Atlanta Braves: Ozzie Albies charting early Hall of Fame path

It may be very early in his career, but Atlanta Braves second baseman Ozzie Albies is already beginning a Hall of Fame case.

Over the course of major league history, there had been nine second basemen to have at least two seasons with 40+ doubles and 20+ homers in the same year. There are three Hall of Fame players on that list: Roberto Alomar, Craig Biggio, and Rogers Hornsby. Three other players; Jeff Kent, Robinson Cano, and Chase Utley; could have a solid argument for enshrinement.

On Thursday, another name was added to that list. Atlanta Braves young star Ozzie Albies became the tenth second baseman in MLB history to notch two such seasons. Unlike the others, Albies is the only one in that group to have even one season with 40+ doubles and 20+ homers before turning 25, let alone both.

What makes Albies inclusion on this list even more remarkable is that he is still short of having two full seasons in the majors. At this point, his 162 game average has a respectable .277/.330/.477 batting line, with 40 doubles, 13 homers, and 17 steals. At just 22 years old.

More from Call to the Pen

• Philadelphia Phillies, ready for a stretch run, bomb St. Louis Cardinals
• Philadelphia Phillies: The 4 players on the franchise’s Mount Rushmore
• Boston Red Sox fans should be upset over Mookie Betts’ comment
• Analyzing the Boston Red Sox trade for Dave Henderson and Spike Owen
• 2023 MLB postseason likely to have a strange look without Yankees, Red Sox, Cardinals

Obviously, at this juncture of Albies career, it is difficult to project what he will be going forward. It is possible he could become a superstar, and we are just seeing the beginning of his ascension. Likewise, it is possible that he could go the way of players such as Cesar Cedeno and Tony Oliva – brilliant at the start of their careers, only to fade away.

However, there is no debate that he is off to an impressive start to his career. In just two seasons, he has joined a list with some of the best second basemen in the history of the game. Even a player like Kent can lay claim to being the best offensive second baseman that the majors has ever seen.

Whatever path Albies takes, it is certain to happen in a Braves uniform. Atlanta has already locked up their budding star, signing him to a seven year, $35 million extension that includes two team options for 2026 and 2027. That deal was already regarded as a bargain, but if Albies continues to develop as he has, this contract could become one of the biggest steals in the game.

In just two seasons, Ozzie Albies is on a potential Hall of Fame arc. As it is, the Atlanta Braves youngster has accomplished a feat matched by only nine other second basemen in the history of the game.