Best MLB players not in the Hall of Fame: Atlanta Braves, Andruw Jones
WAR value: 61.0
Andruw Jones is, without a doubt, one of the best players to ever wear an Atlanta Braves uniform. He compiled a 61.0 WAR in only 12 seasons with the team and the first season only featured limited action as he was still a teenager.
Jones won 10 Gold Gloves, made five All-Star Games, and even hit 368 home runs during his time in Atlanta. He was also on the field nearly every single day and provided that rare mix of excellence on offense and defense. Having one of your best power hitters play center field is not a common thing in today’s game.
He has also gained steady support in Hall of Fame voting since becoming eligible, but he has a long way to go for enshrinement. Jones may end up being one of the players who it takes a long time to get in, but a veterans committee realizes he did enough without ever being a true superstar of the game.
There has to be some consideration for the fact he was a perennial Gold Glove winner when it comes to his Hall of Fame consideration. 10 straight years of playing elite defense at a position that requires so much speed and athleticism is nothing to discount. And it’s not like he was struggling on offense at all during that stretch.
Jones ranks fourth in Braves history in the WAR category for batters. Going above 60.0 in his Braves career alone should mean he gets in at some point.