Dale O'Hegarty: If BLB ends today; HOF or not?

[Lintyfresh85]

Going through some stats this morning... and I came across the case of Colonials SS Dale O'Hegarty.

O'Hegarty, now 32 years old, is a career .279/.386/.413/.799 hitter and third all time among SS with a wOBA of .357

Currently Dale has made six All-Star games and has won one gold glove.

If his career ended today, does he make the HOF?

I have some reservations, mainly...

- He's sixth all-time in games started at SS, yet he's only 13th in Fielding Win Score. To me, that indicates he's not that great with the glove... something I value you greatly in a SS.

- He's currently 58th all-time in hits

- 51st all-time in Runs Created/27 outs. Isn't that the whole point of the leadoff man, to create runs?

So, if the BLB ended today, is O'Hegarty a Hall of Famer?

[Pat]

If the BLB ended today: No.

If O'Hegarty continues to play for a few more years at this level: Absolutely.

[Lintyfresh85]

That's pretty much how I feel as well.

I think if he holds up through his age 35 season, he should be a lock.

[Clay]

If the BLB ended today: No.

If O'Hegarty continues to play for a few more years at this level: Absolutely.

THis.

Today = No

If he plays at a similar level till the end of his contract = Yes

[Lintyfresh85]

But that's the thing... he's only going to get older... so his rate stats are going to drop as younger players in their prime increase their career averages.

I think his totals will end up pretty high on the list... but a lot of his rate stats are already average... so they can't really afford to drop much further than what they already are.

[Pat]

But that's the thing... he's only going to get older... so his rate stats are going to drop as younger players in their prime increase their career averages.

I think his totals will end up pretty high on the list... but a lot of his rate stats are already average... so they can't really afford to drop much further than what they already are.

Looks like he is losing a bit of that speed too...not the best SB/CS ratio...

[Clay]

But he had a career year in multiple categories last season. I contend that he should, if healthy, pile up stats over the next 2-3 seasons just by virtue of the lineup he's in. He's officially moved/moving out of the lead-off spot and should settle into the #2. In fact, since I moved him, he's all over the bases.

I agree that he's getting caught stealing more... but... if you watch the games (yeah... sadly I do)... he's getting caught stealing 3rd more often than 2nd. He's getting on-base, Chavez or Woodbury get on behind him and they're double-stealing.

All that being said... when the time comes for him to hit the ballot... I expect to have to pitch him hard. He'll get some backlash because he's mine and I'm me... but I think if he hovers around 160-180 hits, 100 R, .400 OBP for the next 3-4 seasons... he'll eventually make the Hall.

[Z]

The fielding metrics we have at our disposal suggest that he is a poor defender and has been below average, at best, for some time.

Despite that, he's probably the best SS in league history, so he would get my vote.

[Clay]

O'Hegarty has been nothing short of great since this thread popped up. Yes, I know, the two aren't connected. It just happened that within days of this thread I finally conceded and moved O'Hegarty out of the lead-off spot into a more natural #2 behind Daly and in-front of Chavez. He's been fantastic the last 5-6 SIMs.

[Pat]

I don't have the game handy, but is he asking to hit leadoff?

[Clay]

I don't have the game handy, but is he asking to hit leadoff?

No, he's been asking to hit "Middle of the Lineup" for a couple seasons... but I liked Chavez in the 2-3... and Daly wasn't ready... so I kind of forced him into staying in the 1. Daly has cut his K's enough to lead-off now.