Rich’s Power Rankings: Top 10 Current MLB Players Who are Hall of Fame Locks

Rich rolled out a Power Rankings on the show that, by his own framing, felt borderline irresponsible to even attempt. Surefire active baseball Hall of Famers. Ten of them. Power ranked.

This is one of those lists where the criteria are loose by design. Rich invoked WAR, noted that 60 is the rough Hall of Fame threshold, and made it clear that gut feel was doing real work. With that disclaimer in place, he started counting down.

Number 10 was Manny Machado, a player Rich admitted it kills him to put on the list. He is going to clear 400 home runs, probably this season. His WAR coming into the year sat at 57.3. He has also been, in Rich's words, infuriating to watch. "He just does stupid stuff." Still on the list. Still a Hall of Famer in Rich's read.

Number 9 was Freddie Freeman, with a WAR pushing 65. "Triple Freddie Freeman is going to be a surefire Hall of Famer." The room agreed. He is also, Rich noted, not the only Dodger on the list.

Number 8 went to Jose Ramirez, a player Rich described as one of the best to ever play for his franchise and one of the best in baseball right now who never gets the conversation he deserves because he plays in Cleveland. Six straight top 10 MVP finishes. About to cross 300 home runs and 300 stolen bases. WAR at 58 and a half. "He's a first ballot Hall of Famer as the day is long."

Number 7 was Juan Soto, with the room mildly outraged he was that low. Rich's defense was that Soto is 27, three shy of 250 home runs, with a 43 WAR already, and his statistical comp through age 26 includes Frank Robinson and Ken Griffey Jr. The room thought he should be number two. Rich held his number.

Number 6 was Mookie Betts, with the resume to back it. Four World Series rings. Eight All-Star nods. Seven Silver Sluggers. Six Gold Gloves. Three WAR titles. A batting title. "He's great at any sport he tries."

The top five is where Rich got loud. Number 5 was Mike Trout. "First ballot Hall of Famer, have a conversation." The room thought it was low. Rich agreed it was a defensible argument and kept moving.

Number 4 was Aaron Judge. Rich called him better than Trout right now. The room pushed back. Rich did not budge. "I did I stutter?"

Number 3 was Max Scherzer, with a 73.5 WAR coming into the season. Rich made the case directly. The average Hall of Famer WAR is 60. Scherzer is well past that. "Foregone conclusion."

Number 2 was Justin Verlander, who is still going.

Number 1 was Shohei Ohtani. "A unicorn. We'll be talking about him. Our kids are talking about him. Their kids are talking about him. Their kids' kids will be talking about him." Rich noted that for the rest of the names on the list, you can probably argue we will see someone similar at some point. With Ohtani, you cannot.

The room kicked around the names just outside. Bryce Harper as a swap for Machado. Stanton. Goldschmidt. Salvador Perez. Ronald Acuna Jr. Acuna got knocked for injury history. Goldschmidt's numbers, Rich said, are 100 percent in the mix.

Ten names, one trophy case waiting in Cooperstown.