Active MLB players who are ‘locks’ for the Baseball Hall of Fame according to Jayson Stark

Who belongs in the Baseball Hall of Fame is always one of the sport’s favorite debates, and Jayson Stark recently added more fuel to the conversation. According to a list shared by Sleeper MLB on X, Stark identified nine active players he considers to be absolute “locks” for Cooperstown.

MORE: Longest MLB winning streaks this century

Not Just About Who Made The List, It’s Also About Who Didn’t

It’s difficult to argue against any of the names Stark has listed. Each has built a résumé worthy of baseball’s highest honor, whether through MVP awards, Cy Young Awards, World Series championships, historic statistics, or sustained excellence over many seasons. Here is his list:

• Justin Verlander

• Max Scherzer

• Mike Trout

• Freddie Freeman

• Mookie Betts

• Aaron Judge

• Nolan Arenado

• Jose Altuve

• Shohei Ohtani

Depending on who you ask, perhaps Jose Altuve shouldn’t be included because is involvement in the Houston Astros cheating scandal. The biggest conversation here shouldn’t be about who made the list, though.

We need to look at who didn’t.

Several Closers Have Hall of Fame Cases

If the conversation is about players who are “locks,” it’s fair to wonder why elite closers like Aroldis Chapman, Kenley Jansen, and Craig Kimbrel were omitted.

All three rank among the most accomplished relief pitchers of their generation. They’ve accumulated hundreds of saves, multiple All-Star selections, and have spent well over a decade serving as dominant late-inning options.

Closers have historically faced a difficult path to Cooperstown, but each of those veterans has assembled a career that deserves serious Hall of Fame consideration.

MORE: One player every MLB team will trade at the 2026 trade deadline

Star Position Players Were Left Out

The omissions don’t stop in the bullpen.

Bryce Harper has been one of baseball’s defining superstars for more than a decade, collecting MVP awards while remaining one of the game’s biggest attractions.

Manny Machado has paired elite offensive production with Gold Glove-caliber defense throughout his career and continues to add to an already impressive statistical résumé.

Then there’s Salvador Perez, who has become one of the greatest catchers of his era. Between his World Series title, Gold Gloves, Silver Sluggers, All-Star appearances, and long-term consistency behind the plate, Perez has built a compelling Hall of Fame case of his own.

Elite Starting Pitchers Also Deserve Mention

Two more notable omissions came from the starting rotation.

When healthy, Jacob deGrom has been nearly untouchable, producing one of the most dominant peaks any pitcher has enjoyed over the past two decades.

Meanwhile, Chris Sale has spent much of his career among baseball’s elite left-handed starters, combining strikeout dominance with longevity and postseason success.

While injuries have affected portions of both careers, their accomplishments are difficult to ignore.

MORE: 5 MLB pitchers who will be traded before the trade deadline

There Are More Than Nine ‘Locks’

Stark’s list is filled with deserving names, and few baseball fans would dispute that Verlander, Scherzer, Trout, Ohtani, and the others are headed to Cooperstown.

However, limiting the conversation to just nine players feels incomplete.

Chapman, Jansen, Kimbrel, Harper, Machado, Perez, deGrom, and Sale have all built careers that place them firmly in the Hall of Fame discussion. Whether every one of them ultimately gets elected remains to be seen, but leaving them completely off a list of current “locks” is certain to spark debate.

And perhaps that’s exactly the point. When it comes to the Baseball Hall of Fame, there are few topics that generate stronger opinions than deciding who truly belongs in Cooperstown.

— Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories on The Big Lead —