The 2023 Baseball Hall of Fame class will be revealed Tuesday (6 p.m. ET. MLB Network).
But will anyone be joining Fred McGriff, who was a unanimous selection by the 16-member Contemporary Era’s Committee in December, at this summers induction ceremony? There is a good possibility 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 received the highest percentage of votes on all ballots cast in 2022 with 63.2%. This year he has received 79% of the votes, according to the publicly revealed ballots listed in Ryan Thibodaux’s Hall of Fame Ballot Tracker, although that figure should drop by at least 5% when all of the votes are revealed.
A player needs 75% of the vote to be elected. Those who get below five percent fall off the ballot.
A look at some of the candidates on the ballot and their Hall of Fame case.
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Certainly, if you go strictly by the performance and hardware, Rodriguez is a no-brainer. Why, if not for the drug suspension, and one or two more seasons, he could have been baseball’s all-time home run king.
“Considering Rodriguez revealed that he used PEDs during several seasons, was one of 15 players suspended from purchasing PEDs in the infamous Biogenesis case, how in the world can he get in when Bonds and Clemens aren’t?”
– Bob Nightengale
“Statistically or purely from an aesthetic standpoint, Beltran was one of the game’s most talented players, certainly within his era and by some measures of all time. Beltran hit 435 home runs and stole 312 bases, one of just five in the 400-300 club.
“The odds are certainly in his favor. Beltran’s resume should age nicely, and punitive votes against him for his sign-stealing role figure to recede as time goes on.”
– Gabe Lacques
“Rolen hit with consistent power and could flat out play the hot corner. His eight Gold Glove Awards trail only Brooks Robinson (16), Mike Schmidt (10) and Nolan Arenado (10) among third basemen in MLB history. He is also one of 15 infielders ever to win at least eight Gold Glove Awards.
“It’s looking good for Rolen. This is the sixth time he’s been on the ballot, and given the momentum he’s seen the past few years and continues to get, he will be enshrined in Cooperstown. “
– Scott Boeck
“For a five-year period from 2000-04, Helton was…