Which active MLB players are most likely to make the Hall of Fame?

Trout has had perhaps the most remarkable first 13 years of an MLB career, winning three MVP Awards, Rookie of the Year, and appearing in 11 All-Star Games. Through 2023, he had 368 career home runs and a career OPS near 1.000.

Verlander has shown incredible longevity, with 18 active seasons and over 3,300 innings thrown. He won his third Cy Young in 2022, and also finished second place in the voting three times. The right-hander has over 250 wins and 3,300 strikeouts, also winning MVP in 2011.

Scherzer is on a short list of pitchers who have won three Cy Young Awards. He's also been an All-Star eight times and has fanned over 3,300 batters for his career.

The last few seasons of Kershaw's career has been plagued by injuries, but he was the best pitcher in baseball from 2011-2015, winning three Cy Youngs and one MVP during that time. The nine-time All-Star is closing in on 3,000 career strikeouts, has over 200 wins, and is still dominant when healthy.

Ohtani had arguably the greatest season in MLB history in 2021, considering he performed at an elite level as both a hitter and pitcher, and nearly topped it in 2023 to win his second MVP. The elite pace as a two-way player seems like it could be tough to keep up long-term, but Ohtani has already done things no one could have truly expected. Six MLB seasons in the books, Ohtani has a chance to not only be a Hall of Famer but the best baseball player who ever lived if he continues this elite level as both a hitter and pitcher.

The best defensive third baseman of his era, Arenado has won 10 Gold Gloves and six Platinum Gloves in 11 seasons. He's also won five Silver Sluggers, and proved last season that he was still an elite hitter outside of Coors Field. Arenado has more work to do with offensive stats that were aided by playing in Colorado, but his power has continued to be top flight in St. Louis.

Greinke has a Hall of Fame resume with one Cy Young, two ERA titles, and six All-Star appearances. The right-hander has thrown over 3,300 innings in 20 seasons.

If Harper isn't a surefire Hall of Famer yet, he's close. He won his second MVP in 2021 and has appeared in seven All-Star Games over 12 seasons. The outfielder also won Rookie of the Year in 2012 and has plenty of time to add to his stats at age 31 if he can stay healthy.

Betts has been an elite player in two large baseball markets, which can't hurt his Hall of Fame candidacy. He has quietly put together an elite career with an MVP, seven All-Star appearances, and six Gold Gloves in the outfield. Still shy of age 32, he has plenty of time to lock in his Hall of Fame credentials.

Goldschmidt had plenty of career accolades before winning his first MVP Award at age 35 in 2022. The Cardinals star has seven All-Star appearances, four Gold Gloves, and five Silver Sluggers with over 300 home runs and a .907 OPS for his career. He likely sealed his status with his 2022 performance.

The sabermetrics era helps Votto's candidacy as an on-base machine for most of his career with a career .409 on-base percentage. He won the NL MVP in 2010 and has appeared in six All-Star Games with 356 career home runs.

The face of Houston's recent success, for better or worse, Altuve has been arguably the best second baseman of his era. He has eight All-Star appearances and an MVP award, along with three batting titles and six Silver Sluggers. At age 33, he still has a long way to reach 3,000 hits with just over 2,000 hits currently.

Cole has been an elite starting pitcher for much of his career, with a 3.17 ERA and over 2,100 strikeouts. He also finally won his first Cy Young in 2023. Cole has plenty of time left considering his durability in 11 seasons.

DeGrom's Hall of Fame candidacy is strong, but he might need a little more to get over the hump. Over 10 MLB seasons, he's won Rookie of the Year and two Cy Young Awards. DeGrom was well on his way to a historic season in 2021, but arm injuries sidelined him multiple times and continued to hamper him.

Freeman has been one of the elite first basemen in baseball for over 10 years, and his move to the Los Angeles market should do him some favors if he keeps up his peak performance. Approaching his 15th season, Freeman has seven All-Star appearances, three Silver Sluggers, a Gold Glove and an MVP in the shortened 2020 season.

Judge is squarely on the MVP radar after winning AL MVP in 2022 with a historic 62 home run campaign. That adds to an already impressive career that included the Rookie of the Year in 2017, five All-Star appearances, and two previous top four MVP voting finishes. Judge likely punches his ticket to the Hall of Fame with a couple more elite seasons.

Machado's Hall of Fame credentials don't match that of Bryce Harper, but he's still on a nice trajectory. Over 12 seasons, Machado has made six All-Star appearances with two Gold Gloves and one Silver Slugger. Nearing age 32, Machado has 313 career home runs.

Soto looks like a potentially all-time elite player if his first six seasons are any indication. He came just short of winning Rookie of the Year in 2018 and finished second in the MVP voting in 2021. However, Soto has already led the league on on-base percentage twice with 160 home runs before turning 25. His move to the Yankees can only help.

Ramirez is set to be in Cleveland for the long haul and should be able to pad his strong resume. He has five All-Star appearances with four Silver Sluggers, also finishing top five in MVP voting four times. 

Turner was paid like the elite player in 2023, though the 30-year-old has some work to do to garner Hall of Fame consideration. He does have two All-Star appearances and a batting title in his eight-year career, though early-career injuries did delay his elite seasons. Philadelphia hopes his play over the next 10 years puts him in Cooperstown.

Acuna has been one of the most exciting players in MVP since his promotion in 2018, winning Rookie of the Year and appearing in four All-Star Games with three Silver Sluggers. He put his career on another level by winning MVP in 2023, leading the NL in hits, runs, stolen bases, and OPS.

Lindor still has some work to do, but he has a solid foundation through his age 29 season with four All-Star appearances, three Silver Sluggers, and two Gold Gloves. Playing in a big market with the Mets can only help,

Perez's recent power has vaulted his Hall of Fame candidacy. The defense has declined following five Gold Gloves, but Perez has made eight All-Star appearances and won four Silver Sluggers. Now an elite power bat, leading the AL with 48 home runs in 2021, Perez is gaining momentum as a future Hall of Fame candidate.

Devers has quickly become the face of the Red Sox as an elite hitter. He made back-to-back All-Star appearances by age 26 and continues to rake as an MVP candidate. 

The son of a Hall of Famer, Guerrero has similarly elite potential. He had a breakout 2021 season, leading the AL in home runs, on-base, and slugging. Guerrero was only prevented from an MVP award due to Shohei Ohtani, and he's on a great track at age 25.