UPDATE: The highly anticipated Hall of Fame voting results from the Baseball Writers’ Association of America will be revealed today at 6 p.m. ET. Fans are eager to know if center fielders Carlos Beltran and Andruw Jones will secure their spots in the prestigious Class of 2026, alongside the recently elected Jeff Kent.
This ballot is reportedly one of the weakest in recent years, with only Cole Hamels as the sole newcomer boasting over 50 career WAR. The 2026 ballot features 27 players with a combined 1,282 WAR, a stark comparison to the 2013 ballot that had 37 candidates worth 1,672 WAR. That year, despite the abundance of talent, no one was elected.
As anticipation builds, experts are closely tracking the results. A player needs to receive votes on 75% of ballots to be elected, while 5% is required to stay on the ballot for future consideration. Writers can vote for a maximum of 10 players, and candidates remain eligible for 10 years.
Last year, Beltran garnered 70.3% of the votes in his third year on the ballot, while Jones received 66.2% in his eighth year. Current polling indicates Beltran at 89.2% and Jones at 83.5% on publicly revealed ballots. However, the final results may still surprise, as both players experienced significant drops in their percentages last year.
This year marks a critical moment for center fielders, a position notably underrepresented in the Hall. Only four center fielders, including legends like Willie Mays and Ken Griffey, are currently enshrined, raising questions about the voting bias towards other positions.
Beltran’s credentials are impressive, with a career WAR of 70, ranking fourth among center fielders since 1960. His stats include 435 home runs, 2,725 hits, and 1,587 RBIs. In contrast, Jones, while defensively skilled, has a career WAR of 62.7, making his election less certain.
Another player to watch is Chase Utley, who is polling at 67.9%, showing promise for his third year on the ballot. His trajectory mirrors that of Todd Helton, who was recently elected after a slow start.
Additionally, Cole Hamels enters the ballot as a notable figure from the 2008 World Series champion Philadelphia Phillies, boasting 57.9 career pitching WAR. As the voting unfolds, Hamels’ case raises questions about evolving standards for starting pitchers in the Hall.
The outcomes of today’s announcement will not only shape the careers of these players but could also impact the future of Hall of Fame voting criteria, particularly regarding peak performance versus career longevity.
As the clock ticks down to the announcement, baseball fans and analysts alike await the results that could redefine the Hall of Fame landscape. Stay tuned for updates as the results unfold!
