My Personal 2018 Hall of Fame Ballot

Now that 2018 has begun and since free-agency has continued to bore every baseball fan, I suppose it's the right time to talk about who I believe should be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame's class of 2018.

Firstly, I'd like to say I'm fully against players who were accused or convicted of using steroids joining the Hall of Fame. The Hall is home to the greatest players to play the game because of their pure talent. That should not be tainted by the likes of Barry Bonds and especially those proven of steroid use like Sammy Sosa. 

With that being said, I believe there are 6 players that should be inducted this year. Of course, that won't happen because 6 people can be understandably way too many for some voters to put on their ballots. Instead, I've divided the 6 I believe should be inducted into 2 different categories. Here is the first one.

No-Doubters, players who should get in this year or next without a doubt.

Vladimir Guerrero

The fact that Vladimir Guerrero wasn't elected to the Hall of Fame on his first ballot is a shame, but the good news is there is hope for 2018. Guerrero received 71.7 percent votes last year and considering he needs a little over 3 percent more votes, that shouldn't be too hard. Especially when you look at Vlad's incredible career stat line. He ended his 16-year career with 449 home runs, and if he had come up earlier he could've been in the 500 club. Guerrero also hit .318 in his career which ranks just outside the top 50 all-time. Add 9 All-Star appearances and the 2004 AL MVP and it's clear that Vlad belongs in Cooperstown (and should be inducted as an Expo). 

Trevor Hoffman

If Trevor Hoffman had played in a giant baseball city like Mariano Rivera did, people would be giving Hoffman the credit he deserves for being the 2nd best relief pitcher of all-time. His 601 saves ranks 2nd all-time as those 2 combined to destroy the past record during the 2000s. Hoffman also has been a 2-time Cy Young award runner-up which is difficult enough, let alone as a relief pitcher. Not to mention his 1133 strikeouts and 2.87 career ERA. All of these stats are hard to accomplish, so the fact that Hoffman accomplished so much proves that his 3rd time on the ballot will be the time he gets elected. 

Chipper Jones

To be a stand-out hitter without using steroids during the steroid era is impressive enough, but Chipper Jones did more than stand-out in his 19-year career. He became one of the most feared hitters in baseball, even winning the 1999 NL MVP. While spending his entire career with the Atlanta Braves. He's 30th all-time in career doubles and has made 8 All-Star appearances and won 2 Silver Slugger awards in a time when the competition was stiff. He's a first-ballot Hall of Famer for sure, however, it's a toss-up for the next guy on the list.

Jim Thome

Any player with 600 home runs that was steroid free throughout their career should join the Hall of Fame first ballot, but because Jim Thome spent a lot of his career at DH, that may or may not happen.   With that being said, his 612 career home runs are a historic number and considering that every steroid free member of the 600 home run club has gotten into the Hall of Fame no problem, so I'm very optimistic about Thome's chances, I'm just not sure if his time will come this year or next. 

Possibilities, players who may get in this year, but it seems more probable to be elected in the years to come.

Edgar Martinez

Other than Tim Raines, Edgar Martinez had the highest increase in Hall of Fame votes last year with a 15.2% increase. Unfortunately, he has just 2 years left on the ballot and still needs 17% more votes to make the Hall of Fame. However, Martinez has proven that he is deserving to join the class of 2018 throughout his career. He had a career .312 batting average and hit over 500 career doubles. He was one of the great performing players of his time and whether or not he gets the recognition he deserves is yet to be determined, but Edgar Martinez was a fan-favorite with a lot of talent that merits a place in Cooperstown. 

Omar Vizquel

Omar Vizquel is on his first ballot this year, but it's going to take a few years for the 11-time Gold Glove award winner to find a place in Cooperstown. Despite being one of the best defensive players to play the game, Vizquel lacked the offensive power that many voters look for to put on their ballots.   But where he lacks in power, he provides efficiency. He finished his career with 2877 hits 404 stolen bases. He was a quick hitter, almost an upgraded Dustin Pedroia, and was such a unique player at a time when most players were hitting for power, he was hitting simply to hit. Vizquel should find a place in the Hall at some point, after all, he has 10 years to do so.