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Hall of Fame: Does Jimmy Rollins Belong, And Who Else Does?

By Benjamin Chase

May 18, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago White Sox shortstop Jimmy Rollins (7) reacts after missing a line drive against the Houston Astros during the sixth inning at U.S. Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
May 18, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago White Sox shortstop Jimmy Rollins (7) reacts after missing a line drive against the Houston Astros during the sixth inning at U.S. Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /

Joe Mauer, C/1B, 2004-present

Career Stats: .312/.394/.449, 1,757 hits

Mauer has fallen out of national knowledge in the last few seasons, and I’d wager nearly no one would believe that he’s only 33 and currently sporting a 120 OPS+ on the season. Mauer was a #1 overall selection that won 3 batting titles as a catcher, twice leading the entire major leagues in hitting, something that had never been done.

However, after he suffered a number of concussions and struggled with recovering from those concussions, he was moved from behind the plate to first base in 2014. He’s still struggled with effects from the concussions, but he reports this season that he is finally feeling clear and seeing the ball well again.

The interesting part will be how history will look at Mauer. He is still signed for two more seasons with the Twins, which would bring him through his age 35 season. If his rejuvenation this season is real, then he could end up with 10 seasons at catcher and 9 seasons at first base at the end of his contract. If he gets one more 2-3 year deal after that as a 1B/DH, he could certainly have more time off of catcher than at catcher, and that could change his view historically.

Currently, he’s got a 44.0 JAWS score, which is already higher than the HOF catcher score of 43.4. Away from positional adjustments, he’s still making good strides, though. His black ink is 15 with 27 being average HOFer. His gray ink is 39 with average HOFer being 144. His Hall of Fame Monitor is 84 with a likely HOFer being 100. His Hall of Fame Standards number is 40 already with the average HOFer scoring 50.

We may be watching a future Hall of Famer every day for the Twins, and I highly doubt most people would be able to rattle off Mauer if you gave them the quiz of naming the 5 active players who have already exceeded the average JAWS score for a HOFer at their primary career position.

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