A former Atlanta Braves All-Star has achieved a new kind of immortality—this time online. Shortstop Andrelton Simmons has officially been elected to the MLB Hall of Pretty Good, earning 92% of more than 41,000 votes in the fan-driven contest that wrapped up Thursday.
The Hall’s official X (formerly Twitter) account announced Simmons’ induction, welcoming him “into the inner circle” of standout players who never quite reached Cooperstown—but still left a lasting mark on the game.
A defensive wizard and Braves fan favorite
Simmons, known across baseball for his wizardry at shortstop, played his first four MLB seasons with Atlanta from 2012–2015, where he earned two Gold Gloves and dazzled fans nightly with highlight-reel plays.
After being traded to the Los Angeles Angels, he spent five more seasons out west, adding two more Gold Gloves in 2017 and 2018. Simmons later played brief stints with the Minnesota Twins and Chicago Cubs before retiring after the 2022 season.
Through his 10-year career, Simmons posted a 36.5 career WAR (per FanGraphs through 2022), comfortably under the Hall of Pretty Good’s eligibility cap.
Inside the Hall of Pretty Good
The Hall of Pretty Good was created by Bryce Whitlow, a 23-year-old paraeducator from Sunapee, New Hampshire. Whitlow started the concept to honor players who were exceptional—but not quite at the Hall of Fame tier.
His project has grown into a cult-favorite corner of baseball fandom, amassing 36,000 followers on X and over 162,000 on Instagram, where the voting takes place.
Whitlow enforces a “Harold Baines Meter,” capping eligible players at a bWAR of 38.6—just below Baines’ 38.8 mark as the lowest WAR total in Cooperstown. Players must also:
- Have no MVP or Cy Young Awards
- Not be in the actual Hall of Fame
- Be retired (or inactive) for at least three years
That means players like Charlie Morton could one day qualify—provided he retires and remains below the threshold. Others, like Matt Olson (bWAR 39.8) or Ronald Acuña Jr. (disqualified by his 2023 MVP), already exceed the “Pretty Good” line.
A new Braves connection to a digital tradition
With Simmons’ election, Braves fans have a new connection to the online Hall of Pretty Good’s growing roster of beloved ex-players. His induction recognizes not only elite defense, but the enduring affection Atlanta fans still have for the shortstop who once anchored the left side of their infield.
Going forward, The Braves Desk will track all future former Braves inducted into the Hall of Pretty Good—and the growing community celebrating baseball’s best who fell just shy of Cooperstown.
