[VanillaGorilla]

Out of 9 inductees in this class, John Smoltz is the only pitcher.

Smoltz was taken 5th overall by the Brewers in 2019.

He pitched through the 2043 season and compiled a record of 231-188 and an OOTP ERA of 3.61 (npa ERA+ 128...RL ERA+ 125). He ranks 10th on the career win list.

Smoltz fanned 3902 men (11th) in 3678 1/3 IP (10th, one slot behind Early Wynn). He also saved 78 games, twice saving 30+ in a season.

In 2026 he won 20 games vs 6 losses and had an OOTP ERA of 3.03 (npa ERA+ 149) and struck out 270 men in 229 IP. The Brewers were now located in Austin. He anchored the pitching staff for the WS winning Controllers. HOFers Hank Aaron, Duke Snider and Jackie Robinson were also on that team.

In 2032, now a NY Met, Smoltz won 16 games and again hoisted the WS trophy. Barry Bonds was a member of that team.

In 2034 Smoltz was now closing games for the Mets. He saved a career best 33 as he won his, cool, 3rd WS. Smoltz move to the bullpen coincided with the acquisition of Rube Waddell that off season. Barry Bonds was also on that team.

As a starter, Smoltz was 8-3 in the title run post seasons. As a closer, he notched 3 saves in 3 opportunities.

Smoltz ranks 51st all time with 41 CGs and ranks 56th all time with 9 shut outs.

A four time All Star, John Smoltz enters the HOF at the age of 52.

Black Ink: 9 (34)
Gray Ink: 178 (199)
HOFm: 132.2 (167)
HOFs: 41 (44)

Gorilla Composite: 2.7 (3.7)

Using this model and applying the standards to RL, John Smoltz should be inducted to the RL HOF when he becomes eligible.

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Fred Luderus was selected with the 8th overall pick by the Cincinnati Reds in the 2017 draft.

He broke in to the league by slashing 372/442/764 for a npa OPS+ of 217. He knocked 34 HR and drove in 87. He did this all before July began. A torn calf muscle ended his season on Jne 30. He was till honored with the Rookie of the Year for his efforts.

In 2019 he stayed healthy and continued with his HOF career by launching 62 HR and 40 doubles amongst 202 hits. He collected 173 RBI and scored 122 times. All of these numbers would be career highs. A slash line of 349/409/743 was a npa OPS+ of 200.

Luderus slashed 310/375/596 (t-49th, Bill Skowron/*/25th) for his career which ended following the 2035 season. This translates into a HOF stout 157 npa OPS+. He collected 1974 career hits, 443 HR (48th) and 1362 RBI (44th). He scored 1145 times (73rd) and hit 431 doubles (59th).

Luderus never made it to a WS.

He did make it to 9 All Star games. And he did make it to the HOF. At the age of 57, the 1B man gave his acceptance speech.

Black Ink: 18 (1)
Gray Ink: 122 (99)
HOFm: 158 (6)
HOFs: 47 (8)

Gorilla Composite: 3.5 (0.9)

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Dan O'Connor is the latest 'sleeper' pick to make the HOF. Chosen in the 3rd rd (there are 5rds worth of new players generated each season) of the 2023 draft by the Pirates, O'Connor played through the 2042 season and collected 2565 career hits (23rd, 1 spot ahead of Hans Lobert).

O'Connor enters the HOF in 4th place on the career stolen base list with 636 (one spot behind Hans Lobert). He led the league in SB twice, thieving a career high 71 in 2027.

His career slash line of 290/343/422 gives him a npa OPS+ of 107. O'Connor scored 1368 runs (t-26th, Hal Chase) and drove in 968. He had 598 career doubles (9th) and 60 career triples (44th).

In 2037, at the age of 33, O'Connor was a key piece in the (my!) Colorado Rockies winning the World Series. He is the first player from that team to be inducted here.

O'Connor made one All Star team. He enters the HOF at the age of 49.

Black Ink: 5
Gray Ink: 79
HOFm: 55.5
HOFs: 33

Gorilla Composite: 1.8

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Jimmy Rollins, John Smoltz, Eddie Yost, Fred Luderus, Mike Trout, Dan O'Connor and Bob Watson enter their 1st OOTP HOF.
Jose Canseco and John J McGraw enter their 2nd OOTP HOF.