Two weeks after Dave Parker and Dick Allen were selected as the newest members of the Baseball Hall of Fame via the Eras Committee, the Baseball Writers Association of America (BBWAA) 2025 Hall of Fame voting is underway. According to the BBWAA, voters use the following criteria to choose who receives their vote for the Hall of Fame, “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.” (BBWAA). Players need 75% of the votes in order to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.
With 28 former players currently on the ballot, we’ll be looking at the case for every player to take their place in Cooperstown in the Summer of 2025.
Outfielder Ichiro Suzuki (1st Year on Ballot)
One of the greatest hitters in baseball history, Ichiro Suzuki holds the record for most hits in professional baseball, with 4,367 between his time in the Nippon Professional Baseball League (NPB) and the MLB. Coming to the MLB at age 27, Ichiro won Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player in 2001. His first season would be the start of a historical run that would see the Japanese great record over 200 hits in each of his first ten seasons. In 2004, he broke George Sisler’s 84 year old single season hits record, recording 262 hits over 161 games. Ichiro’s pro career ended where it all began in 2019, when he played his final game in the MLB during the Mariners 2 game Opening Series against the then-Oakland Athletics in Tokyo, Japan.
Pitcher CC Sabathia (1st Year on Ballot)
CC Sabathia’s “Sneaky Hall of Fame” career was certified when he recorded his 3,000th strikeout on April 30th, 2019. The milestone saw Sabathia join Hall of Famers Steve Carlton and Randy Johnson as the only southpaws to ever record 3,000 strikeouts.
Starting in Cleveland, Sabathia was a 2-time All-Star before winning the 2007 AL Cy Young award, posting a 3.41 ERA across a league leading 34 starts and recording 209 strikeouts. However, Sabathia reached an other worldly level after being traded to the Milwaukee Brewers midway through the 2008 season. Following the trade, CC posted a 1.65 ERA and recorded a league best seven complete games, including a shutout on three days rest to secure the Brewers spot in the playoffs.
Sabathia finished top-5 in Cy Young every year from 2009 to 2011, and continued pitching effectively until 2019.
Pitcher Billy Wagner (10th Year on Ballot)
2024: 73.8% (284 Votes)
If you look solely at the stats, Billy Wagner has the most saves (422) by a left hander in MLB History. Despite an outlier 2000 season, Wagner never finished a season with an Earned Run Average above 2.99. Wagner spent 16 years in the MLB, and recorded 278 Saves between 2001 and 2008. The 7-time All Star finished inside the top-10 of the Cy Young race on two separate occasions.
As reliable as Wagner was in the regular season, the October lights were too bright. In 14 appearances across seven postseasons, Wagner posted a 10.03 ERA. This struggle has undoubtedly been a major factor as to why Wagner has not been inducted, despite being on the ballot for the last nine years. In his final year of ballot eligibility, Wagner could benefit from the “last chance boost” that catapulted Larry Walker and Tim Raines to the Hall of Fame in their final years on the ballot.
Shortstop/Third Basemen Alex Rodriguez (4th Year on Ballot)
2024: 34.8% (134 Votes)
At his highest peaks, Alex Rodriguez was a superstar. With 3 Most Valuable Player awards, 14 All-Star appearances, and his status 5th all time in Home Runs with 696, Rodriguez is undoubtedly one of the greatest talents to ever play the game of baseball. Making his debut in 1994 at just 18 years old, Rodriguez embarked on an 18 year career with the Seattle Mariners, Texas Rangers, and New York Yankees. On two occasions, Rodriguez signed the richest contract in MLB History. , “A-Rod” is an iconic player in baseball history, one of the biggest villains of the historic Yankees-Red Sox rivalry, and one of the biggest villains in MLB history.
Much like other legendary names in the game, Alex Rodriguez has achieved a status of infamy within the sport. Similarly to Manny Ramirez, Rodriguez was linked on multiple occasions with Performance Enhancing Drug use. In 2009, Alex Rodriguez admitted to using PEDs over a three year period starting in 2001. In his statement, “A-Rod” apologized for taking PEDs, saying “I did take a banned substance. And for that, I am very sorry and deeply regretful.” (ESPN). Four years later, Rodriguez was implicated in the Biogenesis scandal, and received a season long ban for PEDs. With character and integrity being the reason former superstars like Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, and Pete Rose are not in the Hall of Fame, it’s unlikely that Rodriguez will find a place in Cooperstown.
Outfielder Manny Ramirez (9th Year on Ballot)
2024: 32.5% (125 Votes)
Always a character, Manny Ramirez was one of the most entertaining baseball players on the field for his personality and power. Bursting onto the scene in 1995, Ramirez batted over .300 while hitting 31 home runs and 107 runs batted in for the Having finished top-10 in MVP voting on 8 occasions, including a third place finish in 2004, Ramirez was one of the premier hitters of a generation, and played a major role in the Red Sox breaking the Curse of the Bambino in 2004.
With 555 Home Runs, a career .312 batting average, and finishing his career with an OPS just under 1.000, Ramirez would be a surefire Hall of Famer if it wasn’t for his history of using performance enhancing drugs. In 2009, Ramirez was linked to the Biogenesis Scandal, where Dr. Anthony Bosch supplied top athletes with PEDs (Fish, Quinn). With the BBWAA typically voting heavily against those who used Performance Enhancing Drugs, Ramirez might have to wait until the Era’s Committee to be inducted into Cooperstown.
Outfielder Andruw Jones (8th Year on Ballot)
2024: 61.6% (237 Votes)
An outstanding defensive outfielder for a decade, Braves centerfielder Andruw Jones was a significant piece of the Atlanta Braves that won 10 consecutive NL East Pennants. From 1998 to 2007, Andruw Jones won 10 Gold Gloves, while batting .266 with 345 home runs and 1,034 runs batted in. Jones best year offensively was in 2005, when he led the league in home runs (51) and runs batted in (128). Despite the performance, he finished second to Albert Pujols in the National League Most Valuable Player award race.
Two years after leading the MLB in home runs and RBIs, Jones began a sharp decline offensively, hitting .222 in 154 games in his age-30 season. While Jones would last five more years in the league, he never found his form, and was out of the league after the 2012 season at aged 35.
Outfielder Carlos Beltran (3rd Year on Ballot)
2024: 57.1% (220 Votes)
Having been listed on 61.1% of BBWAA Hall of Fame ballots last year, Carlos Beltran is a name to watch entering the 2025 Hall of Fame voting phase. Beltran’s 20 year career started off with a Rookie of the Year win in 1999, hitting .293 with 22 home runs and 100 RBIs in his first full season with the Kansas City Royals. Over the next 18 seasons, Beltran was a consistent player for the Royals and Mets, with stops in St. Louis, The Bronx before finally capping off his career by winning the World Series with the Houston Astros in 2017.
While Beltran’s role in the Houston Astros sign stealing scandal ended his opportunity to be the New York Mets manager in 2020, his 19 year career prior to the scandal, which produced 421 Home Runs, 2,617 hits, and a .281 batting average, is weighing more than his tenure with the Astros.
Pitcher Francisco Rodriguez (3rd Year on Ballot)
2024: 7.8% (30 Votes)
At the time of Francisco Rodriguez’s retirement, he was 4th all time in saves with 437. Rodriguez is a 2-time “Rolaids Reliever of the Year” winner, and finished inside the top five of the Cy Young on three separate occasions. A lights-out reliever, Rodriguez led the league in saves three times, including his 2008 season with the Los Angeles Angels, when he set the single season record for most saves in a season with 62.
Relievers are typically undervalued and underappreciated when it comes to Hall of Fame voting. While Mariano Rivera became the first unanimous Hall of Famer, Trevor Hoffman took 3 years to earn his induction, and Lee Smith (3rd all time in Saves) had to wait until the Eras Committee voted him in.
Shortstop Omar Vizquel (8th Year on Ballot)
2024: 17.7% (68 Votes)
An 11 time Gold Glover, Omar Vizquel was a clear cut example of the “small ball” player. With little power, Vizquel’s game focused on contact and speed. Over his 24 year career, Vizquel stole 404 bases, while posting a 70.7% stolen base percentage. A career .272 hitter, the shortstop from Caracas, Venezuela finished his career with 2,877 hits, with his final career hit coming on October 3rd, 2012 at the age of 45.
While Vizquel’s play on the field is admirable, his many personal issues have hurt his chances of being enshrined in Cooperstown. His long-lasting hatred of Jose Mesa showed his true colors to many. However, Vizquel’s chances of being inducted were tarnished when allegations of domestic abuse were levelled against him by his wife in 2020. (Daniels). Just one year after the allegations came out, Vizquel was accused of sexual harassment by a batboy for the Birmingham Barons, who Vizquel managed from 2018 to 2019. (Strang, Fegan)
Pitcher Andy Pettitte (7th Year on Ballot)
2024: 13.5% (52 Votes)
Pettitte was instrumental in the last five Yankees World Series wins, with 7 quality starts across his career in the World Series. With a 256-153 career record, Pettitte’s importance to the Yankees dynasty, especially in the postseason, is a major case for the Hall of Fame. According to Jerry Beach at Forbes, “Among the 26 pitchers who are at least 100 games over .500 all-time” Pettitte is one of four to not be inducted into the Hall of Fame (Beach).
The former New York Yankees and Houston Astros pitcher, Andy Pettitte falls into the “Mike Mussina” category of potential Hall of Famers. The “Mike Mussina” category referring to another legendary Yankees pitcher–Mike Mussina–who was underrated throughout his career and earned his Hall of Fame Career for being a dominant pitcher while pitching predominantly in the hitter-friendly ballparks of the American League East.
Outfielder Bobby Abreu (6th Year on Ballot)
2024: 14.8% (57 Votes)
The Maracay, Venezuela native, Bobby Abreu had an 18 year career that doesn’t have too many eye-popping stats. In the words of the Moneyball depiction of Billy Beane, “Can he get on base?” In 8 consecutive seasons, Abreu recorded 100+ walks in a season while batting .304 over the span. A 1.14 Strikeout to Walk ratio, Abreu was a selective hitter who had the tools to be a superstar. With 400 career steals and an ability to hit for power, Abreu was an underrated talent who held his own until his age 40 season. With his career behind him, Abreu has gained steam as being one of the “cleanest” players of the MLB’s Steroid Era. Having never tested positive for a banned substance, Abreu doesn’t have the tarnished reputation of other players on the ballot.
Pitcher Mark Buehrle (5th Year on Ballot)
2024: 8.3% (32 Votes)
One of the final workhorses of the era, Mark Buehrle pitched in 200 innings in 15 consecutive seasons. Never a strikeout machine, Buehrle’s style of getting quick outs led him to pitching 33 complete games, including 3 for the 2005 World Series champion Chicago White Sox. In terms of individual achievement, Buehrle’s crowning moment came on July, 23rd, 2009, when he threw the 18th perfect game in MLB history, and the 7th perfect game by a Left Hander, retiring all 27 Tampa Bay Rays he faced.
Outfielder Torii Hunter (5th Year on Ballot)
2024: 7.3% (28 Votes)
A 9-Time gold glover, Torii Hunter was one of the best defensive outfielders of his era. He saved 36 runs defensively, (fourth most by primary center fielders), while winning gold gloves in every year from 2001 to 2009. After leaving his long term home in Minnesota, Hunter hit over .300 in his age 36 and 37 seasons, while playing 140+ games in both years. While Hunter never led the league in any category, consistency has been a factor for multiple Hall of Famers before, and Hunter was incredibly consistent over 19 major league seasons.
Shortstop Jimmy Rollins (4th Year on Ballot)
2024: 14.8% (57 Votes)
Jimmy Rollins is a fan favorite in Philadelphia. The long time shortstop for the Phillies, the switch hitter was a crucial part of the Phillies team that won five consecutive NL East pennants from 2007-2011. A member of the 2008 World Series champion Phillies squad, Rollins individual career reached its highest peak during the 2007 season, when he was named the 2007 National League “Most Valuable Player.” A recipient of the Roberto Clemente Humanitarian Award, Rollins embodies the character and integrity that Hall of Fame votes look for in possible candidates.
Second Basemen Chase Utley (2nd Year on Ballot)
2024: 28.8% (111 Votes)
Achieving 39.7 Wins Above Replacement (WAR) from 2005-2009, Chase Utley’s prime came right in the middle of Phillies Golden Age of the 21st century. Utley achieved his greatest offensive success during this five year period, batting .301 and averaging 29 home runs and 101 runs batted in per season. While not flashy, Utley was an incredible defender at second base, saving 123 runs defensively over his career, the second most all time by a second basemen.
While the 15th overall pick in 2000 had an incredible prime, Utley’s late arrival to the league at 24, as well as his decline after turning 30 hurt his Hall of Fame case. Utley did get a solid percentage of votes last year (32.6%) and currently sits at 47.1% of votes in 2025. (BBHOF Tracker).
Third Basemen David Wright (2nd Year on Ballot)
2024: 6.2% (24 Votes)
One of the greats of the New York Mets franchise, David Wright was the cornerstone on the hot corner for 12 seasons. Having batted .298 from his debut in 2004 to his final full season in 2014, Wright could have better solidified his case had it not been for his Spinal Stenosis diagnosis at the age of 31. The condition destroyed any chance for Wright to reach the 2,000, and maybe 3,000 hits that certainly would help his Hall of Fame case.
Second Basemen Dustin Pedroia (1st Year on Ballot)
The reliable second basemen for the Boston Red Sox, Dustin Pedroia was a cornerstone of the Red Sox from his 2007 Rookie of the Year campaign until a knee injury from a takeout slide all but ended his career. One of the vocal leaders of the Red Sox clubhouse, Pedroia won the 2008 Most Valuable Player award after leading the league in hits, doubles, and winning a silver slugger and gold glove award.
The “Laser Show” batted .303 from his first until his last full season in the MLB, and retired as a two time World Series champion, 4 time all star, and 4 time gold glove award winner. To Red Sox fans, he’s a no-doubt Hall of Famer, but will the BBWAA feel the same?
Pitcher Felix Hernandez (1st Year on Ballot)
“King” Felix Hernandez was the reason to watch the Seattle Mariners in the late 2000s and early 2010s. From his 2009 season, where he finished 2nd in the Cy Young race, until 2014, Hernandez posted a 2.73 ERA, and ERA+ of 141, and a record of 86-56. In that span, King Felix finished inside the Top-10 of the Cy Young race twice, including a 2014 Cy Young race that he probably should have won, was named the 2010 AL Cy Young, and threw a perfect game against the Tampa Bay Rays. His decline began after the 2015 season, posting a 4.89 ERA from 2016 to 2019. Hernandez opted out of the 2020 MLB Season, and never pitched in the MLB again. A fan favorite in Seattle, Hernandez needs 5% of the vote in order to remain on the ballot next year.
Pitcher Fernando Rodney (1st Year on Ballot)
Known for his tilted cap to honor his father as well as his bow and arrow celebration, Fernando Rodney was a serviceable reliever over his 17 seasons in the Major Leagues. The prime of Rodney’s career came in 2012, when he pitched to a 0.60 ERA across 76 appearances, finishing 5th in the American League Cy Young race. A career 3.80 ERA and 327 saves later, Rodney ended his career on a high note, winning the 2019 World Series as a member of the Washington Nationals.
Catcher Russell Martin (1st Year on Ballot)
One of Canada’s greatest ballplayers, Russell Martin was a serviceable catcher for well over a decade in the MLB. A 4 time all star, Martin finished inside the Top-25 of MVP voting on three separate occasions.
Shortstop Troy Tulowitzki (1st Year on Ballot)
Troy Tulowitzki looked like a surefire hall of famer after the 2011 season. With a 27 WAR after his aged-26 season, “Tulo” was destined for greatness. However, injuries began to take their toll on the former 7th overall pick from the 2005 MLB Draft. His 2014 Hip Flexor strain was the beginning of the end for the then 29 year old, as his 2015 All-Star appearance was the final one of his career. A historical great for the Colorado Rockies, Troy Tulowitzki could be the fourth player in Rockies history to have his number retired, and perhaps their third Hall of Famer.
Infielder Hanley Ramirez (1st Year on Ballot)
The former Red Sox top prospect, Hanley Ramirez played just two games for the Sox before an offseason trade sent him to the Florida Marlins, where he’d win Rookie of the Year in 2006. Three years later, Ramirez won the first batting title in Marlins history, batting .342 on route to a second place finish in the 2009 NL MVP Voting. Hanley Ramirez made his last all-star appearance in 2019 more seasons before retiring at the age of 35.
Outfielder Carlos Gonzalez (1st Year on Ballot)
A longtime outfielder for the Colorado Rockies, “Cargo” burst onto the scene in 2010, hitting 34 Home Runs, recording a career high 117 runs batted in, and winning his first and only batting title. A 3-time All-Star, Gonzalez was one of the main attractions of the late 2000s-early 2010s Colorado Rockies.
Outfielder Curtis Granderson (1st Year on Ballot)
Curtis Granderson found his stride in his second full season in the Majors back in 2007. Compiling a 7.6 WAR, Granderson led all of Major League Baseball with 23 Triples, the most in a single season since 1949. The “Grandy Man’s” career reached its peak in the 2011 MLB seasons, when he hit 41 Home Runs and led the league in RBIs with 119, finishing 4th in the AL MVP race.
Outfielder Adam Jones (1st Year on Ballot)
An all-star five times and a gold glove winner four times, Adam Jones was a mainstay on the Baltimore Orioles from 2008 until 2018. Jones compiled a 13.7 WAR over three seasons as the everyday centerfielder for the O’s. Jones batted .277 over the course of his career, and finished 6th in the 2012 AL Most Valuable Player race. A fan favorite in Baltimore, Jones’s most known highlight was his Home Run Robbery over then-Orioles teammate Manny Machado in the 2017 World Baseball Classic.
Second Basemen Ian Kinsler (1st Year on Ballot)
From his 7th place finish in the 2006 American League “Rookie of the Year” race, Ian Kinsler would become a serviceable second basemen over his 14 year career. A 4 time all-star and two-time gold glove award winner, Kinsler played over 100 games every year from 2006 until 2018. Quantifiably fifth all time in defensive runs saved, Kinsler saved 88 runs over his 14 year career, which culminated in a 2018 World Series Championship with the Boston Red Sox.
Catcher Brian McCann (1st Year on Ballot)
An All-star every year from 2006 to 2011, Brian McCann was one of the best framers of all time according to FanGraphs, saving 165.6 runs solely based off of framing ability. On the offensive side, McCann won the Silver Slugger 6 times over the course of his career, including five over his first six all-star seasons. The seven time all-star was a member of the 2017 World Champion Houston Astros, but hit a career .172 in his 39 Postseason games.
Utility Player Ben Zobrist (1st Year on Ballot)
The 2016 World Series MVP, Ben Zobrist made his career off being one of the MLB’s best Utility Men. Having played every position on the field besides Catcher, Zobrist was one of the most valuable players you could have on a team because of his ability to play wherever. Having led the league in WAR in 2008, Ben Zobrist finished 8th in MVP voting as a member of the Tampa Bay Rays and was a key contributor to their run to the World Series that same year.
A career .266 hitter, Zobrist didn’t have the offensive stats typical of a Hall of Famer. However, his case to the Hall of Fame is in his clutch moments and ability to play wherever. With 100 appearances in four different positions, Zobrist is the ultimate utility player, and scored the game winning run in the Cubs’ curse-breaking 2016 World Series run.
