Each MLB team’s current Hall of Famer

Atlanta Braves: Freddie Freeman

After a few minor leaguers, many were likely expecting to see one of the members of the young revolution of players taking over the Braves major league roster. Instead, it’s the guy who’s been the steady consummate under-radar star for the team as it struggled for multiple seasons.

In fact, when looking at Freeman’s numbers over the last three years, at a 162 game pace, reduced to 150 games per season (Freeman suffered two very fluke injuries in 2015 and 2017 that cost him significant time, but he was still mighty productive), you see just how elite Freeman has been.

Dividing that 162 game pace over the last three years down to 150 games and adding the remaining four years of his contract to Freddie’s stats at the end of 2017, you end up with a player who will hit free agency with 12 years as a pro, 405 doubles, 280 home runs, and 1,740 hits, all at age 31.

To put that into context, only 11 players have ever had a pace of 400 doubles, 250 home runs, and 1,700 hits over their first 12 years in the major leagues. Three are still active and two have not hit the MLB Hall of Fame ballot yet, but on that list are inner-circle MLB Hall of Fame players like Lou Gehrig and Stan Musial.

What’s even more impressive is when you take those same standard numbers to age 31, only three players make the list. Two are sure-fire MLB Hall of Fame players that are active, Albert Pujols and Miguel Cabrera. The third is the guy who Freddie’s numbers match up closest to in pace right now, New York Yankees great Lou Gehrig.

Needless to say, more attention should be given to the case Freddie Freeman is currently building for Cooperstown.

Next: Brewers