Minnesota Twins: Breaking down the Twins on Upcoming HOF Ballots

The Minnesota Twins have had six players appear on the Hall of Fame ballot over the past two years, but with the 2022 voting process in the rearview mirror, only one of those players remains in Torii Hunter.

While it’s no surprise that Michael Cuddyer, Latroy Hawkins, Justin Morneau, and A.J. Pierzynski didn’t last long, it’s also not a total stunner that Joe Nathan fell off the ballot after one year as well (though he probably should have gotten a second year).

What Minnesota Twins could we see on the Hall of Fame ballot in the next four years?

With Hunter entering his third year of eligibility in 2023, we thought it best to look at the next five years and consider what other potential players Minnesota Twins fans could see landing on the ballot as well as what their odds of staying on the ballot are. Let’s start things off with the ballot for next year.

Potential Minnesota Twins on the Ballot in 2023: Torii Hunter, J.J. Hardy, R.A. Dickey, and Glen Perkins

2022 was a big year for the Hall of Fame ballot, as several candidates exhausted their tenth year of eligibility. Add on the fact that Carlos Beltran is the only first-year ballot player with a real shot at the hall, and this is good news for players on the ballot of 2023.

Scott Rolen will likely be the closest to making it, while Todd Helton, Billy Wagner, Andruw Jones, and Alex Rodriguez should all see a big boost. Unfortunately, this benefit won’t really be felt by the Twins entering the ballot here.

R.A. Dickey will probably make the ballot, but J.J. Hardy and Glen Perkins are far from locks. Regardless of if they make it, none of them would likely receive a vote. Torii Hunter on the other hand should see a significant boost, maybe even reaching 10% of the vote and ensuring he stays on the ballot for another year.

Prediction: Rolen is the sole Hall of Famer, Hunter remains, and Dickey, Hardy, and Perkins don’t receive a vote.

Potential Minnesota Twins on the Ballot in 2024: Torii Hunter, Joe Mauer, Bartolo Colon, Phil Hughes, and Denard Span

While Carlos Beltran is the only big name player coming onto the ballot in 2023, 2024 is when the ballot is flooded with former All-Stars and studs. Adrian Beltre, Chase Utley, David Wright, Matt Holliday, Adrian Gonzalez, Jose Bautista, and the Minnesota Twins’ own Joe Mauer make an appearance on the ballot.

I would also think Denard Span would appear as down-ballot candidate as well, but like the Twins who appeared in 2023, he won’t last long if, especially in this crowded class. Phil Hughes shouldn’t make the ballot. But the voting here gets tricky for the other three.

Mauer likely won’t make it in first try in such a crowded class, but the writers will likely make sure that they clear up the ballot a bit and vote for the guys who have been there a while. Beltre will make it first ballot, while Billy Wagner, Todd Helton, Carlos Beltran, Alex Rodriguez, and Andruw Jones pick up steam (with one more probably making it in).

Wright, Reyes, Bautista, Gonzalez, Holliday, and even Bartolo Colon should all earn that five percent to stick on the bottom of the ballot. The tough part is now what happens to Torii Hunter. Hunter is likely viewed as the fifth outfielder on the ballot behind Jones, Carlos Beltran, Bobby Abreu, and Bautista, and with too many other choices, Hunter doesn’t quite reach the five percent.

Prediction: Beltre is the only Hall of Famer in the class, while Mauer has a great first showing (around 45%). Span and Hughes either don’t last or even make the ballot, and Hunter fails to reach the 5% mark.