Ken Griffey Jr. headlines the 2016 MLB Hall of Fame ballot

(AP) When the Baseball Hall of Fame enshrines its next class, Ken Griffey Jr. will almost certainly be standing front and center at Cooperstown. But before that happens, there’s an important step: He needs to get voted in.

While in Griffey’s case the annual Hall of Fame ballot seems to be merely a formality, it’s a crucial part of the process for everyone else — and it’s always a big conversation starter this time of year.

The 2016 Hall of Fame ballot was released Monday by the Baseball Writers Association of America. On it is Griffey, a couple of lights-out closers and a couple sluggers who had a few nice seasons. Here are the notable newbies, starting with Griffey:

• Ken Griffey, Jr.
• Jim Edmonds
• Trevor Hoffman
• Billy Wagner
• Garret Anderson
• Troy Glaus
• Mike Sweeney
• David Eckstein
• Mike Hampton

Other new players, most of whom are looking at a one-and-done on the ballot if they don’t get five percent of the vote: Brad Ausmus, Luis Castillo, Mark Grudzielanek, Jason Kendall, Mike Lowell and Randy Winn. Of all these, Griffey is the only sure thing. Edmonds is an interesting case, but it’s hard to imagine a world in which he’s voted in while Tim Raines isn’t. Hoffman and Wagner will get some votes, but relief pitchers have traditionally been a harder sell to voters. Just ask Lee Smith.

Speaking of Smith, he’ll be on the ballot for the 14th year. He’s one of the many holdovers who are hoping to reach the all-important 75-percent-of-the-vote threshold. Here they are, in order of last year’s vote results:

(Getty Images) • Mike Piazza (69.9%)
• Jeff Bagwell (55.7%)
• Tim Raines (55%)
• Curt Schilling (39.2%)
• Roger Clemens (37.5%)
• Barry Bonds (36.8%)
• Lee Smith (30.2%)
• Edgar Martinez (27%)
• Alan Trammell (25.1%)
• Mike Mussina (24.6%)
• Jeff Kent (14%)
• Fred McGriff (12.9%)
• Larry Walker (11.8%)
• Gary Sheffield (11.75%)
• Mark McGwire (10.0%)
• Sammy Sosa (6.6%)
• Nomar Garciaparra (5.5%)

There’s belief among experts that Piazza and Bagwell have a good chance to get in this year. A name you’ll hear a lot in this Hall of Fame season is Trammell, who is in his 15th and final year on the ballot. He compares favorably to other Hall of Famers who played shortstop, but has never been able to get enough votes for Cooperstown.

McGwire is also in his final year on the ballot. The rules were changed recently limiting players to 10 years on the ballot, but the likes of Trammell and Smith, were allowed to stay on the ballot to their full 15-year limit. This is McGwire’s 10th year, but don’t expect him to make it.

Qualified voters have until Dec. 21 to submit their ballots. The results will be announced Jan. 6

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