Overview
- The 27-player slate features 12 first-time eligibles—headed by Cole Hamels, Ryan Braun and Matt Kemp—plus 15 holdovers.
- Carlos Beltrán, who received 70.3% in 2025, and Andruw Jones, at 66.2% entering his ninth year of eligibility, are the leading returnees.
- BBWAA rules require 75% for election and at least 5% to remain on future ballots, with induction scheduled for July 26 in Cooperstown.
- Voter calculus again includes disciplinary histories, with PED suspensions for Alex Rodríguez, Manny Ramírez (in his 10th and final year) and Braun, and Beltrán’s mention in MLB’s Astros sign-stealing report.
- A separate Contemporary Baseball Era Committee will vote Dec. 7 on eight candidates, including Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Don Mattingly, Dale Murphy, Carlos Delgado, Jeff Kent, Gary Sheffield and Fernando Valenzuela.