While Hall of Fame debates often revolve around projections and potential, a handful of active players have already done enough to secure their place in Cooperstown. These players could retire today and still make the cut.
Mike Trout’s injuries over the past few years haven’t diminished his legacy as one of the game’s all-time greats. With three MVPs, a .299/.410/.581 career slash line, and a spot among the top five center fielders in JAWS, Trout’s case is ironclad. Similarly, Justin Verlander, with his three Cy Young Awards, MVP, 262 wins, and two World Series rings, stands as a surefire first-ballot Hall of Famer.
Pitching icons Clayton Kershaw and Max Scherzer also fit the bill. Kershaw, a three-time Cy Young winner and two-time champion, sits just shy of 3,000 strikeouts and boasts one of the greatest pitching peaks in history. Scherzer matches Kershaw’s Cy Young tally and adds a pair of rings, plus over 3,400 strikeouts and a reputation as one of the fiercest competitors of his era.
Mookie Betts rounds out this list of locks. Though some might argue he’s still building his resume, Betts’ peak performance and versatility on the field make his case nearly unassailable. With an MVP, three World Series titles, and elite WAR metrics, Betts is destined for Cooperstown.
