MLB: Ten Current Players Who Could Make the Hall of Fame
By David Hill
CC Sabathia 219-134, 3.68 ERA, 1.247 WHiP, 2635 strikeouts
A pitcher who looked to be on his way out of baseball last season, CC Sabathia has not only turned his life around, but resurrected his career, potentially giving him a chance to be considered for the Hall of Fame.
Sabathia had been a strikeout artist and quite the workhorse during his time with the Cleveland Indians, consistently ranking in the top ten in strikeouts and in the top five in innings. He almost singlehandedly pitched the Milwaukee Brewers into the postseason after his trade on July 7, 2008, going 11-2 with a 1.65 ERA and a 1.003 WHiP, striking out 128 batters in 130.2 innings. Despite pitching only 17 games, Sabathia led the National League with seven complete games and three shutouts in his half of a year in Milwaukee.
During his peak, Sabathia was one of the best pitchers in the American League. He made six All Star Games, won a Cy Young award and finished sixth in the National League MVP vote for his amazing performance down the stretch in 2008. He had proven to be a dominant arm, and someone with a chance for greatness.
Unfortunately, the past few years have not been kind to Sabathia. He has dealt with problems with alcohol and his conditioning, losing his effectiveness as he lost his fastball. This season, he has reinvented himself, pitching effectively and changing his speeds while posting his best season since 2012.
CC Sabathia may not be the same pitcher he was early in his career, and his case for the Hall of Fame may be borderline at this point, but if he can pitch a few more seasons and continue his reinvention, Sabathia may have enough of a late career resurgence to make it to Cooperstown.
Next: The Dodgers ace