{"id":124701,"date":"2026-06-28T16:22:18","date_gmt":"2026-06-28T20:22:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/?p=124701"},"modified":"2026-06-28T16:22:18","modified_gmt":"2026-06-28T20:22:18","slug":"2027-baseball-hall-of-fame-ballot-preview-will-buster-posey-headline-the-next-cooperstown-class","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2026\/06\/28\/2027-baseball-hall-of-fame-ballot-preview-will-buster-posey-headline-the-next-cooperstown-class\/","title":{"rendered":"2027 Baseball Hall of Fame Ballot Preview: Will Buster Posey Headline the Next Cooperstown Class?"},"content":{"rendered":"<h1><span>Is Buster Posey Headed for a First-Ballot Election?<\/span><\/h1>\n<p>The Baseball Hall of Fame closed another chapter in January when <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/b\/beltrca01.shtml\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Carlos Beltr\u00e1n<\/a> and <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/j\/jonesan01.shtml\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Andruw Jones<\/a> finally received the call to Cooperstown. Beltr\u00e1n&#8217;s all-around brilliance and Jones&#8217; historic defensive excellence ultimately proved too strong for voters to ignore, giving the Hall of Fame<a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2026\/01\/20\/arlos-beltran-and-andruw-jones-elected-to-hall-of-fame-headline-2026-class\/\" target=\"_self\"> two deserving additions after years of debate<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Now, attention quickly shifts to the 2027 ballot.<\/p>\n<p>While the returning ballot still features several notable candidates, the spotlight belongs to one player making his first appearance: Buster Posey.<\/p>\n<p>The former San Francisco Giants catcher headlines one of the more interesting first-year classes in recent memory and could very well become the lone inductee in next year&#8217;s election.<\/p>\n<p>Here are the biggest storylines to watch.<\/p>\n<h1>Buster Posey: A Strong First-Ballot Favorite<\/h1>\n<p>Few catchers have defined an era quite like <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/p\/poseybu01.shtml\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Buster Posey<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Selected fifth overall in the 2008 MLB Draft, Posey immediately became the face of the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2021\/07\/06\/posey-leads-giants-all-stars\/\" target=\"_self\">Giants&#8217; championship dynasty<\/a>, helping lead San Francisco to three World Series titles while establishing himself as arguably the best catcher of his generation.<\/p>\n<p>His r\u00e9sum\u00e9 speaks for itself:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>3 World Series championships<\/li>\n<li>National League MVP (2012)<\/li>\n<li>NL Rookie of the Year (2010)<\/li>\n<li>7 All-Star selections<\/li>\n<li>Gold Glove Award<\/li>\n<li>Silver Slugger Award<\/li>\n<li>Batting title<\/li>\n<li>Over 1,500 hits<\/li>\n<li>.300+ career batting average<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Beyond the numbers, Posey transformed games with elite pitch framing, game calling, leadership, and defense\u2014qualities that aren&#8217;t always reflected in traditional statistics but have become increasingly valued by Hall of Fame voters.<\/p>\n<p>Considering the lack of elite modern catchers in Cooperstown and Posey&#8217;s central role in one of baseball&#8217;s great dynasties, he enters the ballot as an overwhelming favorite for first-ballot election.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Prediction: Elected (90\u201395%)<\/strong><\/p>\n<h1>Jon Lester Could Receive Strong Debut Support<\/h1>\n<figure id=\"attachment_57519\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-57519\" style=\"width: 300px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2023\/02\/Jon-Lester-300x240.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"240\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-57519\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2023\/02\/Jon-Lester-300x240.jpg 300w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2023\/02\/Jon-Lester.jpg 612w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-57519\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">CHICAGO &#8211; SEPTEMBER 26: Jon Lester #34 of the Chicago Cubs pitches against the Chicago White Sox on September 26, 2020 at Guaranteed Rate Field in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Ron Vesely\/Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Few pitchers were more successful during baseball&#8217;s postseason-heavy era than <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/l\/lestejo01.shtml\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jon Lester<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>A <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2022\/01\/21\/lester-hall\/\" target=\"_self\">five-time All-Star and three-time World Series champion<\/a>, Lester became one of October&#8217;s most dependable starters while serving as the ace for championship clubs in both Boston and Chicago.<\/p>\n<p>Career highlights include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>200 wins<\/li>\n<li>More than 2,400 strikeouts<\/li>\n<li>3 World Series championships<\/li>\n<li>NLCS MVP<\/li>\n<li>5 All-Star selections<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Although Lester lacks a Cy Young Award, his postseason r\u00e9sum\u00e9 and longevity should generate meaningful support.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Prediction: 30\u201340%<\/strong><\/p>\n<h1>Cole Hamels Begins His Hall of Fame Journey<\/h1>\n<figure id=\"attachment_95124\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-95124\" style=\"width: 300px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2025\/02\/USATSI_23745850-300x213.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"213\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-95124\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2025\/02\/USATSI_23745850-300x213.jpg 300w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2025\/02\/USATSI_23745850-1024x727.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2025\/02\/USATSI_23745850-768x545.jpg 768w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2025\/02\/USATSI_23745850.jpg 1412w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-95124\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">National League pitcher Cole Hamels of the Philadelphia Phillies throws a pitch during the seventh inning of the 2012 All-Star Game at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri on July 10, 2012.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><a  href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/h\/hamelco01.shtml\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Cole Hamels<\/a> quietly put together one of the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2019\/06\/19\/cole-hamels-reaches-milestone\/\" target=\"_self\">better pitching careers<\/a> of the 21st century.<\/p>\n<p>His crowning achievement came in 2008 when he captured both NLCS MVP and World Series MVP while leading the Philadelphia Phillies to a championship.<\/p>\n<p>Career accomplishments include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>163 wins<\/li>\n<li>More than 2,500 strikeouts<\/li>\n<li>World Series MVP<\/li>\n<li>NLCS MVP<\/li>\n<li>4 All-Star selections<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Hamels&#8217; postseason r\u00e9sum\u00e9 gives him a stronger case than many realize, although he may need several years to build momentum.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Prediction: 20\u201330%<\/strong><\/p>\n<h1>Ryan Zimmerman: Mr. National<\/h1>\n<p>No player is more closely associated with the Washington Nationals than <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/z\/zimmery01.shtml\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Ryan Zimmerman<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>The franchise&#8217;s first draft pick became the face of the organization for nearly two decades and helped deliver the club&#8217;s first World Series title in 2019.<\/p>\n<p>Career highlights:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>284 home runs<\/li>\n<li>More than 1,800 hits<\/li>\n<li>Gold Glove Award<\/li>\n<li>Silver Slugger<\/li>\n<li>World Series champion<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>While his peak was excellent, injuries prevented Zimmerman from reaching the milestones that often define Hall of Fame careers.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Prediction: Below 10%<\/strong><\/p>\n<h1>Kyle Seager Faces an Uphill Climb<\/h1>\n<p><a  href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/s\/seageky01.shtml\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Kyle Seager<\/a> enjoyed a remarkably consistent career with the Seattle Mariners, earning a reputation as one of baseball&#8217;s steadiest third basemen.<\/p>\n<p>His r\u00e9sum\u00e9 includes:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>242 home runs<\/li>\n<li>Gold Glove Award<\/li>\n<li>All-Star selection<\/li>\n<li>Durable 11-year career<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Seager&#8217;s consistency should earn respect, but he likely falls short of Cooperstown standards.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Prediction: Below 5%<\/strong><\/p>\n<h1>Returning Candidates to Watch<\/h1>\n<p>With Beltr\u00e1n and Jones now elected, several returning candidates could receive noticeable bumps in support.<\/p>\n<h2><a  href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/u\/utleych01.shtml\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Chase Utley<\/a><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2026\/06\/Unknown-2-6.webp\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"168\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-124702\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Advanced metrics continue to strengthen Utley&#8217;s candidacy, and he appears to be on a trajectory similar to <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2026\/01\/19\/chase-utley-will-get-into-hall-of-fame-just-not-yet\/\" target=\"_self\">several recent Hall of Fame inductees<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Prediction: 70\u201375%<\/strong><\/p>\n<h2><a  href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/r\/rodrial01.shtml\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Alex Rodr\u00edguez<\/a><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2026\/06\/Unknown-1-10.webp\" alt=\"\" width=\"190\" height=\"266\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-124703\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Despite one of the greatest statistical careers in baseball history, performance-enhancing drug suspensions remain his largest obstacle.<\/p>\n<p>His support may continue climbing, but election still appears unlikely.<\/p>\n<h2>Manny Ramirez<\/h2>\n<p>Like Rodr\u00edguez, <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/r\/ramirma02.shtml\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Ramirez<\/a> possesses undeniable Hall of Fame statistics but continues to face resistance because of PED suspensions.<\/p>\n<h2>F\u00e9lix Hern\u00e1ndez<\/h2>\n<p>If he debuts on the ballot alongside Posey, &#8220;<a  href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/h\/hernafe02.shtml\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">King F\u00e9lix<\/a>&#8221; should attract considerable attention thanks to one of the greatest pitching peaks of the 21st century.<\/p>\n<h1>Early 2027 Hall of Fame Prediction<\/h1>\n<p><strong>Elected<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Buster Posey<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Knocking on the Door<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Chase Utley<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Strong First-Year Showing<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Jon Lester<\/li>\n<li>Cole Hamels<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Building Momentum<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>F\u00e9lix Hern\u00e1ndez<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h1>A Catcher&#8217;s Legacy Could Define the Class<\/h1>\n<p>Every Hall of Fame class has a defining storyline.<\/p>\n<p>For 2027, that story appears destined to revolve around Buster Posey.<\/p>\n<p>His championship pedigree, MVP Award, elite defense, offensive production, and leadership make him one of the strongest first-ballot candidates in recent memory. While Jon Lester and Cole Hamels will begin intriguing Hall of Fame journeys, and Chase Utley continues his climb toward Cooperstown, Posey enters the ballot as the clear headliner.<\/p>\n<p>If the early projections hold true, the 2027 Hall of Fame class may ultimately be remembered as the year one of baseball&#8217;s greatest modern catchers received his long-awaited place among the legends of Cooperstown.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The 2026 Baseball Hall of Fame class featured long-awaited inductions for Carlos Beltr\u00e1n and Andruw Jones, but the Cooperstown conversation never stops. The 2027 BBWAA ballot welcomes one of the greatest catchers of the modern era in Buster Posey, along with several intriguing first-time candidates and returning stars looking to finally earn baseball&#8217;s highest honor.<br \/>\nAfter Carlos Beltr\u00e1n and Andruw Jones earned election to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2026, attention now turns to the 2027 ballot. Here&#8217;s an early look at Buster Posey, Jon Lester, Cole Hamels, Ryan Zimmerman, Kyle Seager, and the returning candidates hoping to reach Cooperstown.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5710,"featured_media":59141,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"878","footnotes":""},"categories":[4454,2,1071],"tags":[2607,792,115,422,386,1834,746,402],"class_list":["post-124701","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-baseball-history","category-featured","category-mlb","tag-alex-reyes","tag-baseball-hall-of-fame","tag-buster-posey","tag-chase-utley","tag-cole-hamels","tag-cooperstown","tag-felix-hernandez","tag-jon-lester"],"modified_by":"Eddie Lennon, Staff Writer","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/124701","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5710"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=124701"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/124701\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":124708,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/124701\/revisions\/124708"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/59141"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=124701"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=124701"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=124701"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}