The Baseball Writers' Association of America's 2025 voting is open – and Ichiro Suzuki (one vote short of a unanimous vote), CC Sabathia and Billy Wagner are the newest members of the Baseball Hall of Fame. Carlos Beltran missed the 75 percent threshold for enshrinement by 19 votes. The new Hall of Famers will join Dick Allen and Dave Parker, elected by the Classic Baseball Era Committee in December, in Cooperstown in July.
ESPN MLB experts Buster Olney, Bradford Doolittle, Jesse Rogers and Jorge Castillo explain what the 2025 election means and look ahead to the future for this year's candidates — and those on the ballot in 2026.
Let's get into it.
Aside from those elected, who is the biggest winner of this year's vote?
Olney: The case for many starting pitchers was strengthened by the selection of CC Sabathia on the first ballot after his outstanding career. In the past, 300 wins was a benchmark that seemed important to Hall voters, but that is changing; Sabathia makes it overwhelmingly with 251 wins on his first attempt. Sabathia has a career WAR of 61.8, and consider some of the starters who are in the same neighborhood: Zack Greinke (72.8), Luis Tiant (65.6), Tommy John (62.1), David Cone (61.6), Andy Pettitte (60.7). ) and Mark Bührle (60.0). There are likely to be a number of starting pitchers giving speeches on the Cooperstown stage in the coming years.
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Rogers: Andruw Jones is getting closer and closer to his election. That's good news considering he only has two years left in his term. At this rate, it would be a surprise if he wasn't around next year – or at least until his 10th year of eligibility.
Castle: I agree with Buster and Jesse about future starting pitchers on the ballot and with Andruw Jones. But what about closers? Namely Francisco Rodriguez, who was there for the third time, as well as Kenley Jansen and Craig Kimbrel, who are both still active. Billy Wagner was on the ballot for a full 10 years, but he's a Hall of Famer. He ranks eighth all-time in saves. Jansen and Kimbrel are fourth and fifth, with perhaps more to come. Rodriguez is sixth. While he only reached 10.2% this year, Wagner only reached 10% in his first two years. Wagner was more dominant than them throughout his career and posted a higher career WAR, but given the increasing importance of relievers in the sport, Wagner's introduction is good news for future closers.
Doolittle: Although he came up short, Carlos Beltran, hitting 70.3% in his third year, is a solid choice to start next year. I guess he has another year of penance ahead of him to remind some voters of. He's a piece of cake.
Who is the biggest loser from this year's voting results?
Olney: Manny Ramirez, who now only has one year left on the ballot and whose voter support has barely changed. In 2020, the Baseball Writers' Association of America removed Kenesaw Mountain Landis' name from the MVP award, which it gives out due to his long history of racism, and yet a large portion of voters continue to use Landis' character clause for candidates on steroid -era. As far as voting goes, Ramirez has a good reputation like everyone else, but many writers won't let him into the hall, despite evidence that PED users have already been inducted.
2025 Baseball Hall of Fame Vote
The HOF's top voters are voting for the class of 2025. Three players reached the voting threshold of 75% out of 394 ballots cast. Full BBWAA vote count.
| PLAYER | VOICES | PCT. (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Ichiro Suzuki | 393 | 99.7 |
| CC Sabathia | 342 | 86.8 |
| Billy Wagner | 325 | 82.5 |
| Carlos Beltran | 277 | 70.3 |
| Andrew Jones | 261 | 66.2 |
| Chase Utley | 157 | 39.8 |
| Alex Rodríguez | 146 | 37.1 |
| Manny Ramirez | 135 | 34.3 |
| Andy Pettitte | 110 | 27.9 |
| Felix Hernández | 81 | 20.6 |
| Bobby Abreu | 77 | 19.5 |
| Jimmy Rollins | 71 | 18 |
| Omar Vizquel | 70 | 17.8 |
| Dustin Pedroia | 47 | 11.9 |
| Mark Buehrle | 45 | 11.4 |
| Francisco Rodriguez | 40 | 10.2 |
| David Wright | 32 | 8.1 |
| Torii Hunter | 20 | 5.1 |
Rogers: There doesn't appear to be much of a slowdown for known PED users, with Ramirez and Alex Rodriguez making very little progress toward the 75 percent threshold. Ramirez, in particular, has a great chance of being inducted into the Hall of Fame since he only has one year left on the ballot. A-Rod still has a lot of time, but he needs to change his mind significantly to get in.
Castle: Anyone known to have used PEDs. Whether you agree with it or not, people like Ramirez and Rodriguez will probably need a more lenient attitude from the Eras committees.
Doolittle: Fans of historical achievements and a consistent Hall of Fame. I just don't think Ramirez and A-Rod would make it past the finish line, at least not if Barry Bonds or Roger Clemens hadn't made it. Nothing in this year's number suggested any kind of shift. To me it's absurd.
What particularly stands out to you about this year's voting results?
Olney: Advanced metrics help some players who don't have flashy counting stats, and after two years of voting, it's pretty clear that Chase Utley will be one of those guys. After hitting 28.8% in his first year of eligibility, Utley took a significant step forward, rising to 39.8%. That's also good news for Buster Posey, another star player who dominated at his position for a few years but also didn't exactly put together flashy scoring stats.
Rogers: Well, Ichiro didn't get in unanimously. Some players simply deserve to be on everyone's choice list. We really can't agree that the few that keep coming around are among the best of all time – not just of their generation? In a sport that generates debate every day, sometimes a debate isn't even necessary.
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Castle: While most voters have taken an unyielding, tough stance against PED users, they haven't viewed Beltran's violations nearly as negatively. That doesn't mean he won't face punishment. Beltran was suspended for one year for his role in the Astros' sign-stealing scheme and was accordingly fired as manager of the Mets before officiating a game. Without that, he would be a Hall of Famer by now. Instead, he got 70.3% this year, his third election victory. He should reach the 75 percent threshold next year, which bodes well for other players linked to the Astros scandal in future voting.
Doolittle: Russell Martin and Brian McCann both had supporters. For both, it appears those who voted for them fully embraced FanGraphs' version of WAR, which relies on pitch-framing metrics. This is particularly true in Martin's case, but for both, the FWAR totals were heavily skewed towards the defensive side of the ball. Apparently most voters are not ready yet. As for me, I remain uncertain about the extent of this ability, at least not the amount of loans awarded for it. And “uncertain” is not a euphemism, but a precise description of what I may be convinced of in the future. Right now, I don't think we know exactly how to evaluate 21st century catchers, and I hate anyone in that position who *could* opt out of the pick.
Which player's vote total is the most surprising to you?
Olney: At the start of Andruw Jones' candidacy, when he only managed 7% of the vote, he seemed like a likely candidate; The question was whether he would remain on the ballot. But now he is in a position to be there next year, and if not, he will definitely make it the following year.
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Rogers: Brian McCann. The fact that he and Russell Martin have similar results is simply not right – and the fact that he is dropped from the vote is completely wrong. He is eighth all-time in home runs by catchers, and six of the seven players ahead of him are in the Hall of Fame. And he has a career batting average of .262 and was considered good behind the plate. He deserved more than a year of consideration.
Castle: Ichiro receives all but one vote. Not because he didn't deserve all those votes, but because he should have gotten unanimity – like so many other players in the past. For now, Mariano Rivera remains the only player to be named unanimously.
Doolittle: Chase Utley's numbers fluctuated between the last publicly recorded numbers and the final results release. I don't understand it. He's only competed twice now and he should be fine in the end, but until I saw the final count I would have thought he'd be a good choice next time. Now I doubt it. I guess his followers have some work to do.
Based on this year's results, who do you think will take part in next year's election?
Olney: Andruw Jones and Carlos Beltran (as some voters stop using the sign-stealing charge). And Utley will be in the game. Ramirez will have to go too far in his final election year, and it's clear that PED-related suspensions are worth a lifetime ban for many voters.
Rogers: Jones, Beltran, both of whom appear to be almost on track, and perhaps Utley – who is on track to take a big leap close to the 75% requirement.
Castle: Andruw Jones, Carlos Beltran and Chase Utley. Next year's group of first-time candidates won't be nearly as strong, which will certainly give Jones and Beltran the backing they need for inclusion. Utley should be a close call.
Doolittle: Jones and Beltran. Hopefully Utley will get a fresh look and Cole Hamels will have support among the freshmen. But it could be a long road for the cases of the two former Phillies.
