Forget the Cy Young Award, Kershaw is Already Hall Worthy
Sep 8, 2015 by Adam Darowski
Clayton Kershaw will take the mound for the Dodgers tonight against Anaheim, but from here on out it’s all icing on the cake for the southpaw.
Last time out, Kershaw threw a complete game, allowing a run on six hits (while collecting a hit of his own) and fanning fifteen Giants. The performance brought his 2015 WAR to 6.3 and his WAA to 4.8 (he also added another 0.1 WAR at the plate). It also happened to bring his career Hall Rating to 100.338—officially making him Hall-worth in the eyes of the Hall of Stats.
It’s quite remarkable that Kershaw crossed the borderline at just 27. That’s a year before Cy Young, Roger Clemens, Tom Seaver, and Pedro Martinez exceeded a 100 Hall Rating. Greg Maddux didn’t join the club until age 29.
Kershaw entered 2015 ranked 4th on the Active and Close list with an 86 Hall Rating. Mets 3B David Wright began the year on the doorstep with a 97 Hall Rating. Injuries have held him back and it would take an impressive September for him to cross the line this season. Mark Teixeira started the year with an 88 Hall Rating and is having his best season since his first campaign in pinstripes. While he now sits above 95, he’ll need another strong year in 2016 to cross the line. Kershaw’s fellow moundsman Felix Hernandez entered 2015 at 87. Despite a strong win-loss record, Hernandez his having one of his weakest seasons. His Hall Rating is closing in on 93 rather than 100.
Because I know you’re curious…
- Mike Trout has brought his Hall Rating from 61 to 78, passing 14 more Hall of Famers in the process.
- Meanwhile, Bryce Harper has increased his from 18 to 38, passing his first two Hall of Famers along the way.
Finally, maybe this one snuck up on you like it snuck up on me… Zack Greinke started the season with a Hall Rating of 79. His unbelievable season—on the hill and supplemented at the plate—has brought him all the way to 97 (not including last night’s start).