Hall of Famer: Angels
In this series, I’ll look at each MLB team’s position player and pitcher that is the most deserving of Hall of Fame consideration. They have to be a starter or significant contributor (sorry Ichiro, I still love you).
Los Angeles Angles
Position Player: Albert Pujols (DH/1B)
Sure, Mike Trout is baseball’s best player who has accumulated an astonishing 54.1 WAR in only 6 full big league seasons, but the Angels’ aging superstar, Albert Pujols, is still contributing (19 HR). Pujols is the greatest post-steroid era baseball player. His career stats of 610 HR (8th all-time), 1896 RBI (12th), and 5409 total bases (10th), are incredible. Top it off with 3 MVP’s, 10 All Star games, 2 Gold Gloves, 6 Silver Sluggers, 2 Hank Aaron Awards, a batting title, a Lou Gehrig Award, a Roberto Clemente Award, a Rookie of the Year Award, and an NLCS MVP. He won two World Series’ with the Cardinals and boasts a .323 avg with 19 HR in 77 career postseason games. If anyone deserves to make the HOF on the first ballot, it’s Pujols.
HOF Chance: 99%
Pitcher: Ricky Nolasco (SP)
The Angels’ pitching is horrible, but at least Nolasco has over 100 wins (114), and close to 1500 K’s (1490). Still, the 34 year old had little-to-no chance of making the Hall, unless he can find the fountain of youth and pitch better than he ever has.
HOF Chance: 2%
