Alex Rodriguez, David Ortiz headline first-timers on 2022 Baseball Hall of Fame ballot

Alex Rodriguez and David Ortiz headline the 13 newcomers who will debut on a ballot of 30 names eligible for the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2022. 

The new eligible candidates are: A-Rod, Ortiz, Carl Crawford, Prince Fielder, Ryan Howard, Tim Lincecum, Justin Morneau, Joe Nathan, Jonathan Papelbon, Jake Peavy, A.J. Pierzynski, Jimmy Rollins and Mark Teixeira.

The returning candidates are: Curt Schilling, Omar Vizquel, Andruw Jones, Andy Pettite, Tim Hudson, Barry Bonds, Billy Wagner, Jeff Kent, Mark Buehrle, Roger Clemens, Todd Helton, Manny Ramirez, Torii Hunter, Scott Rolen, Gary Sheffield, Sammy Sosa and Bobby Abreu. 

Candidates spend 10 years on the ballot before being removed, given they earn at least 5% of the vote, making this year's selection process worth paying attention to. Schilling, Bonds and Clemens are all in their final year of eligibility to be chosen by the Baseball Writers Association of America, needing 75 percent of the votes. Schilling came closest to election in 2021 (71.1 %), while Bonds (61.8 %) and Clemens (61.6%), remained further from the threshold. 

Despite being considered all-time greats, the association to performance-enhancing drugs -- or in Schilling's case, his conspiracy-theory rhetoric -- for Clemens and Bonds has hindered their respective elections. 

MLB SALARIES: Baseball's top 25 highest-paid players in 2024

2022: Will Hall of Fame stage be empty next year?

Rodriguez figures to suffer a similar fate, as he was suspended for a full season for steroids and lied about using them. 

It's also the final year of eligibility for Sosa, who also has asterisks next to his home-run hitting prowess and garnered 17% of the vote last year. 

Voters can select up to 10 names per ballot. In 2021, no players were elected through the writers' vote. 

Individuals can also earn Hall of Fame induction thanks to votes by committees. This cycle, the Golden Days and Early Baseball Era Committees will meet this winter to consider separate slates of 10 candidates apiece.

The Early Baseball ballot will include candidates from the Negro Leagues and pre-Negro Leagues Black baseball and is made up of: Bill Dahlen, John Donaldson, Bud Fowler, Vic Harris, Grant “Home Run” Johnson, Lefty O’Doul, Buck O’Neil, Dick “Cannonball” Redding, Allie Reynolds and George “Tubby” Scales. 

The Golden Days Era ballot is: Dick Allen, Ken Boyer, Gil Hodges, Jim Kaat, Roger Maris, Minnie Miñoso, Danny Murtaugh, Tony Oliva, Billy Pierce and Maury Wills. 

Both committees will meet Dec. 5 at the Winter Meetings in Orlando, Florida. 

Results of the BBWAA voting will be aired live on MLB Network at 6 p.m. ET on Jan. 25. 

Follow Chris Bumbaca on Twitter @BOOMbaca.