Cooperstown, New York – The Baseball Writers’ Association of America (BBWAA) has revealed the official ballot for the 2026 Hall of Fame election. This includes a list of new candidates and returning veterans, promising an exciting vote.
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New Aspirants and Key Returns
The ballot for 2026 presents a combination of 12 new candidates and 15 former players who are being reconsidered, after having participated in the 2025 vote. The expectation is high, given the recent history of the BBWAA, which has selected three new members in each cycle, including notable figures such as Adrián Beltré, Joe Mauer, Ichiro Suzuki, and CC Sabathia, who were elected on their first attempt.Beltrán and Jones: Figures with More Support
Among the returning players, Carlos Beltrán and Andruw Jones stand out as the main contenders. Beltrán, in his third appearance, obtained 70.3% of the votes in the previous election, falling just short of the required threshold. Jones, for his part, has shown a notable progression in the voting, reaching 66.2% in 2025 and still with two years of eligibility.
Debut Candidates to Follow
The debutante group is led by left-handed pitcher Cole Hamels, who is emerging as a strong option for future votes. His career statistics, including 163 wins, an ERA of 3.43, and 2,560 strikeouts, position him in a favorable comparison with other pitchers on the ballot, such as Félix Hernández.- Ryan Braun
- Shin-Soo Choo
- Alex Gordon
- Matt Kemp
- Nick Markakis
- Hunter Pence
- Edwin Encarnación
- Howie Kendrick
- Daniel Murphy
- Gio González
- Rick Porcello
