These LA Dodgers Might Be Future Hall of Famers

Granted, it’s only been two-plus years, but Seager’s 162-game averages (26 home runs, 82 runs batted in, .305 avg., .374/.502/.876 slash line) compare very favorably to some Hall of Fame shortstops. Several Hall of Fame shortstops were inducted for their defensive prowess or were elected well before offense became a shortstop must.

So, let’s compare Seager’s averages to Hall of Fame shortstops of the past two decades (plus Ernie Banks, because he was, well, Ernie Banks). Banks was arguably one of the greatest shortstop of all time on both sides of the ball. He averaged 33 home runs, 105 RBIs per year and had a career .274 average and .330/.500/.830 slash line. Banks appeared in 14 All-Star games, won a Gold Glove award and was the National league MVP in both 1958 and 1959.

More recent Hall of Famers to compare to Seager include Barry Larkin, Cal Ripken Jr., Ozzie Smith, Alan Trammell and Robin Yount. Smith is the greatest defensive shortstop ever, but wasn’t much of a hitter (unless he was facing Tom Niedenfuer in Game 6 of the 1985 NLCS). Of  that group, Seager’s offensive prowess compares most favorably to … well, all of them.

Ten or 15 more years of this, and Seager is a shoo-in.

162 Game Averages

In 2017, Bellinger was an All-Star, won the Dodgers’ 18^th Rookie of the Year Award, clubbed a National League rookie record 39 home runs and drove in a team-high 97 runs. He batted .267 with a .352/.581/.933 slash line.

Granted, Bellinger hasn’t even played a full season yet, but his stock is rising faster than Amazon’s. While Bellinger likely will never be compared to Lou Gehrig, Stan Musial or Jimmie Foxx, his average statistical comparisons might some day stand up to recent Hall of Fame inductees Jeff Bagwell, Orlando Cepeda, Willie McCovey, Eddie Murray and Tony Perez.

162 Game Averages  *132 games total