Final Predictions for the 2016 Baseball Hall of Fame Induction Class – Bleacher Report

Of the 32 players up for induction in 2016, 15 are on the ballot for the first time. In alphabetical order, here are 11 players who don’t have a prayer of receiving at least five percent of the vote.

Garrett Anderson, OF

Anderson had a solid 17-year career, making three All-Star teams and compiling a lifetime .293 average and 287 home runs. But his 102 career OPS+ signifies that he was barely an above-average hitter, and the Jaffe WAR Score System (JAWS) puts him well outside the game’s great left fielders.

Brad Ausmus, C

Ausmus was a three-time Gold Glove catcher who, as Rob Neyer of Fox Sports noted, we now know was a master of framing pitches throughout his 18-year career. But with just a .251 career average, 80 home runs and likewise “meh” offensive numbers across the board, Ausmus’ glove is really all he has.

Luis Castillo, INF

Castillo was a three-time All-Star who twice led the majors in stolen bases in a 15-year career. But with 370 career steals to 142 career caught-stealings, he is not one of the great speedsters of all time. Nor was he a great hitter (92 OPS+) or a great second baseman in general.

David Eckstein, SS

Eckstein did indeed play beyond his diminutive stature here and there, notably making two All-Star teams and winning the 2006 World Series MVP. But his career lasted just 10 seasons, and was largely unremarkable. Oh well. He’ll live on as one of the greatest inside jokes of Parks and Recreation.

Troy Glaus, 3B

Glaus was at times one of the game’s most feared sluggers during his 13-year career, leading the American League in home runs in 2000 on his way to 320 total homers. But that’s hardly a Cooperstown-worthy figure, and Glaus doesn’t have much else to elevate his Hall of Fame argument.

Mark Grudzielanek, 2B

Grudzielanek made one All-Star team and won one Gold Glove during a 15-year career. Also…Well, that’s actually pretty much it, actually. 

Jason Kendall, C

Kendall was mostly good in a 15-year career, making three All-Star teams and hitting .288 while being a consistent presence behind the dish. But his career really tailed off after an early peak, and one doubts that enough voters will be convinced by his JAWS standing among all-time catchers.

Mike Hampton, SP

Hampton enjoyed a strong three-year peak between 1998 and 2000, winning 48 games and posting a 3.12 ERA that his 140 ERA+ tells us was outstanding for its time. But the rest of his 16-year career was largely mediocre, and he might now be best known as one of the worst free agent signings ever.

Mike Lowell, 3B

Lowell’s 13-year career included a strong six-year peak that included four All-Star selections and two World Series titles. Notably, he was named the World Series MVP in 2007. But while strong, his peak was less than Koufaxian, and his 108 career OPS+ and 223 career homers fail to impress.

Mike Sweeney, 1B

Sweeney had a better peak than you may remember, as he hit .313 with a 130 OPS+ between 1999 and 2005. In that span, he made five All-Star teams. But he was otherwise just OK in his 16-year career, and it should also be noted that the Hall of Fame standards at first base are pretty darn high.

Randy Winn, OF

Winn was an All-Star in 2002, the first year of a seven-year peak in which he hit .294 with 94 homers and 140 steals. That’s not enough to save his 13-year career from mediocrity, however. For what it’s worth, he’ll always have a special place in the heart of this fellow San Ramon Valley High School alum.