The Hall of Fame Ballot Tracker discovered just 38 ballots so far, but the trend looks to me like no one getting elected this season. Both Todd Helton and Scott Rolen stand at 77%. Since voters who make their ballots public tend to be “big hall” voters, I don’t think either is polling high enough in this group to over come the private ballot voters.

Helton posted some monster years in his prime with 37.5 of his 61.8 rWAR coming in five seasons from ages 26 to 30. His career .414 OBP and .539 slugging percentages are outstanding. The big draw back for Helton is the Coors advantage. In home games he batted .345/.441/.607. In away games that dropped to .287/.386/.469. Note that he hit 28 triples in home games, just nine on the road.

Rolen best years stretched out over a long period, posting 46.2 of his 70.1 rWAR in eight seasons from ages 22 to 29. He also played a tougher position, third base instead of first. He won eight gold gloves and was Rookie of the Year in 1997. Rolen’s home/road numbers are more aligned also. He did a better job getting on base in his home parks, but hit more homers on the road.

My feeling is that Rolen should get in to the Hall. I would not be upset with Helton gaining recognition, but his case is weaker.