Former New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter, inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2020, is celebrated as one of the greatest shortstops in the history of baseball. He accomplished this feat as a first-ballot inductee, achieving numerous accolades throughout his distinguished career, including five World Series championships, all with the Yankees. Jeter has influenced many current MLB players, who grew up idolizing him and aspiring to mirror his illustrious career.
One player who is beginning to attract attention in a similar light is New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor. Although Lindor has yet to win a World Series, he has been making strides in Queens that suggest he is on a path to potential Hall of Fame recognition. Recently, he reached the impressive milestone of accumulating 50.8 Wins Above Replacement (WAR) over his 11-year career, marking him as one of the standout players in the league.
This benchmark is particularly significant as Jeter was the last shortstop to surpass 50 WAR before Lindor. Historically, each of the six shortstops to reach this threshold is already enshrined in the Hall of Fame. Lindor, at just 31 years old and still delivering MVP-caliber performances, is poised to exceed the widely regarded 60-WAR mark, which is seen as indicative of Hall of Fame potential.
The method of measuring WAR evaluates a player’s overall contributions to their team, factoring in offensive and defensive performances relative to a replacement-level player at their position. Shortstop is considered one of the premier roles in baseball, and Lindor excels in various aspects of the game including batting, fielding, and baserunning, which reinforces his value.
While Lindor has yet to secure a World Series title—something that greatly enhanced Jeter’s legacy—he played a pivotal role in the 2024 Mets’ journey to the National League Championship Series and continues to demonstrate remarkable skills on the field. The 2025 season has begun promisingly, and should Lindor lead the Mets to a championship, it could solidify his standing as one of the all-time greats in baseball history.
With his ongoing efforts and determination, there remains a hopeful outlook for Lindor as he aims to bring a championship to New York and perhaps further his legacy in the annals of baseball.