In this post, BBRT will share:<\/p>\n ––PARTICIPATE IN BASEBALL ROUNDTABLE’S\u00a0 2023 FANS’ HALL OF FAME BALLOT—<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Baseball Roundtable is once again conducting an unofficial fan ballot – to cast your vote(s), click here.\u00a0 \u00a0Remember, you can vote for up to ten of the nominees for 2023 induction.\u00a0 If you want to read through the nominees’ bios first, there is another link to the BBRT Fan Ballot following the bios (near the end of this post).\u00a0 BBRT will be providing updates on the fan balloting, as well as a post-election comparison of fan votes as compared to the final BBWAA results.\u00a0 Voting on the BBRT Fan Ballot will remain open until January 2, 2023.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Also, if you leave your email address in the Contact Info section at the end of the ballot, you will be entered in a bobblehead and baseball card “surprise-prize” drawing.\u00a0 You will find a link to the ballot after the biographies.\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n To skip the post and go directly to the fan ballot, click here.\u00a0\u00a0<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n As you consider this year\u2019s slate of candidates, BBRT would stress that all<\/strong> <\/em>the players on the ballot – even those who remain for only one voting cycle – deserve recognition. To rise to the major leagues, last ten years and make it past the Hall of Fame Screening Committee is a significant accomplishment in itself.\u00a0 In fact, the annual ballot release is a highlight for Baseball Roundtable, as it provides a chance to acknowledge the accomplishments of all the candidates \u2013 not just the favorites for election.\u00a0 For example, a review of the ballot gives us the opportunity to honor Matt Cain’s perfect game;\u00a0 Jered Weaver’s no-hitter; Jacob Ellsbury’s 30-30 season; Andre Ethier’s 30-game hitting streak; John Lackey’s two World Series-clinching wins; Bronson Arroyo’s nine straight seasons of 30+ starts; and much more.<\/p>\n Now on to the official 2023 Baseball Hall of Fame election process itself – and, then, a look at the players on the ballot for 2023.<\/p>\n BASEBALL HALL OF FAME ELIGIBILITY\/CRITERIA FOR ELECTION<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n The basic rules for eligibility are that a player must have played at least ten seasons and be retired for at least five years. In addition, the player must be approved for the ballot by the Hall of Fame Screening Committee.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n A player can remain on the ballot for up to ten years, but must receive at least five percent of the vote in the preceding year\u2019s ballot to remain on the ballot.\u00a0 Each voter can vote for up to ten candidates.\u00a0 Election requires that a player be named on at least 75 percent of the ballots cast.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n The criteria for election: “Voting shall be based upon the player’s record, playing ability, integrity, sportsmanship, character, and contributions to the team(s) on which the player played.”<\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n A few of preliminary comments.<\/p>\n Baseball Roundtable thinks a shutout is very possible this year. The candidates I would rank with the best chance for election appear to be Scott Rolen, Carlos Beltran and\u00a0 Francisco Rodriguez (in that order).\u00a0 Now, let’s take a look at how BBRT would vote if I had a ballot; and, along the way, the bios of these year\u2019s candidates.<\/span><\/p>\n Again, to jump directly to the ballot itself, click here<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n — PLAYERS WHO WOULD GET BBRT\u2019S VOTE \u2026<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Jeff Kent – (Second Base\/Third Base\/First Base, 1992-2008) …\u00a0 Tenth (final)\u00a0 year on the ballot, 32.7 percent last year.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Kent was a five-time All Star and the 2000 NL MVP.\u00a0 As primarily a middle infielder, he hit 20 or more home runs in 12 seasons (a high of 37 in 2007) and topped 100 RBI eight times. He hit .276, with nine home runs and 23 RBI in 49 post-season games.<\/p>\n Running with the Big Boys …<\/strong><\/p>\n Jeff Kent has more career runs batted in (1,509 in 17 seasons) than such noted Hall of Famers (who played a comparable number of seasons) as Mickey Mantle (1,508 in 18 seasons), Billy Williams (1,475 in 18 seasons), Eddie Mathews 1,453 in 17 seasons), Duke Snider (1,333 in 18 seasons) and Orlando Cepeda (1,365 in 17 seasons). Not bad for a middle infielder.<\/strong><\/p>\n Kent has the credentials, but BBRT has a hunch the writers may keep him on the bench \u2013 a couple of Gold Gloves, at this traditionally defense-oriented position, would have really helped his case.\u00a0 Kent played for the Blue Jays (1992), Mets (1992-1996), Indians (1996), Giants (1997-2002), Astros (2003-2004) and Dodgers (2005-2008).<\/p>\n Jeff Kent\u2019s Best Season:<\/strong> With the Giants in 2000, Kent put up these stats – 159 games; 196 hits; .334 average; 33 home runs; 125 RBI; 114 runs; 12 steals. His performance earned him the NL MVP Award.<\/p>\n Kent gets BBRT’s vote – and I believe the BBWAA’s support is overdue (but not forthcoming).\u00a0 This is one HOF \u201csnub\u201d that somewhat confuses BBRT.\u00a0 (Over the past three ballots, Kent has moved from 27.5 percent to 32.7 percent. The odds are against him.<\/p>\n _________<\/p>\n Todd Helton – (First Base, 1997-2013) … Fifth year on the ballot, 52.0 percent last year.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Helton was a five-time All Star, three-time Gold Glover and four-time Silver Slugger. He hit over .300 in 12 seasons \u2013 and won the NL batting crown in 2000 with a .372 average. His 59 doubles that season are tied for the seventh-most all-time. Helton drove in 100 or more runs in five seasons and scored in triple figures six times. His 1,335 walks (38th all-time) indicate the respect he earned at the plate.\u00a0 Helton also ranks fifth in games played at first base, third in career assists at the position, 13th in putouts and third in double plays.<\/p>\n 400 Rocks<\/strong><\/p>\n Todd Helton is one of only 18 players to reach 400 or more total bases in a season \u2013 and one of only seven players to have multiple 400+ total base campaigns. He is also one of only 12 players with 100 or more extra-base hits in a season; one of only three with multiple seasons with at least 100 extra-base hits and the only player with consecutive seasons of 100 or more extra-base hits (2000-2001).<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n Todd Helton\u2019s Best Season:<\/strong> In 2000, Helton won the NL batting crown with a .372 average \u2013 and also led the league in base hits (216), doubles (59), RBI (147), on-base percentage (.463), slugging percentage (.698) and total bases (405).\u00a0 He also scored 138 runs and hit 42 home runs.<\/p>\n Helton will stay on the ballot and has a chance at entry into the HOF \u2013 he\u2019s just not likely to overcome the Coors Field-bias in this year’s voting – the jump from 52 percent may just be too far.\u00a0 \u00a0He gets BBRT’s vote (as he has in the past).<\/p>\n Francisco Rodriguez – (RHP, 2002-17) –\u00a0 First Year on the Ballot.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Photo: Toasterb at the English language Wikipedia project, CC BY-SA 3.0 <http:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/3.0\/>, via Wikimedia Commons<\/p><\/div>\n Francisco Rodriguez played in 16 MLB seasons (2002-17 … Angels, Mets, Brewers, Orioles, Tigers). He went 52-53, 2.86 with 437 saves (fourth all-time) in 948 mound appearances (21st all-time).<\/p>\n Rodriguez was a six-time All Star. He led the AL in saves three times and saved 40 or more games in six seasons and 20 or more in 11. In the five seasons from 2005 through 2009, he averaged 46 saves per season.<\/p>\n Rodriguez had an earned run average under 2.00 in two seasons and under 2.50 in seven campaigns. A true closer, Rodriguez pitched 976 innings in his 948 appearances, fanning 1,142 batters (10.5 per nine innings).<\/p>\n Francisco Rodriguez, who saved 62 games for the 2008 Angels, is the only pitcher in MLB history with 60 or more saves in a season.<\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n In his 2002 debut MLB season, the 20-year-old Rodriguez pitched in 11 post-season games for the Angels – recording five wins (one loss) – giving up four earned runs in 18 2\/3 innings, while fanning 28. What makes this especially surprising is that Rodriguez made his MLB debut on September 18 of that season and went 0-0, with no saves in five games (5 2\/3 innings). So, he had five post-season victories before he recorded his first regular-season decision of any kind.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n Francisco Rodriguez’ Best Season:<\/strong> In 2008 (Angels), Rodriguez saved an all-time record 62 games – in 69 opportunities.\u00a0 He put up two wins (three losses) and a 2.24 ERA in 76 appearances – and fanned 77 batters in 68 1\/3 innings.<\/p>\n BBWAA voters have traditionally been very demanding of relievers (although the recent inductions of Mariano Rivera and Trevor Hoffman may be a good sign – but they, of course, both had 600+ saves). It also helps that Lee Smith (478 saves) was elected by the Today’s Game Committee in 2019.\u00a0 I expect Rodriguez to get notable support. There does seem an outside chance he could make it on the first ballot (but I think it would take 500 saves for that honor).\u00a0 I’m looking for votes in the 40-52 percent range.<\/p>\n _________<\/p>\n Billy Wagner – (LHP 1995-2010) … Eighth year on the ballot, 51 percent last year.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Whiff-and-Poof<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n In 1992, playing for Ferrum College, Billy Wagner set an NCAA record for strikeouts per nine innings in a season at 19.3.<\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n Billy Wagner\u2019s Best Season<\/strong>: In 2003, Wagner went 1-4, 1.78 for the Astros, saving 44 games and fanning 105 batters in 86 innings.<\/p>\n BBRT thinks Wagner belongs in the Hall (based on his 400+ saves) \u2013 and hopes that momentum continues to build.\u00a0 Wagner has been gaining more support lately \u2013 in the last five ballots his percentages have gone 11.1, 16.7, 31.7, 46.4 and 51.0.\u00a0 He should gain more ground in this year\u2019s ballot, but 75 percent may be a bit too much of a jump.\u00a0 I’d like to see Wagner at least move up to the mid-60s. He gets my vote.<\/p>\n __________<\/p>\n Scott Rolen – (Third Base, 1996-2012) … Sixth\u00a0 year on the ballot, 63.2 percent last year.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Photo: User Darwin’s Bulldog on en.wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0 <http:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/3.0\/>, via Wikimedia Commons<\/p><\/div>\n Scott Rolen played for the Phillies (1996-2002), Cardinals (2002-2007), Blue Jays (2008-2009) and Reds (2009-2012). Those who read Baseball Roundtable regularly know how I lean toward players who flash the combination of leather and<\/strong> <\/em>lumber – and Scott Rolen did. The seven-time All Star (including in two of his final three seasons) earned eight Gold Gloves, rapped 316 home runs. and even swiped 118 bases. He finished with a .281 average, 316 home runs, 1,287 RBI, and 1,211 runs scored. Rolen hit 25 or more home runs seven times, with a high of 34 in 2005.\u00a0 He also put up five 100+ RBI seasons, scored 100+ runs in two campaigns and reached double digits in steals five times.<\/p>\n Off to a Good Start …<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Scott Rolen was the NL Rookie of the Year in 1997 (.283-21-92, with 16 steals).<\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n Scott Rolen\u2019s Best Season:<\/strong> In 2004, with the Cardinals, Rolen hit career highs in average, home runs and RBI (.314-34-124) and won a Gold Glove.<\/p>\n Rolen has been climbing steadily on the ballot\u00a0 since 2017, his vote percentages have been 10.2, 17.2, 35.3, 52.9 and 63.2.\u00a0 He may not jump all the way to 75 percent this year, but he has a chance and is is moving in the right direction. If only he had hit 400 home runs or led the league in one of the major offensive categories, he might already be there.\u00a0 (Or if his numbers hadn’t been dampened along the way by multiple\u00a0 shoulder surgeries.) He would\u00a0 get Baseball Roundtable’s vote – and has a solid chance to reach the 75 percent threshold within the next couple of ballots.<\/p>\n _________________________________<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/baseballroundtable.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/VOTED.jpg\")
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<\/a>BBRT has long believed Jeff Kent is a deserving candidate, but he has not been getting much support from the writers.\u00a0 Kent holds the all-time MLB record for home runs by a second baseman (351 of his 377 career round trippers were hit while in the lineup at second base). He has a healthy .290 career batting average; his 1,518 RBI are 54th all-time; and his 560 doubles 30th.\u00a0 His 984 extra base hits are 43rd<\/sup> all-time.<\/p>\n<\/a>Todd Helton moved from 16.5 percent of the vote to 52 percent between his first and fourth\u00a0 years on the ballot. He faced some pretty strong competition on past ballots and this year\u2019s lighter<\/em> ballot should help boost his numbers.\u00a0 (I expect he might reach 60-65 percent). Still, he is hampered by the fact that he spent his entire 17-year career with the Rockies (playing half his games in hitter-friendly Coors field).\u00a0 Helton, who put up a .316 career average, hit .345 at home and .287 on the road. Despite that home\/road split, Helton\u2019s body of work deserves HOF consideration.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/a>Billy Wagner played for the Astros (1995-2003), Phillies (2004-2005), Mets (2006-2009), Red Sox (2009) and Braves (2010). Wagner was a seven-time All Star, who amassed 422 saves (sixth all-time) in a 16-season MLB career.\u00a0 He had nine seasons of 30 or more saves; a career ERA of 2.31; 1,196 career strikeouts in 903 innings; and 47-40 won-lost record.<\/p>\n<\/a>