The 2023 Baseball Hall of Fame class will be revealed Tuesday (6 p.m. ET on MLB Network).
But will anyone join Fred McGriff, who was chosen unanimously by the 16-member Contemporary Era panel in December, at this summer’s induction ceremony? There is a good chance that no one will be elected by the Baseball Writers Association of America for the second time in three years. It happened in 2021.
Of the 28 former players — 14 first-timers — on the ballot this year, Scott Rolen has the highest percentage of votes on all ballots in 2022 at 63.2%. This year he won 79% of the vote, according to ballot papers that have been revealed publicly Ryan Thibaudoux Hall of Fame Polling Trackeralthough this number should decrease by at least 5% when all votes are revealed.
A player needs 75% of the vote to be elected. Those who get less than five percent drop from the ballot papers.
A look at some of the candidates on the ballot and their Hall of Fame case.
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Sure, if you go strictly by performance and hardware, Rodriguez is a no-brainer. Why, if not for a drug suspension, and for another season or two, he could have been the all-time king of baseball.
“Considering Rodriguez revealed he used PEDs over several seasons, was one of 15 players suspended from buying PEDs in the infamous Biogenesis case, how could he get in when Bonds and Clemens aren’t?”
– Bob Nightingale
Statistically or purely aesthetically, Beltran was one of the game’s most talented players, certainly of his era and by some measures of all time. Beltran hit 435 home runs and stole 312 bases, one of only five in the 400-300 club.
“The odds are certainly in his favor. Beltran’s biography should progress well, and the punitive votes against him for his sign-stealing role recede over time.”
Gabe Lakes
Rolen hits consistent power and can play the hot corner. His eight Gold Glove Awards behind Brooks Robinson (16), Mike Schmidt (10) and Nolan Arenado (10) are among third basemen in MLB history. He is also one of 15 players to win eight At least Gold Glove awards.
“It looks good for Rollin. This is his sixth time on the ballot, and given the momentum he’s had in the past few years and continues to have, he’ll be honored in Cooperstown.”
– Scott Book
For five years from 2000 to 2004, Helton was one of the absolute best players in baseball. He was named to the NL All-Star Team in each of those seasons — winning four Silver Players, three Gold Gloves and a batting title along the way, occupying the replacement he won. His 37.5 wins over that period ranks third in the majors after Barry Bonds and Alex Rodriguez.
But would Hilton have been such a great player if he hadn’t played all of his home games at 5,280 feet above sea level? of 1,000 major league games. On the road, he put up a less impressive, but still respectable .855 OPS.”
– Steve Gardner
Jones is one of only four players to have won 10 Gold Gloves with 400 home runs in a career. The others are Willie Mays, Mike Schmidt and Ken Griffey Jr. The defensive quarterback’s 24.2 from 1998-2007 was the best in the game with the Hall of Famer at Future Scott Rolen’s 15.1s isn’t too close. In that stretch, Jones’ 57.6 WAR total was third in baseball behind Alex Rodriguez and Barry Bonds.
“Jones may have to push hard until his last(s) appearance on the ballot, but it’s hard to imagine his momentum not reaching 75%.”
– Jesse Yumtoff
A World Series-winning phenom for the Anaheim Angels at age 20, whose slider quickly earned him the nickname K-Rod, Rodriguez’s five wins shortly after his 2002 debut are tied only by Randy Johnson and Stephen Strasburg.
His 62 attempts in 2008 holds the single-season record, and his 437 career saves rank fourth all-time as the Veterans Hall of Famer Lee Smith committee separates him from Rivera and Hoffman.
– Lakes
One of the most fearsome hitters ever to step into the batter’s box, Gary Sheffield’s ferocious bat wobble and fierce swing indicated his goal wasn’t just to make contact with the baseball. He wanted to smash it.
That’s exactly what he did for 22 seasons after hitting the majors in 1988 at the age of 19. The #6 pick in the 1986 draft by the Milwaukee Brewers, Sheffield hit 2,683 hits and missed 509 home runs over the course of his career. But unlike Most power hitters, he had terrific plate discipline, walking more times than he hit.”
– Gardner
One of the most consistent players on five World Series teams, Andy Pettitti is entering his fifth year of being inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame, making an interesting case as a New York Yankees legend – and certified user of performance-enhancing drugs.
“Pettitte holds the all-time playoff records with 19 playoff wins and 44 game starts, helping the Yankees win it all in 1996, ’98, ’99, 2000 and ’09—his latest episode coming after a stint with the Houston Astros.”
– Yumtov
Kent, his career . 290 batters, holds the all-time record for most home runs by a second baseman with 351 (of 377). That’s more than Hall of Famers Ryne Sandberg (277), Joe Morgan (266) and Rogers Hornsby (265).
This is his tenth and final year on the ballot and the votes are not up. However, Kent must be a strong candidate when eligible to participate on the 2026 Contemporary Game Era Commission ballot.
– book
Billy Wagner (8th year)
Trevor Hoffman’s extrapolation seems to have opened the door for Wagner, the lefty flame-thrower who ranks sixth on the all-time save list. He’s sure to be in before his time in the poll is up, a notable uptick in the 10.5 debut closers in the poll. Only % of the vote in 2016.”
– Yumtov
