As an upcoming member of the Baseball Writers Association of America, Snyder's 10-year waiting period is almost complete, and he eagerly anticipates the moment when his vote will have a real impact.

Although the official ballot is not yet in hand, Snyder has been diligently studying and preparing for the responsibility. By going through the exercise as if he were a voter, he aims to develop a solid foundation and ensure that muscle memory guides him through the process when the time comes.

One significant aspect that shapes each voter's ballot is the issue of performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) in baseball. Snyder maintains that players who have never tested positive for PEDs or faced suspensions from Major League Baseball should be evaluated without any blemishes on their record. Consequently, past players like Sammy Sosa and Mark McGwire would have received his vote, while Rafael Palmeiro would not have. Snyder acknowledges that this stance is subjective, with some applauding his approach, while others vehemently disagree.

The recent Astros' sign-stealing scandal, and the involvement of the Red Sox to a lesser extent, also impacts the voting process. Snyder differentiates between team-level operations aimed at collective success and players who selfishly used PEDs to achieve individual accolades. While opinions may vary on this matter, the character clause remains a contentious aspect that Snyder anticipates addressing in greater detail next year as an official voter.

However, Snyder clarifies that casting a vote for a player does not necessarily mean endorsing their immediate induction. He believes that the voting body collectively decides on players' fates, and leaving blank spots on the ballot could potentially harm a player's chances of reaching the 75% vote threshold required for induction. As such, he intends to carefully consider each candidate's merits and the potential impact of his vote on their chances.

With his considerations in mind, Snyder identifies several players he believes should be inducted into the Hall of Fame. Notably, Alex Rodríguez and Manny Ramírez do not receive his vote due to their past suspensions for PED use. On the other hand, Gary Sheffield and Andruw Jones receive unequivocal support from Snyder, emphasizing that they deserve their place among the greats.

Snyder also acknowledges the significance of specialized roles in baseball. Despite the ongoing debate, he firmly believes that Billy Wagner, an elite closer, deserves inclusion.

In the final stretch, Snyder examines a group of players for whom he feels less strongly. This includes Andy Pettitte, Bobby Abreu, Jimmy Rollins, Mark Buehrle, Francisco Rodríguez, Torii Hunter, and David Wright. Last year, he selected Abreu and Buehrle, and he stands by those choices. As for the others, he explains his reasoning for passing them over in the previous exercise.

As the hypothetical ballot concludes, Snyder reflects on the significance of his next year's vote, as it will mark his official role as a decision-maker for induction into the coveted Baseball Hall of Fame.