To add to yall's conversation, this was a solid article, talking about where Chapman ranks among closers: https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id...s-hall-fame-aroldis-chapman-strikeouts-record There's a Hader mention in the Chapman section: Simply put, Chapman has been the hardest pitcher to hit in major league history, ranking first in highest strikeout rate and lowest batting average allowed among pitchers with at least 600 innings [Hader has 526.1] ... Josh Hader might eventually pass him on the strikeout rate and batting average tallies K%: Chapman 39.5, Hader 41.1 OBA: Chapman .167, Hader .156
Bagwell made a total of four All Star games. Surely we aren’t using that as a meaningful number to determine HoF? I think Hader’s K rate is exceptional and I think you’ve got a good point there. But Edwin Diaz and Kimbrel both do that too. Do you think 4 or 5 closers get in from this era? This is an era of baseball when strikeouts are up across the board compared with Wagner’s era so the numbers have to viewed in context.
Even Yordan's strikeouts are productive The Tampa RF is not someone you want to challenge on the bases, he just threw a minimal effort dart to HP
Regarding All-Star games.... surely we *are* using that as a factor.. Is it the be-all-end-all ?? Of course not. But when you're comparing great players, everything matters and anything could hurt. Regarding Bagwell, his lack of ASG was a factor that hurt him. Biggio too for that matter. When comparing HOFs specifically, there are levels. Some players make it in 1-2 years of eligibility, other players wait a decade. Edwin Diaz's ERA and ERA+ will be a hindrance without 400, maybe 450, saves. Chapman is pretty much a lock.
