Phillies: Examining Hall of Fame cases for the next four years

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PHOENIX – JULY 29: Outfielder Shane Victorino #8 of the Philadelphia Phillies makes a diving catch against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the first inning of the Major League Baseball game at Chase Field July 29, 2009 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

Potential 2021 HOF candidates

After years of great players coming across the Hall of Fame ballot, the logjam is beginning to crack and float away. There are (very likely) no first ballot candidates from the 2021 freshman class, which features Mark Buehrle, Tim Hudson, and Torii Hunter as the only players with WARs between 50-60.

Here are the former Phillies who will be eligible to be on the ballot, though they are not guaranteed.

Shane Victorino

A fan favorite in Philadelphia and a guaranteed Wall of Fame candidate, Shane Victorino has a career slashline of .275/.340/.425 with 1,274 hits, 108 home runs, and 231 stolen bases. He took home four Gold Gloves, made two All-Star games, and won a World Series in Philadelphia and Boston.

Victorino’s career was a nice one, but you can say Aloha (the goodbye version) to his chances of making the Hall of Fame.

A.J. Burnett

The 17-season veteran starter had a good, but not great career between the Blue Jays, Yankees, Phillies, Pirates, and Marlins. A.J. Burnett won 164 games, but finished just seven games above .500 for his career.

OAKLAND, CA – SEPTEMBER 21: A.J. Burnett #34 of the Philadelphia Phillies pitches against the Oakland Athletics in the bottom of the first inning at O.co Coliseum on September 21, 2014 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

He made only one All-Star game (in his final season), although he did strike out 2,513 batters.

Unfortunately, the strikeouts are just about all Burnett can hang his hat on statistically. He won no more than 14 games just twice in his long career and his 2014 season with the Phillies is one of the worst statistical seasons in franchise history. He led the league with 18 losses, 109 earned runs allowed, and 96 walks given up.

Not a Hall of Famer, by far.

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