Baseball Hall of Fame: Ken Griffey Jr., 4 Other potential 2016 electees

Jul 13, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; MLB former players Mike Piazza (left) talks with John Smoltz (right) during the MLB legends and celebrity softball game at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

Now that the players that will makeup the 2015 Baseball Hall of Fame class are known, preparations can get underway for this July’s induction ceremonies. We can also start to take an early look ahead at next year’s potential class of electees.

The BBWAA will sort through a new ballot later this calendar year that will look largely different than the one they viewed over the past few months with 34 names on it. Subtracting the four 2015 inductees (Randy Johnson, Pedro Martinez, John Smoltz, and Craig Biggio) the players dropping off the ballot because they’ve eclipsed their time allowed on the ballot (Don Mattingly), and those who failed to reach the necessary 5% to remain eligible (Carlos Delgado, Troy Percival, and ten others) that leaves us with 17 returning candidates.

There are 25 new candidates who will be appearing on the ballot for the first time next year – including players like Jim Edmonds, Jason Kendall, Mike Hampton, Randy Winn, Mark Grudzielanek, Chan Ho Park, Bengie Molina, and others. Many of this group will not gain election into the Hall of Fame, with many of them likely to fall off after the first year.

With 42 potential names set to appear on the ballot, let’s take a closer look at five possibilities who may reach the 75% threshold.

Next: The one and only Junior Griffey

Aug 10, 2013; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners former outfielder Ken Griffey Jr addresses the Seattle Mariners team in the dugout during an induction ceremony into the Seattle Mariners hall of fame before the game between the Seattle Mariners and the Milwaukee Brewers at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports

Ken Griffey, Jr.

There’s never been much doubt that Ken Griffey, Jr. would make his way into the Hall of Fame, so we may as well lead off with the lone obvious choice for the 2016 election. Griffey was electric to watch in the field, responsible for countless highlight-reel plays in center field and memorable moments at the plate. He always looked like he was having fun, too, which was perhaps what was best of all.

Griffey was still viewed as one of the best players of his generation, even when then career numbers of Barry Bonds continued to grow. Griffey would have kept up – cleanly – had it not been for a string of career-shortening injuries in the early 2000s once he moved from the Mariners to the Reds. He’d eventually return to the Mariners for two more seasons, retiring after 22 years in 2010.

Griffey was a .284/.370/.538 hitter for his career who totaled 630 home runs (6th all time), won 10 straight Gold Glove Awards, and the AL MVP in 1997.

Next: The greatest hitting catcher in MLB history

Mar 4, 2014; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets former player Mike Piazza signs autographs before the spring training action at Tradition Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Barr-USA TODAY Sports

Mike Piazza

Some question how Mike Piazza, arguably the greatest hitting catcher in baseball history, isn’t already in the Hall of Fame. Given his production on the field it’s a fair question to ask, considering there is no proof that he was ever involved with taking performance enhancing drugs. Yet that suspicion has slowed the process for Piazza, keeping him from election so far but his support continues to increase year to year.

Most of the Hall of Fame’s voters understand that there’s never been proof that Piazza took anything. He’s not viewed in the same light as Bonds, Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa, and others.

All Piazza did in his career was hit. He batted .308/.377/.545 over a 16 year career and hit 427 home runs (395 as a catcher) all while playing one of the most physically grueling positions in the field to play.

Piazza was named on 69.9% of the ballots this year, his 3rd, and appears to be in good position to gain election in 2016.

Next: Rock Raines

Mar 28, 2014; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Gary Carter

Tim Raines

It’s hard to find someone who hasn’t gained more traction in recent years towards an eventual election into Cooperstown than Tim Raines.  The continued development of advanced statistics has played a big role in Raines’ revival as a candidate, as he seem often overlooked when he first landed on the ballot.

Ultimately, it’s tough to keep out one of the premier players at his position simply because there was someone else during his career who did it better. Raines has always been overshadowed by Rickey Henderson (see: Trevor Hoffman vs. Mariano Rivera).

That career began with a 13-year stretch with the Montreal Expos, during which Raines played in seven All Star Games and batted .301/.391/.437 at the top of the Expos lineup. He’d then spend five years with the White Sox before his journeys took him through New York, Oakland, Baltimore, and Florida.

Raines played in the major leagues for 23 seasons, hitting .294/.385/.425. His 808 stolen bases rank fifth all time. He received 55.0% of the vote in 2015 and deserves to get in.

Next: Blasting Bagwell

Jun 26, 2014; San Deigo, CA, USA; San Diego Padres former pitcher Trevor Hoffman speaks during Tony Gwynn

Trevor Hoffman

Trevor Hoffman represents the only other candidate making his first appearance on the ballot who stands much of a chance of gaining election to the Hall of Fame, let alone with that coming this year. Hoffman’s care largely rests on how the BBWAA starts to consider relievers in the coming years, as historically the position hasn’t gained much traction (see: Lee Smith).

The closer position was revolutionized during the 1990s and 2000s and two players dominated the role. Not only are they the only two with more than 500 career saves but they are both over 600 (Hoffman has 601). Mariano Rivera’s turn will come up in a few years and his overall dominance during the regular and postseason (Yes, he got a boost there for being a part of many winning Yankees teams but he still produced in those opportunities every single time.) likely assures him of going in that first year.

Hoffman, a converted shortstop who found a home with the Padres after being traded twice in the minor leagues, will get his due in Cooperstown (as Smith will, eventually) but it may not be this first year.

Next: Can all five get in?

Mar. 10, 2013; Phoenix, AZ, USA: Former outfielder Ken Griffey Jr throws out the first pitch prior to the game between USA against Canada during the World Baseball Classic at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Odds aren’t high that all five of these players end up gaining election in the same year. Only once in the history of the Baseball Hall of Fame has there been an election that yielded five new electees – 1936, the inaugural class which included Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, Christy Mathewson, Walter Johnson, and Honus Wagner.

The odds are technically not great that there will be four players who will exceed the 75% voting threshold, as that has only happened three times in history if we include the election results revealed this week. The prior two were in 1947 and 1955 and included the likes of Carl Hubbell, Lefty Grove, and Joe DiMaggio.

Griffey is a virtual lock to gain election in 2016.

Piazza appears to also be a very strong candidate.

Raines, Bagwell, and Hoffman all stand a chance. It’s far too early to wager anything there, but the addition of four players this year and three last has freed up a large share of votes that the BBWAA writers can push towards new deserving candidates. The three should all get in, it’s merely a question of when considering some of the names who will be coming up in future years for consideration.

Next: Spring Training Report Dates