The 2026 BBWAA Hall of Fame Ballot
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By Rob Olds
The North Texas Sports Blog
December 25, 2025
Before diving into an analysis of the 2026 BBWAA Hall of Fame ballot, it’s important to understand how the voting process works — from who is eligible to cast a ballot, to when votes are submitted, and the threshold players must reach to achieve baseball immortality.
ELIGIBILITY RULES FOR BBWAA VOTERS
Membership Requirement
To be eligible to vote for players on the Hall of Fame ballot, a person must be a member of the Baseball Writers’ Association of America (BBWAA) with at least 10 consecutive years of covering Major League Baseball. These voters must be registered BBWAA members in good standing, and their names (but not individual ballots) are made public when results are announced.
Grace Period
Retired writers can retain voting rights for up to 10 years after leaving the beat.
Registration & Conduct
Voters must complete a registration form and sign a code of conduct to participate.
VOTING PROCESS
Ballots are mailed to eligible BBWAA members in November. Each voter can select up to 10 players they deem worthy of induction. Their ballots must be signed and returned by December 31.
To gain election to the Hall of Fame, players must receive votes on at least 75% of the ballots cast. Players need at least 5% of votes to remain eligible for future years.
2025 BBWAA Ballots
In the 2025 election, 394 BBWAA members cast ballots. Ichiro Suzuki (99.7%), CC Sabathia (86.8%), and Billy Wagner (82.5%) were elected.
Voting History
The BBWAA has conducted Hall of Fame elections since 1936, and annually since 1966.
BBWAA VOTING CRITERIA
Voters must consider the following:
Player’s record: Career achievements, milestones, and statistical accomplishments.
Playing Ability: Skill level, dominance, and consistency across seasons.
Integrity: Honesty and adherence to the rules of the game.
Sportsmanship: Respect for opponents, teammates, and the spirit of competition.
Character: Off-field conduct and reputation, often debated in cases involving PEDs or controversies.
Contributions to teams: Leadership, postseason impact, and role in team success.
HALL OF FAME ERA COMMITTEES
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The Hall of Fame Era Committees—formerly known as the Veterans Committee—serve as an essential second-chance pathway for players, managers, umpires, and executives who are no longer eligible for BBWAA voting. These committees evaluate candidates whose greatest contributions occurred in specific historical periods, now divided into two major time frames: the Contemporary Baseball Era (1980–present) and the Classic Baseball Era (pre‑1980, including Negro Leagues and pre‑Negro Leagues stars). Each committee consists of 16 members, including Hall of Famers, executives, and veteran media members, and meets on a rotating three‑year cycle during the MLB Winter Meetings to consider a ballot of eight candidates. Election requires at least 75% support (12 of 16 votes), and the committees have collectively elected more than 180 individuals since their inception in 1937. Their role is to ensure that overlooked or era‑specific contributors receive proper consideration, helping preserve the full historical legacy of the game.
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On December 7, 2025, Jeff Kent earned election to the Hall of Fame via the Contemporary Baseball ERA Committee.
Contemporary ERA Hall of Fame Voting Results
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Jeff Kent - 14 of 16 votes (88%)
Carlos Delgado - 9 of 16 votes (56.3%)
Don Mattingly - 6 of 16 votes (37.5%)
Dale Murphy - 6 of 16 votes (37.5%)
Barry Bonds (Less than 5 votes)
Roger Clemens (Less than 5 votes)
Gary Sheffield (Less than 5 votes)
Fernando Valenzuela (Less than 5 votes)
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My Approach To Hall of Fame Voting
Being a Hall of Famer and achieving baseball immortality means joining the ranks of the greatest to ever play the game. This needs to mean something. While there are players currently in Cooperstown whose inclusion I question (a topic I’ll save for another post), my standard remains rooted in the legends: Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Ted Williams, Ty Cobb, Mickey Mantle, Hank Aaron, Willie Mays, and Stan Musial. Even though the game has changed dramatically over the past 75 years, my approach is the same — players elected to Cooperstown should dominate their era, and their greatness should stand shoulder to shoulder with the icons of baseball’s past.
Historically, milestones like 3,000 strikeouts and 300 wins for pitchers, or 3,000 hits and 500 home runs for hitters, have served as near-automatic tickets to the Hall. Add in benchmarks like 1,650 RBI and 500–600 doubles, and you have the traditional markers of immortality. But the modern game has shifted. Pitch counts, bullpen specialization, and velocity-driven approaches have made it harder for starters to accumulate the old “workhorse” numbers. Today, voters weigh efficiency, rate stats, and advanced metrics like WAR more heavily, meaning a pitcher with 200 wins might now be viewed as the equivalent of a 300-win arm from decades past. Relievers, too, are gaining traction in Hall of Fame conversations.
As a baseball historian, I don’t necessarily like these changes. The 100-pitch limit, for example, feels like a fallacy — it doesn’t account for the intensity of pitches or the stress on a pitcher’s arm. Injuries haven’t declined; Tommy John surgeries have risen to affect more than a third of drafted pitchers, and flexor tendon injuries remain common. In this environment, my evaluation leans more on “hardware”: MVPs, Cy Youngs, and league-leading seasons in major categories. Awards and dominance against peers may matter as much as raw totals.
Do I favor electing fewer players each year? Not necessarily. What I want is for induction to remain appropriately difficult — reserved for those who accomplished extraordinary things, dominated their era, and built résumés that stand the test of time. Out of more than 22,000 players to appear in Major League Baseball, only 279 have been inducted into the Hall of Fame. That’s how it should be. Cooperstown should be tough to reach, because true greatness is extraordinarily rare. And when a player achieves it, they deserve to be immortalized.
Carlos Beltran
4th YOB/70.3% of vote in 2025: From 1998-2017, played for NYM, KCR, NYY, STL, HOU, TX, and SFG. Key stats include 2,725 hits, 435 HR, 1,587 RBI, .279 BA, .350 OBP.
Analysis: Had 70.1 career WAR; was a 9-time All-Star; won 3 Gold Gloves and 2 Silver Slugger Awards; stats are very similar to those of Hall of Famer Andre Dawson.
HOF Vote: Yes
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Andruw Jones
9th YOB/66.2% in 2025: From 1996-2012, played for ATL, NYY, CHW, TEX, LAD. Key stats include 1,933 hits, 434 HR, 1,289 RBI, 1,204 runs, .252 BA, and a .337 OBP.
Analysis: 10 Gold Gloves, 5-time All-Star; had 1,500 runs/1,500 RBI; had 500 2B/400 HR/300 SB.
Hall of Fame Vote: Yes
Chase Utley
3rd YOB/39.8% in 2025: From 2003-2018, played for PHI and LAD. Key stats include 1,885 hits, 259 HR, 1,025 RBI, .275 BA, and 1,103 runs.
Analysis: Utley’s Hall of Fame case lacks the sustained production and counting stats traditionally expected of Cooperstown second basemen. His late‑career decline left him with modest totals in hits, RBI, and All‑Star selections compared to other inductees at his position. His candidacy falls short of the Hall’s historical standards.
Hall of Fame Vote: No
Alex Rodriguez
5th YOB/37.1% in 2025: From 1994-2016, played for NYY and SEA. Key stats include 3,115 hits, 696 HR, 2,086 RBI, 2,021 runs, .295 BA, and .380 OBP.
Analysis: 14-time All-Star; 3-time MVP winner; won 1996 AL batting title with .358 average; hit 50+ HR 3 times.
HOF Vote: No – Tested positive for PEDs in 2003 and was suspended in relation to Biogenesis.
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Manny Ramirez
10th YOB/34.3% in 2025: From 1993-2011, played for BOS, CLE, LAD, CHW, TBR. Key stats include 555 HR/1,831 RBI/1,544 runs/.312 BA/.411 OBP.
Analysis: 12-time All-Star/Led AL in 2002 with a .349 BA/Finished top 5 in MVP voting 3 times.
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​Ramirez is one of the most clear-cut offenders of MLB's performance-enhancing drug policy, having being suspended on two separate occasions. While he undoubtedly put up Hall of Fame-worthy numbers during his career, it cannot be denied that he gained an enormous competitive advantage by breaking the rules that were designed to protect the integrity of the game. It is my hope that Ramirez never gains induction into Cooperstown. Electing him would further erode the Hall's credibility and compound the mistakes of the past.
HOF Vote: No
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Andy Pettitte
8th YOB/27.9% in 2025: From 1995-2013, played for NYY/HOU: Key stats include W 256 L 153/3.85 ERA/26 CG/4 SHO/2,448 Ks in 3,316 IP/9 seasons of 4.00 or higher ERA; 19-11 with 3.81 ERA in 44 G in Postseason.
Analysis: Part of 5 WS Champ teams/256 wins are a solid total/admitted use of PEDs/3-time All-Star/no Cy Young Awards.
Hall of Fame Vote: No
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Felix Hernandez
2nd YOB/20.6% in 2025: From 2005-2019, played for SEA: Key stats include W 169 L 136/3.42 ERA/2,524 Ks in 2,729.2 IP/25 CG/11 SHO.
Analysis: Won CYA in 2010 (13-12, 2.27 ERA, 232 Ks in 249.2 IP/Went 19-5 with 2.49 ERA in 2009).
Hall of Fame Vote: No
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Bobby Abreu
7th YOB/19.5% in 2025: From 1996-2014, played for PHI/LAA/NYY/HOU/LAD/NYM: Key stats include .291 BA/2,470 H/288 HR/1,363 RBI/.395 OBP/400 SB.
Analysis: 2-time All-Star/achieved multiple 20 HR/20 SB seasons; had two 30/30 seasons/lacks accolades/numbers were inflated by playing in high-offense era/had minimal playoff impact.
Hall of Fame Vote: No
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Jimmy Rollins
5th YOB/18.0% in 2025: From 2000-2016, played for PHI/LAD/CHW: Key stats include 2,455 H/511 2Bs/231 HR/936 RBI/.264 BA/470 SB/.324 OBP.
Analysis: Won NL MVP in 2007, PHI franchise leader in hits (2,306) and doubles (479); one of five SS with 2,000 H/200 HR.
Hall of Fame Vote: No
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Omar Vizquel
9th YOB/17.8% in 2025: From 1989-2012, played for CLE/SEA/SFG/CHW/TEX/TOR: Key stats include 2,877 H/1,445 R/456 2Bs/951 RBI/.272 BA/.336 OBP.
Analysis: Defensive wizard/11 Gold Gloves/underwhelming offensive numbers/domestic abuse allegations, which he denied.
Hall of Fame Vote: No
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Dustin Pedroia
2nd YOB/11.95 in 2025: From 2006-2019, played for BOS: Key stats include 1,805 H/.299 BA/922 R/140 HR/725 RBI.
Analysis: 2007 AL ROY and MVP in 2008; injuries cut career short.
Hall of Fame Vote: No
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Mark Buehrle
6th YOB/11.4% in 2025: From 2000-2015, played for CHW/TOR/MIA; Key stats include W 214 L 160/3.81 ERA/33 CG/10 SHO/1,870 K/3,472 H allowed in 3,283.1 IP.
Analysis: 5-time All-Star/4 Gold Gloves/14 consecutive seasons with 200+ IP/threw perfect game and no-hitter with CHW/no CYA/few Top 5 finishes/high career ERA (3.81).
Hall of Fame Vote: No
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Francisco Rodriguez
4th YOB/10.2% in 2025: From 2002-2017, played for LAA/MIL/NYM/DET/BAL: Key stats include W 52 L 53/2.86 ERA/1,142 K/738 H in 976 IP/437 SV/10.5 K/9 IP.
Analysis: Led AL in SV 3 times with a high of 62 in 2008 (single season record); played key role in LAA 2002 WS win; incidents of assault and domestic abuse impact reputation and voter perception negatively.
Hall of Fame Vote: No
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David Wright
3rd YOB/8.1% in 2025: From 2004-2018, played for NYM: Key stats include 1,777 H/390 2B/242 HR/970 RBI/.296 BA/.333 OBP.
Analysis: Injuries shortened career/7-time All-Star/2 Gold Gloves/2 Silver Slugger Awards.
Hall of Fame Vote: No
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Torii Hunter
6th YOB/5.1% in 2025: From 1997-2015, played for MIN/LAA/DET: Key stats include 2,452 H/.277 BA/353 HR/1,391 RBI/498 2B/195 SB/.331 OBP.
Analysis: 9 Gold Gloves/offensive numbers are solid but not elite compared to others in Hall of Fame/lacks WS titles.
Hall of Fame Vote: No
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Ryan Braun
From 2007-2020, played for MIL: Key stats include 1,963 H/352 HR/1,154 RBI/2007 ROY/2011 NL MVP with 33 HR/11 RBI/.332 BA; hit 41 HR and had 112 RBI in 2012.
Analysis: Below HOF standard numbers; admitted to steroid use in 2013/suspended 65 games.
Hall of Fame Vote: No
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Alex Gordon (1st YOB)
From 2007-2020, played for KCR: Key stats include 1,643 H/.257 BA/190 HR/749 RBI/.338 OBP/357 2B.
Analysis: 8 Gold Gloves/3-time All-Star/hit 45 doubles in 2011 and a league-leading 51 in 2012/hit .222 in 2015 WS (4x18) with 1 HR/3 RBI/3 R.
Gordon was a solid player, but his career numbers fall far short of Hall of Fame election.
Hall of Fame Vote: No
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Shin-Soo Choo (1st YOB)
From 2005-2020, played for TEX/CLE/SEA/CIN: Key stats include 1,671 H/218 HR/782 RBI/961 R/339 2B/.377 OBP.
Analysis: AL All-Star in 2018. Numbers are not Hall of Fame worthy; look for him to receive less than 5% of the vote and fall off the ballot.
Hall of Fame Vote: No
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Edwin Encarnacion (1st YOB)
From 2005-2020, played for TOR/CIN/CLE/SEA/CHW/NYY: Key stats include 1,832 hits/424 HR/1,261 RBI/370 2B/.350 OBP.
Analysis: lacks accolades and numbers are not Hall of Fame worthy.
Hall of Fame Vote: No
Howie Kendrick (1st YOB)
From 2006-2020, played for LAA/WSN/LAD/PHI: Key stats include 1,747 hits/.294 BA/127 HR/724 RBI/354 2B/.337 OBP.
Analysis: Solid player with .294 career BA, but numbers fall far short of Hall of Fame election; will likely receive less than 5% of vote.
Hall of Fame Vote: No
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Nick Markakis (1st YOB)
From 2006-2020, played for BAL/ATL: Key stats include 2,388 H/189 HR/1,046 RBI/.288 BA/.357 OBP/1,119 R.
Analysis: AL All-Star in 2018/3 Gold Gloves and 1 Silver Slugger.
Hall of Fame Vote: No
Hunter Pence (1st YOB)
From 2007-2020, played for SFG/HOU/PHI/TEX: Key stats include 1,791 H/244 HR/942 HR/324 2B/.334 OBP.
Analysis: 4-time All-Star; solid player who always gave 110%, showed good leadership, but numbers fall short.
Hall of Fame Vote: No
Gio Gonzalez (1st YOB)
From 2008-2020, played for WSN/OAK/MIL/CHW: Key stats include W 131 L 101/3.70 ERA/1,860 K in 1,933 IP/4 CG/2 SHO.
Analysis: reliable and dependable lefty starter, but numbers fall short for Hall of Fame election.
Hall of Fame Vote: No
Matt Kemp (1st YOB)
From 2006-2020, played for LAD/SDP/ATL/COL/CIN: Key stats include 1,808 H/.284 BA/287 HR/1,031 RBI/338 2B.
Analysis: 3-Time All-Star.
Hall of Fame Vote: No
Daniel Murphy (1st YOB)
From 2008-2020, played for NYM/WSN/COL/CHC: Key stats include 1,572 H/371 2B/138 HR/735 RBI/.296 BA/.341.
Analysis: 3-time All-Star.
Hall of Fame Vote: No
Rick Porcello (1st YOB)
From 2009-2020, played for DET/BOS/NYM: Key stats include W 150 L 125/1,561 K in 2,096.1 IP/10 CG/3 SHO.
Analysis: Won AL CYA in 2016 (22-4/3.15 ERA/189 K in 223 IP.
Hall of Fame Vote: No
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Potential 2026 BBWAA Voting Results
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Based on last year’s voting trends, the 2026 BBWAA Hall of Fame results are expected to produce at least one new inductee, with Carlos Beltrán standing as the most likely candidate to cross the 75 percent threshold after finishing just over 70 percent a year ago. Andruw Jones, now in his ninth year on the ballot, also appears to be within striking distance as his support has steadily climbed in recent cycles. Other returning candidates such as Chase Utley, Alex Rodríguez, and Manny Ramírez are projected to fall short, either due to lower vote totals or longstanding concerns that have limited their momentum. The newcomers on the ballot—headlined by Cole Hamels, Ryan Braun, and Edwin Encarnación—are not expected to make significant gains in their first year. Overall, the ballot appears poised for a one‑ or possibly two‑player class, depending on whether Jones can make a final push among undecided voters.
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