This year’s Hall of Fame weekend in Cooperstown features the formal induction of Ichiro Suzuki, CC Sabathia, Billy Wagner, Dave Parker, and Dick Allen during a ceremony on Sunday. The diversity of this class stands out, including a well-known outfielder expected to be a first-ballot Hall of Famer, a durable starting pitcher with fluctuating Hall prospects, a closer who took 10 ballot tries to gain entry, and two outfielders who entered posthumously after decades of waiting. These inductions highlight the wide range of careers and paths that can lead to Cooperstown.

As fans celebrate these honorees, many wonder about the Hall of Fame trajectories of today’s Major League Baseball stars, especially those still active or recently retired.

Current Players Who Are Hall of Famers Already

This group includes players with résumés strong enough to enter the Hall of Fame immediately if they retired today, meeting the requirement of at least 10 years of service. Mike Trout, despite injuries since 2020, has a record that includes three MVP awards, an impressive career slash line of .296/.408/.575 with a 171 OPS+, and ranks fifth in JAWS among center fielders. He is close to milestones such as 400 home runs and 1,000 RBIs.

Justin Verlander, although unlikely to reach 300 career wins, boasts 263 victories, three Cy Young awards, an MVP, two World Series titles, and over 3,400 strikeouts, and is projected to receive over 90% of Hall votes. Clayton Kershaw shares a similar standing, with three Cy Youngs, an MVP, two rings, five ERA titles, and more than 3,000 strikeouts recently reached.

Max Scherzer also fits this elite profile with three Cy Young victories, two championships, over 3,400 strikeouts, and four league-leading win seasons. Mookie Betts is a notable mention, possibly less certain to be a lock but very close given he holds an MVP, three World Series wins, has finished second in MVP voting three times, led the majors in WAR thrice, and adapts expertly from right field to middle infield positions. Betts ranks eighth in JAWS among right fielders, edging past Reggie Jackson with Al Kaline still within reach.

Players on the Verge of Hall of Fame Entry

This category covers players whose achievements either meet or almost meet Hall standards, though some could still fall short without continued success. Every player listed here is strongly expected to reach Cooperstown, but some need to further solidify their standing. Aaron Judge, now in his tenth season and thus Hall-eligible, stands out with a remarkable trajectory potentially culminating in induction. His two MVP awards, .293 batting average, .410 on-base percentage, .615 slugging (177 OPS+), and rising JAWS ranking (15th overall) support this. He surpassed legends Ichiro Suzuki and Tony Gwynn in JAWS this season, and a third MVP could be on the horizon. Judge’s counting stats—1,155 hits, 197 doubles, 352 home runs, 801 RBIs, and 826 runs scored—might seem modest but reflect his still-ongoing career peak.

Paul Goldschmidt likely qualifies already, closely matching the Hall average for first basemen in JAWS and WAR. With an MVP, a .289/.380/.506 slash, 2,158 hits, 469 doubles, 370 homers, 1,224 RBIs, and 1,262 runs, his case is strong despite minor concerns about counting stats.

Freddie Freeman appears poised to join the locks quickly, possibly already there. With an MVP, two World Series championships including October’s World Series MVP performance, and a career .300 average with a 142 OPS+, Freeman leads active players in runs (1,348), hits (2,369), doubles (535), and RBIs (1,283), along with 353 home runs. His current JAWS position aligns closely with Keith Hernandez, and he remains under contract through 2027.

Manny Machado crossed the 2,000 hits milestone this season at just 33 years old. In addition to his 2,018 hits, 388 doubles, 361 homers, 1,112 RBIs, and 1,052 runs, Machado ranks 18th in JAWS at third base, suggesting a clear path to Cooperstown’s ranks.

Nolan Arenado, ranked 19th in JAWS at third base this season, holds a 119 OPS+ with 1,909 hits, 402 doubles, 351 home runs, 1,175 RBIs, 987 runs, and the challenge of playing half his games in hitter-friendly Coors Field. His superb defensive abilities are expected to counterbalance some offensive skepticism, though his Hall status remains not yet guaranteed.

Chris Sale recently earned his first Cy Young award, climbing to 64th in starting pitcher JAWS and surpassing players like Mark Buehrle and Andy Pettitte. His win total (143) is underwhelming for a strikeout artist with 2,528 Ks in his 36th year, but his positioning on the Hall ballot is improving.

Bryce Harper’s standing is less secure, sitting 28th in JAWS, below the Hall average but above Brian Giles. While his two MVPs and reputation add weight, his 1,746 hits, 391 doubles, 351 home runs, 1,019 RBIs, and 1,129 runs scored remain lighter than some peers. Harper, 32, continues adding to a .281/.388/.521 (143 OPS+) career line.

Francisco Lindor’s standout 2024 season boosted him to 20th in JAWS among shortstops, progressing to 19th this season. His .273 average, 119 OPS+, 203 stolen bases, and strong defensive skills position him just below the Hall average. A leader known as a

heart and soul of the team

adds value beyond numbers. His counts include 1,597 hits, 323 doubles, 268 homers, 828 RBIs, and 962 runs scored.

José Ramírez ranks 21st in JAWS at third base, trailing Machado, Arenado, and Evan Longoria. He has a strong MVP voting record (once second, twice third, plus several top-six finishes) and totals 1,613 hits, 384 doubles, 276 homers, 920 RBIs, 962 runs, and 274 steals, combining a .280 average and 131 OPS.

Players Progressing Toward the Hall of Fame but Facing Challenges

Several players are trending positively but have obstacles that may require overcoming to secure Hall induction. Jose Altuve’s situation is complicated by the Astros sign-stealing scandal, which tarnished some players’ reputations. Despite this, Altuve’s numbers: .305 career average, 128 OPS+, 2,340 hits, 448 doubles, 246 home runs, 865 RBIs, 1,212 runs, 321 steals, and one of the best postseason records ever, support his case. At 35 and 19th in JAWS at second base, his journey to Cooperstown may be contentious.

Shohei Ohtani, in his eighth MLB season, is a unique superstar whose Hall of Fame status will be assured once he reaches 10 years of MLB service, just two seasons away. His dual-threat talent as pitcher and hitter transcends typical statistical debates.

Gerrit Cole faces a recovery period after Tommy John surgery at age 34. His credentials include a Cy Young award, two ERA titles, 153 wins, and 2,251 strikeouts over 1,954 innings. While the modern Hall voting standards for pitchers are adapting, Cole currently ranks low in starting pitching JAWS, 152nd and behind several Hall candidates.

The futures of closers such as Kenley Jansen, Aroldis Chapman, and Craig Kimbrel remain uncertain. Billy Wagner’s eventual induction after 10 attempts provides some hope for these pitchers, but their relatively low career innings (Jansen 905, Kimbrel 810⅔, Chapman 800⅓) compared to Wagner’s 903 innings raise questions about how voting bodies will weigh workload in assessing Hall worthiness among relief pitchers.

Implications for Aaron Judge and Other MLB Stars

Aaron Judge’s imminent 2025 Hall eligibility combined with his exceptional statistics and accolades strongly suggests he is on track to become one of baseball’s iconic Hall of Famers. His combination of peak performance, physical stature, and historical milestones will influence voters as they assess his career. Judge’s trajectory reflects how modern power hitters can establish legacies comparable to past legends.

Other present-day stars such as Mike Trout, Freddie Freeman, and Nolan Arenado highlight the different yet converging paths players can follow toward Hall of Fame recognition. The evolving conversation around statistics, era adjustments, and off-field issues will continue shaping this process in the years ahead.

As the 2025 season unfolds, fans and analysts will be watching Judge’s performance closely, anticipating whether he secures that third MVP award and surpasses additional milestones that could further cement his Hall of Fame trajectory. Meanwhile, ongoing debates about pitchers’ growth, closers’ workloads, and the role of character within selection will remain central to Cooperstown discussions.

Our Reader’s Queries

Q. Why is Aaron Judge so special?

A. Aaron Judge is famous for hitting many home runs, having achieved three seasons with 50 home runs. Only four other players have done this.

Q. Does Aaron Judge know his biological parents?

A. Aaron Judge was adopted through a closed adoption, which means he hasn’t interacted with his birth parents. Since starting in MLB in 2016, he has gained many achievements as a standout outfielder for the New York Yankees.

Q. What is so special about Aaron Judge?

A. Aaron Judge, who was born on April 26, 1992, is a professional baseball player from the United States. He plays as an outfielder for the New York Yankees in Major League Baseball (MLB). Judge has been selected as an MLB All-Star seven times and has won the American League Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award twice. He also set the American League record for hitting the most home runs in a single season, with 62.

Q. Can Aaron Judge grow a beard?

A. When asked if he’ll grow a beard since the Yankees now allow “well-groomed” ones, the smiling captain said, “No,” on Saturday. Judge occasionally has facial hair during the offseason, but he doesn’t intend to have it during games.