The Case for the Hall of Fame: Framber Valdez

Thomas Shea-Imagn Images

Tom Glavine, Randy Johnson, Steve Carlton, and Clayton Kershaw. What do these names have in common? These are some of the names of left-handed starting pitchers throughout MLB history with career stats of:

• At least 970+ Career strikeouts
• At least 1 WS ring
• Career ERA below 5.0

(Credit to: Baseball reference, Ballpark Savvy https://copilot.microsoft.com/shares/UpgqyveXwa7n6W9Kqaq5m

)

As of June of 2025, we can now add Framber to that list, with his most recent performance against the Cubs(6/29), adding 6 more K’s and 6 more IP to his resume, along with moving into the top

10 all-time in Astros history with 974 K’s, passing Darryl Kile.

Now, that aforementioned list referenced earlier? That list included multiple residents of Cooperstown, with Kershaw being well on his way. Am I saying that Framber is The Big Unit? No. Am I saying that he and Kershaw are equals? Not necessarily. But what I am saying is that Framber, for all of his quirks, is slowly submitting the kind of career that should at least get the conversation started. I even conducted a survey of Astros fans on X recently where the question was asked, if Framber wins another WS, is he a Hall of Famer? Here were the results:

(Found on 713Sportstalk X account: https://x.com/713SportsTalk/status/1939437625036718159?t=qBVlcLzg4c8MNcjVatC6Ow&s=19)

At 30 years old, his career so far looks like:

• 8 years of service
• Career ERA of 3.24
• 997.2 IP
• .631 Winning %
• 9 CG
• 1.188 WHIP, with multiple years of Cy-Young and MVP consideration (20’, 22’-24’)

(Credit to Baseball reference: https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/v/valdefr01.shtml)

While not ironclad, Framber has increasingly shown a reliability and dominance that he struggled to show early in his career. His steadiness and ability to devour innings have become a staple of his game now, and with 6-8 more years of runway possibly left to add to his portfolio, who’s to say that a place with the all-time greats is off the table?

In fact, just for giggles, how about some modest hypothetical projections of a possible 15+ career for Framber? According to ChatGPT:

(Reference link: https://chatgpt.com/s/t_686d571f3eec819193a7ca7f199cc396 )

While the projections wouldn’t have him clearing the likes of Warren Spahn, Greg Maddux, or Lefty Grove in terms of historical impact or high usage, we’d have to adjust for inflation due to the major shift in Sports health ideology, analytics, and trying to preserve guys for the long haul of 162. Guys just aren’t being pitched like they used to be, but even great enough sample sizes can change or help the narrative. His HOF selling points could be categories like winning %, WHIP, and championships, but it remains to be seen what the BBWAA would have to say and consider on that day.

I say, ‘La Grasa’ has a decent shot of making it very interesting.

Clayton Anderson / Houston Sports Fan since 08’

• Christian, Husband, Father, Eater of gumbo
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