My 2020 Mock Hall of Fame ballot: Former Red Sox players get the call

Borderline Calls

With two spots remaining on my ballot, I went with two players who won’t get into the Hall of Fame this year but warranted some recognition.

Jeff Kent‘s overall numbers may not stand out as Cooperstown-caliber but they are more appealing when viewed through the lens of second basemen. Kent’s 377 home runs are the second most all-time at his position. His 56.0 fWAR is 19th among second basemen and he’s in the top-25 at the position with a career 123 wRC+ and .367 wOBA.

The five-time All-Star and four-time Silver Slugger won an MVP and finished top-10 on the ballot on three other occasions. Kent was a strong run producer at a premium defensive position that typically isn’t associated with big bats.

Relievers often don’t get the credit they deserve due to their limited workload but the very best to have ever served in that role should be considered for the Hall of Fame. Billy Wagner is certainly in that class.

Wagner’s 422 career saves rank sixth all-time. His 2.31 ERA is fifth among relievers with a minimum of 300 career innings and his 11.93 K/9 is 12th. Wagner’s 24.0 fWAR is the sixth-highest career total compiled by a reliever. All five relievers ahead of him on that list are already in the Hall of Fame. Wagner should join them soon enough.