Uggla's OPS+ is low compared to Kent's and I would assume from here on out it'll decline as he gets older. Kent's OPS+ was 123. Uggla's is only 115. I wouldn't bet on Uggla making the HoF unless he improves and I wouldn't bet on him improving.

Alomar will likely make it into the HOF in 2011 with a 116 OPS+, but he played good defense.

Kent was also an above-average fielder for an 11-year span of his career (1994-2004). Uggla =/= Kent, even if their home runs are (let alone OBP).

 

The one thing I will say is that Kent had to benefit greatly from batting right next to Barry Bonds in his best years, but even still, that would only be relevant if Kent himself manages to make the Hall.

 

What makes you think he was "above average" defensively? Granted they weren't available until late in his career, but Kent's +/- numbers were terrible (like near worst in baseball bad). There are some "total zone" numbers that don't look too favorable on the whole, but they look sporadic and I'm not sure how they stack up against the rest of the league.

 

If Kent doesn't get in (I'm certain he wouldn't be first ballot), then Uggla has no shot. If Kent makes it, Uggla needs to break the 400 HR mark to make up for Kent's MVP award (or win one of his own) in order to be considered.

 

Fangraphs:

http://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=1119&position=2B

 

Just basing it off of their numbers. From 1994-2004 he was +37 runs fielding. I don't have access to +/- though, so I don't know about that. He was terrible in 2003 (maybe he was learning a new position? I have no idea why....) and he was terrible in 2005 and beyond. It appears that he was left at 2B far too long. His overall numbers aren't great, but he was pretty good for a long stretch there according to fangraphs.

Do you think Alfonso Soriano should be in the Hall of Fame because of what he did from 2001-2005? Uggla's got no shot.

Do you think Alfonso Soriano should be in the Hall of Fame because of what he did from 2001-2005? Uggla's got no shot.

 

 

actually...

 

to 2006.

 

But... the difference here is that you are comparing something that has already been done versus an untold story.

 

And by the way... if Soriano continues to play (that seems to be the big theme here... if he can outlast the typical age that a player begins to slow down significantly at) he has a shot. He's already over 300 HRs, and he's 34. I think the big thing for him is to break 400. Considering he's back on pace for 30 this year, the last two seasons have just been lows in terms of HRs. Also, looking at his +.500 career slugging, he definitely still has a chance. I wouldnt say he's going, but I wouldnt count him out either.

Alfonso Soriano has and can do great things offensively, but he won't get in the HOF just because of providing great offense for a second basemen. He wasn't good enough there defensively to stay at the position, thus he's not really a second basemen.

 

Uggla is a candidate to change positions at some point, but if he is able to stick at second he will be judged compared to other second basemen historically.

Alfonso Soriano is still a bad comparison, especially because he's certainly not done in the HR dept. and mightve last year shown signs of regression but quickly picked that back up. Dont doubt on him, really.