Eli Cash - contributing reporter
For a refresher for those new voters, be sure to skim past articles; particularly the primer for a detailed explanation of the three scoring system we use. As a quick reminder, a sure thing for a hitter is 60/130/500, for a starter its 60/130/420 and for a reliever (who doesn't use the Test Score) is 130/250. You'll see them highlighted in blue below.
Players ranked by Monitor score
Merced sat strong at 11 votes last year, but still 6 short of enshrinement. The scores don't lie, Merced ranks above 9 other Cobbfather HoF pitchers and just below Chris Pendleton.
Stat Chasers: 3000+ K, 270 W, 5 seasons of 18+ W, 6 of 200+ K and 6 sub 3.00 ERA seasons.
Trophy Chasers: 7x All Star, 3x World Series rings
MLB (Monitor) Comparisons: Don Sutton, Catfish Hunter, Early Wynn
Braeden Abercrombie
When a pitcher top 3000 K with 9 sub 3.00 ERA seasons you know he's been dominant. Cash wouldn't be surprised to see more votes for him this season, but will it cost Merced or others their enshrinement?
Stat Chasers: 3000+ K, 4 seasons of 18+ W, 8 of 200+ K, 9 sub 3.00 ERA seasons.
Trophy Chasers: 6x All Star, 1x Cy Young, 1x World Series ring
MLB (Monitor) Comparisons: Bert Blyleven, Mike Mussina, Jack Morris
Midre Tavarez
His comps aren't the best, but he did get more votes last season. We covered how similar he is to Merced in last season's Hall recap if you'd like to jump over for a quick read.
Stat Chasers: 270+ W, 5 seasons with 18+ W, 5 sub 3.00 ERA seasons.
Trophy Chasers: 6x All Star, 2 World Series rings, 1x No Hitter
MLB (Monitor) Comparisons: Jose Mesa, Tommy John, Ron Guidry
Players ranked by Monitor score
Al Balentien
I wouldn't blame you for continuing to push for Balentien for the Hall, as 13 current Cobbfather HoFers rank below Balentien's 179 Monitor score. Nearly topped 500 saves - ranking #3 all time on the saves list.
Stat Chasers: 8 seasons of 40+ SV, 6 of sub 3.00 ERA
Trophy Chasers: 8x All Star, 5x Fireman of the Year, 1x World Series ring
MLB (Monitor) Comparisons: Tom Glavine, Gaylord Perry, Jim Palmer
Tomo Hayashi - received Eli Cash's vote
In the prime of his career while many owners would have used him as a closer, jake72 had him pitching every other game. In fact in Season 36 he pitched in over half of that season's game (86). On the low end he could have averaged 40 saves those 9 saves; which would have given him 705 saves. But a strong bullpen is a strong bullpen. Similar to Balentien, outranks 13 current Cobbfather Hall of Famers.
Stat Chasers: Pitched to the tune of 13 sub 3.00 ERA seasons (5 were sub 2.00). Even though he didn't close during his prime, he still managed 8 seasons of 30+ SVs.
Trophy Chasers: 7x All Star, 1x Fireman of the Year, 2x World Series ring
MLB (Monitor) Comparisons: Gaylord Perry, John Smoltz, Trevor Hoffman
Yeico Miranda
Received Eli's vote last year but the emergence of Hayashi on the ballet, Miranda will have to wait. Similar to Hayashi, he spent 4 early seasons being used in 40% of the seasons games rather than closing, though he picked up a few saves those seasons.
Stat Chasers: 13 sub 3.00 ERA seasons (6 were sub 2.00), 6 easons of 30+ SV
Trophy Chasers: 10x All Star, 2x Fireman of the Year, 1x RotY, 1x World Series Ring
MLB (Monitor) Comparisons: Don Sutton, Ed Walsh, Tommy Bond
Eduardo Jose
Stat Chasers: 6 seasons of sub 3.00 ERA, 10 seasons of 30+ SV (3 were 40+)
Trophy Chasers: 7x All Star, 2x Fireman of the Year
MLB (Monitor) Comparisons: Catfish HUnter, Rollie Fingers, Andy Pettitte
Artie Stone
Stat Chasers: 5 seasons of sub 3.00 ERA, 5 seasons of 30+ SV (3 were 40+)
Trophy Chasers: 6x All Stair
MLB (Monitor) Comparisons: Jose Mesa, David Cone, Joe Nathan
There you go folks, S48 possible Hall of Famers. Let's see if anyone gets in this year!