Minnesota Twins: Top 5 Twins that aren’t in the Hall of Fame

Puckett’s Pond takes a look at the five best Minnesota Twins players that aren’t enshrined in the Hall of Fame and what their chances of making it are.

With the Hall of Fame Induction ceremony of Derek Jeter and Larry Walker moved back to 2021, the two Hall of Famers will have to wait a year longer before making it into Cooperstown. Unfortunately several Minnesota Twins have been waiting even longer.

In order to make this list, a player needs to have played primarily with the Twins and have made a real impact on the team. In addition to that, the player needs have a respectable seven-year peak (an important Hall measure) and to already be Hall of Fame eligible (sorry Joe Mauer, Torii Hunter, and Joe Nathan). With that in mind, let’s get into it.

No. 5: Minnesota Twins’ Johan Santana

Years on Ballot: 1

Key Hall of Fame Numbers:

Black Ink
  Pitching – 42 (38), Average HOFer ≈ 40

Starting Pitcher (81st):
    51.7 career WAR / 45.0 7yr-peak WAR / 48.3 JAWS
  Average HOF P (out of 65):
    73.3 career WAR / 50.0 7yr-peak WAR / 61.6 JAWS

The fact that Johan Santana was only on 2.8% of Hall of Fame Ballots was criminal. His numbers were fairly close to Hall of Fame level, and he was better than most Hall of Famers in Black Ink, a category that shows how often you were a league leader.

Despite how good he was, for his time with the Twins and New York Mets, his injuries ultimately cost him his what was poised to be an excellent career. Either way, he deserved better after posting very solid numbers.

However, due to his peak being shorter than some other greats and so many players on the list ahead of him, it doesn’t seem likely that Santana will ever make it to Cooperstown. His only chance is if the Today’s Game Veteran’s Committee elects him in thirty years. It’s a low chance.

Chance of Making the Hall of Fame: 1%