scored in the last decade. In recent years though, Rizzo has plateaued some, staying at a near All-Star level, but not breaking through since 2016. The position player who made the Hall of Fame with the fewest All-Star appearance is Robin Yount, who was only named three times. However, he was also a two-time MVP and a member of the 3,000 hit club, two fraternities that it appears Rizzo will not be joining.

Mind-blowing stat: Simmons has the third-highest dWAR of any shortstop who’s career began since 1980.

Since debuting with the Atlanta Braves, Simmons has been the premiere defensive presence in the game. Since 2010, Simmons’ 26.2 defensive WAR is 10.4 wins better the next closest player’s total, despite the Simmons’ not debuting until June 2012. But with the increased offensive productivity of shortstops in today’s game, Simmons may be behind the curve, as his .699 career OPS is 15^th among active shortstops with 400 games played.

Mind-blowing stat: Wainwright is one of two pitchers ever to get the most first place Cy Young Award votes, but not win the award.

Wainwright was one of the most consistent pitchers of the past decade, with his 144 wins from 2007 to 2017 tying him with Clayton Kershaw and Felix Hernandez for the most with one team. When healthy, Wainwright was a workhorse starter for the Cardinals, twice leading the National League in innings pitched and working 22 career complete games. However, injuries impacted his availability at two crucial portions of his prime, with Tommy John surgery costing him all of 2011, while a torn Achilles tendon limiting him to four starts in 2015.