The BBWAA released their ballot for the Hall of Fame class of 2019 on Monday.  The results of the vote are due to be revealed on January 22nd, with induction taking place next July.  After Chipper Jones, Jim Thome, Vladimir Guerrero, and Trevor Hoffman were elected in last year’s voting, the new ballot contains 15 holdovers along with 20 newcomers, which may continue the logjam caused by the current BBWAA rules which limit the number of votes on one ballot to 10 and the ongoing refusal by some writers to vote for players tainted by PEDs, leaving too many qualified candidates fighting for limited spots.  Once again, the BBWAA and the Hall may find themselves with a mess on their hands.

Yesterday, we looked at the returning candidates.  Today, it’s time to look at the newcomers and who may be thankful come January.

Rick Ankiel

Mad props to the man for putting together a viable major league career as an outfielder after imploding as a pitcher, but he has no shot here.

Jason Bay

I can’t imagine a world where Jason Bay earns a Hall of Fame vote.

Lance Berkman

I never really thought I was watching a Hall of Famer during the 31 games I saw Berkman perform in, but I have a feeling he will get some, but not enough, support.

Freddy Garcia
Jon Garland

These two members of the starting rotation for the 2005 World Series Champions will always hold a special place in my heart, but not in Cooperstown.

Travis Hafner

This has been a weak batch of newly eligible players so far, no?

Roy Halladay

I imagine Halladay would have garnered strong support anyway, but his untimely death last year will likely goose his numbers.

Todd Helton

Helton will get in, but he may need to wait a year or two.

Ted Lilly

I guess we’ll see if Bruce Levine gets to vote in these proceedings based on whether the former Cub gets a vote or not.

Derek Lowe

The former Red Sox hurler may get a little support, but not enough to keep him on the ballot for a second go-around.

Darren Oliver

Yeah, no.

Roy Oswalt

A fine player who will likely see enough support to hang on the ballot, but nowhere near enough to actually make it.

Andy Pettitte

Pettitte will be an interesting conundrum.  He’d probably be a shoe-in were it not for the taint of PEDs, but he was upfront about it and didn’t garner the scorn that his teammates Roger Clemens and Alex Rodriguez did.

Juan Pierre

The former White Sox and Cubs outfielder should see no votes coming his way.

Placido Polanco

I can’t imagine there will be any support for Polanco.

Mariano Rivera

Potentially the first unanimous selection in the Hall’s history, though some boob will find some asinine reason not to vote for him.

Miguel Tejada

The former AL MVP will likely see a vote or two, but not enough for a second go-around.

Vernon Wells

Wells certainly has nothing to be ashamed of with his 15 year career, but it was nowhere near Hall of Fame worthy..

Kevin Youkilis

A decent, if somewhat short, career that should not garner any Hall support.

Michael Young

And we finish things off with the former Ranger, who may get enough votes to come back next year.