2023 Hall of Fame Ballot

2023 Hall of Fame Ballot 

    The following players are on the BBWAA Hall of Fame ballot for 2023. After I tell you who they are, I will tell you who I would vote for if given the chance. The new names are mentioned first, and then those who are returning from last year's ballot.

-Bronson Arroyo

 

-Carlos Beltran 

 

-Matt Cain 

 

-R.A. Dickey 

 

-Jacoby Ellsbury 

 

-Andre Ethier 

 

-J.J. Hardy 

 

-John Lackey 

 

-Mike Napoli 

 

-Jhonny Peralta 

 

-Francisco (Frankie) Rodriguez 

 

-Huston Street 

 

-Jered Weaver 

 

-Jayson Werth 

 

-Jeff Kent (10th year on the ballot) 

 

-Gary Sheffield (9th) 

 

-Billy Wagner (8th) 

 

-Scott Rolen (6th) 

 

-Andruw Jones (6th) 

 

-Manny Ramirez (6th) 

 

-Omar Vizquel (6th) 

 

-Todd Helton (5th) 

 

-Andy Pettitte (5th) 

 

-Bobby Abreu (4th) 

 

-Mark Buehrle (3rd) 

 

-Torii Hunter (3rd) 

 

-Alex Rodriguez (2nd) 

 

-Jimmy Rollins (2nd) 

 

 

Each Hall of Fame voter can choose up to ten candidates who they believe to be Hall of Fame worthy. I personally would choose Bobby Abreu, Torii Hunter, Jeff Kent, Francisco Rodriguez, Scott Rolen, Jimmy Rollins, Gary Sheffield, Omar Vizquel, and Billy Wagner. 

Abreu was a fine combination of consistency (.291 lifetime batting average), power (288 home runs), and speed (400 stolen bases). The two time all-star also collected 1,476 walks and was a Gold Glove award winner in the outfield in 2005.

 

Hunter was a nine time Gold Glove award winner in the outfield, a five time all-star, and a .277 lifetime hitter. As one of the greatest all around talents in all of baseball during his heyday, he collected 2,452 hits, including 353 homers and 498 doubles. 

Kent is the all time leader in home runs for a second baseman, totaling 377 for his career. The five time all-star was a .290 career hitter with 1,518 RBI’s and 2,461 hits across seventeen seasons, winning four Silver Slugger awards and the 2000 NL MVP Award. 

 

Francisco Rodriguez (K-Rod) was one of the great closers of all time. In 16 seasons, Rodriguez compiled 52 wins and 437 saves, the latter figure the fourth most of all time, and holds the single season save record with 62 in 2008. An asset to the Angels’ World Series victory as a rookie in 2002, K-Rod averaged 10.5 strikeouts per nine innings for his career. 

Rolen was an eight time Gold Glove award winner at third base and the 1997 NL Rookie of the Year. A seven time all-star, he provided power (316 homers) and consistency (.281 lifetime batting mark) with stellar baserunning skills. 

Jimmy Rollins won four Gold Gloves at shortstop, but was better known for his offense. In 17 Big League seasons, Rollins batted .264 with 231 homers, 115 triples, 470 stolen bases, and 1,421 runs scored. He was the NL MVP in 2007, when he batted .296 with 20 triples and scored 139 runs. 

Sheffield has to his credit 509 home runs, 2,689 hits, 1,676 RBI’s, five Silver Slugger awards, a Batting Title, a 1997 World Series ring, and nine all-star selections - easily Hall of Fame caliber numbers. He admitted in court that he used steroids for a short time, but that he didn’t know what they were at the time, as they were given to him by another player. He also said that he was really upset about the whole deal and that it didn’t help his career at all. His numbers don’t show it, so Sheff gets my vote. 

Vizquel was an eleven time Gold Glove award winner at shortstop and a three time all-star. He holds the career record for the highest fielding percentage at short, a remarkable seven points above Ozzie Smith's (despite playing in Jacobs field for many years, which had artificial turf). Along with his nearly 3,000 career hits, Vizquel scored 1,445 runs, hit 456 doubles, stole 404 bases, and collected 256 sacrifice bunts, leading his league in sacrifices four times. 

Wagner ranks sixth in baseball history with 422 saves. He also had a 2.31 ERA and a 47-40 record in 853 games. The seven time all-star struck out an average of 11.9 batters per nine innings across his 16 MLB seasons. 

 

   A couple other names on this list could be okay Hall of Famers. Todd Helton, despite the Coors field bias, could have been a Hall of Famer in any other stadium. Some people think he’s a no-brainer and are shocked that he’s not already inducted (he’ll probably make it eventually; he finished at 52.0% last year). If someone wanted to argue Huston Street’s case, I’d be inclined to listen, as he was truly a fine closer. Andruw Jones, although I didn't vote for him, seems to be gaining momentum with the BBWAA, which is fine considering he hit 434 homers. And although they’re not Hall of Famers, there are a few players on this list who are truly interesting. Mark Buehrle and Matt Cain threw perfect games; Ellsbury holds numerous hit by pitch records; Lackey was an ace for the Angels; Dickey was a knuckleballer who took Cy Young honors in 2012; and Weaver threw a no-hitter on May 2, 2012, a game that I attended.