In the latest update to 2026 Baseball Hall of Fame ballot tracking, Carlos Beltrán has surged to 90% support, positioning him strongly for induction on January 20. Building on earlier figures around 88%, voters like CBS Sports' Matt Snyder and Mike Axisa back his elite career despite Astros scandal scrutiny, alongside cases for Andruw Jones and Chase Utley.
Carlos Beltrán's Hall of Fame trajectory continues to strengthen, with Ryan Thibodaux’s ballot tracker now showing 90% support as the January 20 announcement nears—up from 88.4% on 140 ballots earlier this month. The nine-time All-Star's unique switch-hitting prowess (2,725 hits, 435 HRs, 312 SBs) and postseason excellence (.307/.412/.609, 1.021 OPS) bolster his case.
Scandal shadow lingers from his role in the 2017 Astros sign-stealing scheme, where he was the only player named in MLB's report. Reflecting in 2022, Beltrán said, "A lot of people always ask me why you didn’t stop it... Why you going to stop something that is working for you?" No players faced discipline, but it cost him his Mets managerial job.
Voter perspectives vary: CBS Sports' Matt Snyder (second-year voter) endorses Beltrán, Jones (elite defense, 434 HRs), Utley (Pujols-like peak), plus Pettitte and Buehrle for longevity, but skips PED-linked Rodríguez and Ramírez. Mike Axisa similarly supports Beltrán's five-tool prime (2003-11: .283/.371/.511, 131 OPS+), Jones, Utley, Abreu, and newcomers Hamels and Hernández, extending grace to punished PED cases.
A Newsday reader poll of 448 ballots echoed splits, with a 75% threshold and up to 10 picks. Beltrán's PED-free resume highlights shifting Hall standards amid the ballot's strong outfield contention.