With the 400th Home Run smacked of Adrian Beltre, there have been a few people speculating about his Hall of Fame chances. Coincidentally, there are some that read that headline and say…Adrian Beltre?
In 2004, Beltre had his breakthrough (and to date best) season of his career as a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers where he was the National League MVP runner-up, the Home Run champion and owner of an OPS over one. Beltre never reached those stats again, but was considered an upper echelon player and would make the All Star team four times, won the Gold Glove four times and the Silver Slugger four times and at age 36 there still seems to be a lot left in the tank of the current Texas Rangers Third Baseman.
In terms of traditional statistics, Beltre does not just have the 400 Home Run milestone under his belt. As of this writing he is at 2,643 Hits making him a legitimate threat to break the 3,000 barrier. That is impressive, but sabremeticians have been promoting his cause for years.
At present, Beltre is 40th overall in bWAR for position players with 78.8 and is first overall in Defensive bWAR among active players. His JAWS is 63.7, 6th overall in Third Basemen all time, and well above a Cooperstown projection.
Still, despite having played in major markets like Los Angeles, Beltre does not have a signature moment, nor does he have that cache name that makes Baseball fans drool.
Will he get in? He probably should, but don’t expect it to happen right away, because it won’t!
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