Philly Leader

The Baseball Writers’ Association of America (BBWAA) is set to announce the results of its Hall of Fame vote on January 21, as revealed by National Baseball Hall of Fame president Josh Rawitch. Four former Philadelphia Phillies players—Bobby Abreu, Jimmy Rollins, Chase Utley, and Billy Wagner—are among those on the ballot.

For a player to be inducted into the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York, they must appear on 75 percent of ballots. Those receiving at least five percent remain eligible for up to ten years.

Billy Wagner is in his final year of eligibility with the BBWAA. Last year, he fell just short with 73.8 percent of the vote. "I’m not going to know," Wagner said on The Phillies Show regarding whether he will receive a call this year. "That’s too hard... I know what’s on the line right here."

As per the BBHOF tracker, Wagner currently appears on 85.6 percent of known ballots cast but needs a cushion since voters who do not publicly reveal their ballots have historically voted less favorably for him.

Chase Utley is tracking at 51 percent in his second year of eligibility after securing 28.8 percent last year. His progress mirrors that of Scott Rolen, who eventually reached induction after starting with low percentages.

Jimmy Rollins and Bobby Abreu face more challenges ahead. Both are tracking at 23.1 percent according to the BBHOF tracker. Rollins received progressively higher votes over his four years: from 9.4 percent in 2022 to 14.8 percent last year. Abreu has been eligible for six years and has also seen gradual increases from an initial 5.5 percent in 2020 to last year's 14.8 percent.