The Baseball Writers’ Association of America released its 2026 Hall of Fame ballot on Monday, featuring 12 newcomers including former Phillies pitcher Cole Hamels. Carlos Beltrán leads the 15 holdovers after receiving 70.3% of votes in 2025, falling 19 votes short of election. Results will be announced on January 20, with induction set for July 26.
The 2026 BBWAA Hall of Fame ballot includes 27 players, with Cole Hamels, Ryan Braun and Matt Kemp among the first-time eligibles. Other newcomers are Howie Kendrick, Daniel Murphy, Rick Porcello, Shin-Soo Choo, Edwin Encarnación, Gio González, Alex Gordon, Nick Markakis and Hunter Pence.
Hamels, a four-time All-Star, posted a 163-122 record with a 3.43 ERA over his career with the Phillies (2006-15), Rangers (2015-18), Cubs (2018-19) and Braves (2020). He pitched a no-hitter against the Cubs on July 25, 2015, and was MVP of the 2008 NLCS and World Series, helping Philadelphia win its second title since 1980.
Among holdovers, Beltrán hit .279 with 435 homers and 1,587 RBIs over 20 seasons across seven teams. He earned 277 of 394 votes (70.3%) in 2025. Other notable returnees include Andruw Jones (66.2%), Chase Utley (39.8%), Alex Rodriguez (37.1%) and Manny Ramirez (34.3%).
Utley, in his third year, saw his support rise to 39.8% in 2025 from 28.8% in 2024. From 2005-10, he accumulated 45.5 bWAR, second among position players to Albert Pujols. Jimmy Rollins, in his fifth year, received 18% last year; he finished with 2,455 hits and won the 2007 NL MVP. Bobby Abreu, seventh on the ballot, got 19.5% and reached base 3,979 times, 49th all-time.
BBWAA members with 10 or more consecutive years of membership vote, with ballots due by December 31. The contemporary era committee will consider eight players, including Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens, on December 7.
