In the continuing series, Hof or Not?, The Times Herald is examining which players have the potential to make the Hall of Fame. Today we are looking at third base, where the pickings are slim. True manners of the hot corner are in short supply, as third base in Cobb World has historically been dominated by players who have another natural position.
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Diego Nieto - Fargo Fug Nuts
Qualifications: 1 All Star appearance, 1 Gold Glove, 204 HR's, 696 RBI's
Detriments: .949 fielding % at 3rd base, 690 K's, good but not elite offensive numbers
HoF or Not: NOT - Nieto has been a solid performer for many years, but ultimately he doesn't have the credentials to book a spot in Cooperstown.
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Donte Wright - St. Louis HoundDogs
Qualifications: 3 All Star appearances, 4 Silver Sluggers, 1 ROY, 244 HR's, .302 BA, 839 RBI's
Detriments: .949 Fielding %
HoF or Not: HOF - Wright is a natural Hall of Famer at the 3B position, and has been an offensive rock on every team he has played for. Not the most talented with the glove, he still gets the job done.
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Tommy Henley - Pittsburgh SSP
Qualifications: 2 All Star appearances, 1,475 assists at 3B, 274 HR's. 908 RBI's
Detriments: .939 Fielding %, .277 BA, 144 Errors
HoF or Not: NOT - Henley is a slugger who has been able to club his way into the lineup, but his glove has been a hindrance in his career. Ultimately Henly is a one dimensional player who can't match up to players like Donte Wright.
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O.T. Jarvis - Pawtucket G-Maniacs
Qualifications: 2 All Star appearances, 1 Silver Slugger, .323 BA, 9 to Zero positive to negative play ratio
Detriments: .949 Fielding %, only half his career played at 3B
HoF or Not - HOF - If Jarvis continues his career at 3B, he will accrue some of the best offensive numbers for the position. He will also have better career defensive numbers if his current pace at 3B continues.
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Sammy Maduro - Omaha Sluggers
Qualifications: 201 HR's, 524 Runs, 1,380 Assists at 3B, 153 DP's
Detriments: .928 Fielding %, 153 Errors, average offensive numbers
HoF or Not: NOT - Maduro has been playing 3B for a long time, and as a result has put up some numbers. Unfortunately those numbers are consistently average, not consistently great. You need to be great to make the Hall, and Maduro has merely been dependable.
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Wayne Wilson - Fargo Fug Nuts
Qualifications: 2 All Star appearances, 2 Silver Sluggers, 111 HR's in 3 seasons, .305 BA, .958 Fielding %
Detriments: Not enough years played at the position
HoF or Not: HOF - Wilson has only played 3B for three full seasons, but it has become apparent that he is the dominant player at that position for the time being. And being only 24 years of age, he has a very bright future ahead of him. Only a career ending injury could prevent him from getting into the Hall.
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Thomas Hill - Helena Hellraisers
Qualifications: 2 All Star appearances, 3 Silver Sluggers, 1 MVP, .979 Fielding % at 3B
Detriments: Not many
HoF or Not: HOF - Hill arrived in a big way last season when he won the AL MVP. He has a bright future and should be a 30 HR, 100 RBI man every season. His defense is stellar as well, and he should win a Gold Glove or two before his career is over.
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Vasco Chantres - Wichita Wankers
Qualifications: 2 All Star appearances, 1 Silver Slugger, 263 HR's, 875 RBI's, .967 Fielding % at 3B
Detriments: Horrible coaching killed the prime of his career, not enough games played at 3B
HoF or Not: NOT - Chantres is perhaps the saddest story in Cobb World. Projected to be one of the best hitters in the history of the game, horrible coaching and indifferent management killed his career. He has rebounded, but is a shadow of what he could have been, which is frightening considering how well he has played of late. If he can continue his turnaround, then his Hall of Fame chances should turn around as well. We're just not ready to call him a Hall of Famer yet though.
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Ryan Saberhagen - St. Louis HoundDogs
Qualifications: 3 All Star appearances, 3 Gold Gloves, 193 HR's, .977 Fielding %
Detriments: Average offensive numbers
HoF or Not: HOF - Saberhagen has proven that he is one of the best defensive players at 3B in the history of Cobb World. At the age of 29, he still has several more seasons to continue proving it. His solid but not spectacular offensive numbers are a given in any lineup.
On the radar but not yet ready for the discussion: Edgar Mercado - San Diego Small Ballers.
1 comment:
Thanks for adding Nieto to this list. Consistent 30/100 guy. Not a Hall of Famer but very steady run producer in the #7 or 8 batting spot.
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