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. As fans eagerly await the announcement, two prominent center fielders, Carlos Beltran and Andruw Jones, are in the spotlight, hoping to join Jeff Kent, elected last December, in the Class of 2026.
This year’s ballot raises eyebrows due to its perceived lack of star power. The 2026 ballot features 27 players with a combined 1,282 WAR (Wins Above Replacement), a stark contrast to the 2013 ballot, which had 37 candidates totaling 1,672 WAR. Notably, only Cole Hamels, a newcomer with over 50 career WAR, stands out this year.
The stakes are high: a player must receive 75% of the votes to be elected, while just 5% is needed to stay on the ballot. Writers can select a maximum of 10 players, and candidates have 10 years to make their case.
Last year, Beltran garnered 70.3% of the votes, while Jones followed closely with 66.2%. Currently, polling data from Ryan Thibodaux’s Hall of Fame tracker shows Beltran at 89.2% and Jones at 83.5% of publicly revealed ballots. However, both players could face last-minute changes, as history suggests polling percentages can drop before the final announcement.
This year’s ballot comes at a critical time for center fielders, who are underrepresented in the Hall. Only four center fielders—Willie Mays, Andre Dawson, Kirby Puckett, and Ken Griffey Jr.—are enshrined, raising questions about the voting criteria for this position.
Beltran boasts an impressive career with 70.0 WAR, ranking fourth among center fielders since 1960, alongside his remarkable statistics: 435 home runs, 2,725 hits, and 1,587 RBIs. Conversely, Jones, with 62.7 WAR, relies heavily on defense metrics, placing him seventh among his peers.
Another candidate to watch is Chase Utley, who is showing promising momentum with 67.9% support on public ballots, up from 39.8% last year. This is only Utley’s third year on the ballot, and his performance may signal a shift in voter preferences towards valuing peak performance over longevity.
With Cole Hamels making his ballot debut today, his credentials include 163 career wins and a 57.9 WAR. His success in the 2008 World Series adds to his case, although he faces competition from other notable pitchers like Felix Hernandez and Andy Pettitte.
As the clock ticks down to the announcement, fans are left wondering: Will this be a breakthrough year for Beltran and Jones? Or will history repeat itself with another year of uncertainty for center fielders?
Stay tuned for the latest updates on the Hall of Fame voting results as they unfold this evening.
