Yadier Molina should make the Hall of Fame based on this stat alone

St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina might have gotten even better at throwing out would-be base-stealers, if you can believe it.

Any baserunner who tries to steal on Yadier Molina probably misses the friendly confines of the dugout. Molina should be a sure case to make the Hall of Fame, but every now and then those who likely don’t watch him on a regular basis like to debate his merits. So, let’s play the game.

Molina has thrown out 11of-22 runners this season. Reminder: he’s 38 years old. That percentage — half, for those of you, who like me, struggle with math — is tops in the majors.

Yadi has allowed just about 30 steals per season during his 18 years behind home plate for the Cardinals.

St. Louis Cardinals: Yadier Molina is the standard other catchers are held to

On the Bill James Hall of Fame monitor (on Molina’s Baseball Reference page), Molina scores 162 points. For reference, 130 is considered a “virtual cinch.” However, his all-time WAR isn’t considered elite among catchers just yet. So, what gives?

Molina’s accolades and presence behind the plate for one of baseball’s most storied franchises is hard to dismiss. He’s not Derek Jeter-Yankees level, but he’s not far off.

Odds are Molina makes the Hall based on name recognition alone. This doesn’t mean he doesn’t deserve it, by any means. If anything, his defensive prowess proves he’s among the more underrated catchers of all-time. While he’s respectable at the plate, that’s not how he’ll be remembered.

Yadi is a nine-time All-Star, nine-time Gold Glove winner, four-time platinum glove winner, two-time World Series winner and has won a silver slugger. He could be on his way to another Gold Glove this season.

It’s time to end the Cooperstown debate. Molina is in.