Sunday, August 21, 2011

Take 5- Pitchers

OK, since we've already taken a look at the eligible hitters, let's head to the other category:

Who are the top 5 pitchers eligible for the Hall of Fame?



1. Christopher Siddall

Case for: Best career ERA and WHIP of all currently eligible pitchers, was a dominant middle reliever, pitched over 100 innings with a WHIP of less than 1.00 five times (including a 0.84 WHIP in 138 innings in season 1).

Case against: No major hardware, only two All-Star appearances, finished with less than 120 combined wins and saves.

Outlook: Hard to say. It's a shame his career happened so early in the existence of the world because if he had started later on and had, say, 10 to 12 years of this type of performance he would become the ultimate test case of "Can a middle reliever get voted into the HOF"? As with the next two guys to follow, time is not on their side- they've been retired for a few years and haven't been voted in yet and the next few seasons will see the retirements of guys like Dunwoody, Robinson, and eventually even Henriquez, making it harder to get in.


2. Matty Eusebio

Case for: 122-63 record, career ERA under 3, won at least 15 games 6 times, finished with a WHIP under 1.00 three times, 4-time All Star, pitched a no-hitter.

Case against: No Cy Young awards (in his defense, he might have a few if Henriquez had pitched in the AL), never won 20, does not appear in the top 5 all-time in any major pitching category for either a season or a career.

Outlook: Questionable at best.


3. Vin Solano

Case for: Career winning percentage of .768, career ERA of 2.95, 2 Cy Young awards to go with 4 All-Star appearances and a World Series ring.

Case against: Didn't win 100 games in his career, only started 5 years in the Bigs with two of those being dominant (his Cy Young seasons).


Outlook: See Eusebio.


4. Pablo Rijo

Case for: 443 career saves, 6 All-Star appearances, saved 40 or more games five times.

Case against: Very inconsistent as a closer- had 3 seasons with an ERA over 5, no Fireman of the Year awards, career ERA over 4.

Outlook: Chances are slim to none, and Slim is walking out the door. I don't see it happening.



5. Babe Broadhurst

Case for: 3-time All Star, twice won 18 games, career 3.32 ERA (yeah, I'll admit it's a pretty weak case).

Case against: Only 115 career wins, never won 20, lasted only 8 years as a starter.

Outlook: See Rijo. He's basically Carlton Fleming with a little more longevity and maybe slightly less dominance. Neither guy is getting in (and rightfully so).

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