They will be joined by Jeff Kent<\/a>, who was elected last month by the Contemporary Baseball Era (Veterans) Committee. Together, the three players form one of the most balanced Hall of Fame classes in recent years.<\/p>\n Carlos Beltr\u00e1n led all candidates in the 2026 voting. He received 358 votes, which represented 84.2 percent of the ballots cast. This was his fourth year on the ballot, and his election was never in doubt.<\/p>\n Beltr\u00e1n played 20 seasons in Major League Baseball. He finished his career with a .279 batting average, 435 home runs, and 1,587 runs batted in. He played for seven teams and made an impact everywhere he went.<\/p>\n Beltr\u00e1n was also an elite all-around player. He was selected to nine All-Star teams and won three Gold Glove Awards. He combined power, speed, and defense in a way few players of his era could match.<\/p>\n His postseason r\u00e9sum\u00e9 separates him from most Hall of Famers. In 65 playoff games, Beltr\u00e1n hit .307 with a 1.021 OPS. He hit 16 home runs and drove in 42 runs. His 2004 postseason remains legendary, as he became the only player in MLB history to hit at least four home runs in two different playoff series in the same year.<\/p>\n Andruw Jones was elected in his ninth year on the ballot<\/a>. He received 333 votes, which accounted for 78.4 percent of the electorate. His election capped a long climb that reflected growing appreciation for defensive greatness.<\/p>\n Jones is widely viewed as the best defensive center fielder in baseball history. He won 10 Gold Glove Awards and led the league in putouts six times. His range and instincts changed how the position was played.<\/p>\n Jones was also a dangerous hitter. He finished his career with 434 home runs. In 2005, he led the National League with 51 home runs and 128 RBI. That season, he finished second in MVP voting behind Albert Pujols<\/a>.<\/p>\n Jones also delivered in the postseason. He hit .273 across 18 playoff series with the Atlanta Braves<\/a> and New York Yankees<\/a>. He consistently performed on baseball\u2019s biggest stage. Jones will become the first player born in Curacao to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. <\/span><\/p>\n Jeff Kent completes the Class of 2026 after earning election through the Veterans Committee.<\/p>\n Kent is the all-time home run leader among second basemen. Over his career, he hit 377 home runs. He won the National League MVP Award in 2000 with the San Francisco Giants<\/a> and earned five All-Star selections.<\/p>\n For years, Kent fell just short in BBWAA voting. His eventual election reflects a better understanding of how rare his offensive production was at a premium defensive position.<\/p>\n Several other candidates made progress in the 2026 voting.<\/p>\n Chase Utley<\/a> appeared on 59.1 percent of ballots and remains on a strong Hall of Fame trajectory<\/a>. Andy Pettitte<\/a> and F\u00e9lix Hern\u00e1ndez<\/a> also made notable gains. Hern\u00e1ndez, in particular, showed strong momentum in just his second year on the ballot.<\/p>\n Alex Rodr\u00edguez<\/a> and Manny Ram\u00edrez<\/a> continued to receive support but remained well short of the election. Cole Hamels<\/a> stood out as the only first-year candidate to receive enough votes to stay on future ballots.<\/p>\nCarlos Beltr\u00e1n: A Complete Hall of Fame Career<\/h2>\n
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Andruw Jones: The Gold Standard in Center Field<\/h2>\n
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Jeff Kent: Power at Second Base, Finally Recognized<\/h2>\n
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Key Takeaways From the 2026 Ballot<\/h2>\n
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A More Selective Election<\/h2>\n