MINNEAPOLIS -- Two-time Cy Young Award winner Johan Santana and slugger Jim Thome, who hit career homer No. 600 with the Twins in 2011, are both on the Hall of Fame ballot for the first time, as announced on Monday.
Other first-time candidates who played with the Twins include right-hander Livan Hernandez, closer Brian Fuentes and infielder Orlando Hudson. The Twins don't have any former players returning on the ballot.
Santana, memorably acquired by the Twins via the Rule 5 Draft before the 2000 season, was one of the best pitchers in baseball during his time in Minnesota, winning 93 games and posting a 3.