Adviser’s note:  On Jan. 6, 2016 the BWAA announced the induction of Ken Griffey, Jr. and Mike Piazza to the Baseball Hall of Fame.  Congratulations to Jared’s excellent judgment to predict the chances of both players being inducted.

In early January, at least one more name will be added to the exclusive company of the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame.

Although I am not a member of the Baseball Writer’s Association Of America (yet), I have no official vote. Regardless, here is my outlook on the potential class of 2016.

The Shoo-ins

Ken Griffey, Jr., Outfielder (Year on Ballot – 1)

In his first year of eligibility, “Junior” makes it into the hall. Griffey could become the first unanimously voted member into the Hall. Although that seems unlikely, Griffey stands a good chance to potentially break Tom Seaver’s percentage record when he received 98.84% in 1992 (A player must receive at least 75% of the vote). “The Kid” is currently sixth all time on MLB’s career home runs list with 630 round trippers while adding 13 all star appearances, ten Gold Gloves, seven Silver Sluggers. If Griffey does not make it into the hall this year, some voters deserve to not have a vote next time the decision making comes along.

Borderline

That’s right. Only one player is guaranteed to make it into the hall this year. At least it’s better than 2013 when not a single candidate was elected by the BBWAA.

Trevor Hoffman, Relief pitcher (Year on Ballot – 1)

Hoffman is arguably the best closing pitcher of all time. He retired with a grand total of 601 saves, which accounted for the most all time (Mariano Rivera has since passed this milestone). There isn’t much to judge a closing pitcher on, but Hoffman was (and still is) referred to as one of the greatest to make the trot across the outfield grass to the pitcher’s mound.

Mike Piazza, Catcher (Year on Ballot – 4)

Piazza fell short last season with 69.9% of the vote; the former backstop’s percentage has been gradually rising since his first year on the ballot. Known perhaps for his iconic playoff home run in the days after the September 11th attacks, Piazza has done much more than provide refuge. Regarded as one of the top offensive catchers in history, Piazza leads all at his position in home runs, with 427. Also a defensive superstar, he caught two no-hitters in his 16 year career.

Jeff Bagwell, First baseman (Year on Ballot – 5)

Many people thought that Bagwell’s delayed induction was simply to wait for Craig Biggio to be eligible, allowing the two former teammates to be enshrined together. However, Biggio was enshrined last year. Bagwell on the other hand, is halfway through his eligibility. Arguably the best power hitter in the history of the Houston Astros, Bagwell was named to the all star team, won Gold Glove and Silver Slugger awards, and was named the National League Most Valuable Player in 1994. To go along with that, he ads three more all star appearances, a Rookie of the Year award, and two more Silver Sluggers.

Billy Wagner, Relief pitcher (Year on Ballot – 1)

The modern day ‘Billy the Kid”, Wagner was one of the top relief pitchers in the game during the entirety of his 16 year career. Fifth all time with 422 saves, he was a seven time all star (which is incredibly tough to do). Only once in his career did he have an earned run average above 3 while having having a WHIP (Walks+Hits/Innings Pitched) below 1.

The best of the rest

In the case of most of the below, they will more than likely not make it in. There is a chance, but something drastic would have to happen for that to happen.

Mark McGwire, First baseman (Year on Ballot – 10)

McGwire was a terrific power hitter, hitting 135 home runs over his 1998 and 1999 seasons. The main issue with McGwire however is his steroid usage. Although many people feel that steroids are just a part of the game, there are many others who feel he challenged the integrity of the game. On his last year of eligibility, it’s looking like a longshot for him to make it in.

Roger Clemens, Starting pitcher (Year on Ballot – 4)

Despite denying any involvement with anabolic steroids, Clemens was named in the Mitchell Report listing players who had been suspected of using performance enhancing drugs. Winning an MVP, multiple Cy Young Awards, countless all star game selections, and many more accolades, Clemens was one of the best pitchers of his generation. All of that may be tarnished however with his ties to cheating.

Barry Bonds, Outfield (Year on Ballot – 4)

Look at his record. 762 home runs; most all time. 14 all star appearances. Seven MVP awards. Eight Gold Gloves. 12 Silver Slugger awards. Looks like a hall of famer right? After all, he looks like one of the greatest players in the history of the game. As soon as his connections to steroids pop up however, his future immediately falls off of the table. A central figure in MLB’s steroids scandal, his lying to a grand jury desperately undermined his reputation.

Jim Edmonds, Outfield (Year on Ballot – 1)

While you have a moment, go into YouTube and search “jim edmonds catch”. Seriously. Go do it now. Did you do it? Good.

As you can see, Edmonds was a phenomenal defender. He won eight Gold Gloves in nine seasons from 1997 to 2005. Edmonds was also very underrated at the plate, hitting almost 400 home runs in his 17 year career. He was also listed as #12 of the top 100 players of the 21st century by ESPN’s Rob Neyer.

Mike Mussina, Starting pitcher (Year on Ballot – 3)

When thinking of “Moose” only one thing comes to mind: knuckle-curve. The dominating pitch allowed Mussina to win at least ten games a season in 17 straight seasons. He is the oldest pitcher to win 20 games in season which he did at the age of 39 in 2008. He never won a Cy Young award, but his career was often overshadowed by those of 2015 inductees Pedro Martinez and Randy Johnson, as well as other top pitchers at the time. He was also a top fielding pitcher, winning seven Gold Glove awards to go along with his five all star appearances.

Jason Kendall, Catcher (Year on Ballot – 1)

Some of you may be surprised by this. However, Bill James’ Hall of Fame monitor places him at 108, which means there is a likelihood that he makes it in. It doesn’t matter all that much, considering that Kendall will not make it in unless Mike Piazza does. Kendall was not a hitting catcher—he hit 75 home runs over 15 seasons. However, he was a terrific fielder with a fielding percentage of .990 (out of 1.000) and only one error an average of every 71 games.

Edgar Martinez, Designated Hitter (Year on Ballot – 7)

Many people are against Martinez’s selection for one reason and one reason only: all he did was hit. Martinez was a designated hitter. To elect him would simply mean that he was one of the greatest hitters of all time. However, in my honest opinion, 309 home runs, five Silver Slugger awards, and only two wins of the American league batting title doesn’t exactly resemble an icon.

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All of the names I listed above have the most chance of becoming enshrined in the Baseball Hall of Fame. So, who would I vote for?

Will the players on my ballot make it in? What players named in this article will be inducted? We’ll find out on January 6th.