One potential Hall of Famer on every American League team

Only a few games into the Major League Baseball season, many players have sparkled on the diamond. But what player on each team has displayed long-term greatness (or potential long-term greatness) good enough to be considered a candidate for the Hall of Fame?

Here, Yardbarker MLB writers select one player on every American League team who fits the category (or potentially could). 

Statistics are through Sunday's games.

AL East 

BALTIMORE ORIOLES | Catcher Adley Rutschman | As Rutschman goes so go the Orioles, who have a .573 winning percentage since the 27-year-old catcher debuted in 2022. He’s the quintessential example of a franchise cornerstone (note his two home runs on Opening Day), and as a catcher, his path to the Hall of Fame would face less resistance than players at other positions. 

BOSTON RED SOX | 3B Alex Bregman | Bregman is likely on his way to the Hall of Fame, so this was an easy call. The 31-year-old third baseman, who signed in Boston in the offseason after nine years with the Houston Astros, is a two-time All-Star, two-time World Series champion and has a Gold Glove and Silver Slugger awards.

NEW YORK YANKEES | OF Aaron Judge | Another strong future Hall of Fame candidate, Judge has already made history with the New York Yankees, most notably setting the American League season home-run record with 62 long balls in 2022 (and he has a three-homer game already in 2025). When he's done, Judge could be one of the more prolific sluggers in MLB history, not just in Yankees history.

TAMPA BAY RAYS | 3B Junior Caminero | Caminero is all projection at this point, with a limited sample size of big-league playing time (209 at-bats) with the Rays. However, scouts have raved about his hitting profile, with one noting that “[Caminero’s] offensive traits and mature feel for what he’s doing in the batter’s box paint the picture of a potentially special bat.” 

TORONTO BLUE JAYS | RHP Max Scherzer | Only fellow right-hander Justin Verlander of the San Francisco Giants is as much of a lock for the Hall of Fame as Scherzer (216-112 record, 3.16 ERA), who may not even remain a Blue Jay for the entire season if Toronto plays poorly. Regardless, though, the Blue Jays will be only a brief mention on Scherzer’s Cooperstown plaque. — Seth Carlson

AL West 

ATHLETICS | RHP Mason Miller | There is a great deal of extrapolation with Miller, but he has dominated in the A’s bullpen. He posted a stellar 2.49 ERA and a 0.877 WHiP in his 65 innings in 2024, notching 28 saves and striking out 104. If he stays healthy, Miller could punch a ticket to Cooperstown. 

HOUSTON ASTROS | 2B/LF Jose Altuve | A nine-time All-Star and the 2017 AL MVP, the 34-year-old is a lock for the Hall of Fame. The only question is whether or not he will reach the 3,000-hit plateau; Altuve is signed through 2029 and already has 2,237 hits. 

LOS ANGELES ANGELS | OF Mike Trout | Despite the injuries in recent years, Trout is a slam-dunk Hall of Famer. An 11-time All-Star and three-time AL MVP, he ranks 51st all time with 86.0 bWAR, better than Hall of Famers Ken Griffey Jr, Reggie Jackson and Derek Jeter. 

SEATTLE MARINERS | CF Julio Rodriguez | Rodriguez is one of the more exciting young players in the majors, a power-and-speed threat who should be Seattle's next superstar. A two-time All-Star who posted a 30-homer/30-steal season in 2023, Rodriguez is set to be part of the next generation of transcendent talents in the majors. 

TEXAS RANGERS | SS Corey Seager | Pitcher Jacob deGrom has an interesting case, but Seager is building a more traditional Hall of Fame resume. A five-time All-Star and two-time World Series MVP, he could finish his career with more than 2,000 hits (he has 1,154 now) and close to 400 homers (he has 200), impressive totals for a shortstop. — David Hill

AL Central 

CHICAGO WHITE SOX | SP Noah Schultz | Schultz has just 16 appearances above A-ball, so there is a massive deal of projection with this pick. However, the White Sox have done well with similar pitchers (Chris Sale, Garrett Crochet), and the consensus top-100 prospect has dominated as a pro.

CLEVELAND GUARDIANS | 3B Jose Ramirez | Ramirez may be the most anonymous superstar in Major League Baseball. A six-time All-Star, he is on pace to become the ninth player in MLB history with 300 homers and 300 steals in his career. 

DETROIT TIGERS | SP Tarik Skubal | Skubal had his long-awaited breakout campaign in 2024, winning the AL Cy Young award with a 2.39 ERA and a 0.922 WHiP in 192 innings, striking out 228 with 35 walks. He has a long way to go before Cooperstown will come calling, but he has the potential to be one of the best starting pitchers in baseball for years to come. 

KANSAS CITY ROYALS | SS Bobby Witt Jr. | Catcher Salvador Perez has an interesting Hall of Fame case, but Witt may have an easier path. An All-Star in 2024, he became the first shortstop with two 30- homer/30-steal seasons in MLB history, doing so just three years into his MLB career. 

MINNESOTA TWINS | SS Carlos Correa | The Twins have several players with Hall of Fame-caliber talent but significant health questions. Correa is a three-time All-Star, won the 2021 AL Gold Glove at short and is tied for fifth among active players with 13.4 dWAR. If he stays healthy, the 30-year-old Correa has time to build a Hall of Fame career. — David Hill