27 Players Named to 2026 Baseball Hall of Fame Ballot, Featuring 12 Newcomers

The Baseball Hall of Fame has unveiled its official ballot for the Class of 2026, featuring a total of 27 former players vying for induction into Cooperstown. As announced by MLB on social media, "> JUST IN: the new ballot for the Baseball Hall of Fame Class of 2026! 12 first-time candidates join 15 holdovers." The Baseball Writers' Association of America (BBWAA) will cast their votes, with results slated for announcement on Tuesday, January 20, 2026.

Headlining the 12 first-time eligible players are former Philadelphia Phillies ace Cole Hamels and 2011 National League MVP Ryan Braun. Hamels, a four-time All-Star and 2008 World Series MVP, concluded his career with a 163-122 record and a 3.43 ERA over 2,698 innings. Braun, who spent his entire 14-year career with the Milwaukee Brewers, earned the 2007 NL Rookie of the Year and the 2011 NL MVP, though his career was later impacted by a suspension for violating MLB's drug policy.

Among the 15 returning players from the 2025 ballot, Carlos Beltrán and Andruw Jones are strong contenders, having received 70.3% and 66.2% of the votes respectively last year, just shy of the 75% required for induction. Other notable holdovers include Alex Rodriguez and Manny Ramirez, both of whom have faced challenges due to past performance-enhancing drug use, despite their impressive career statistics. Chase Utley, who garnered 39.8% in 2025, also returns to the ballot.

Additional first-time candidates for 2026 include prominent names such as Edwin Encarnación, Alex Gordon, Howie Kendrick, Nick Markakis, Hunter Pence, Shin-Soo Choo, Gio González, Daniel Murphy, Rick Porcello, and Matt Kemp. Each player must receive votes on at least 75% of the ballots submitted by eligible BBWAA members to earn a place in the Hall of Fame. The induction ceremony for the Class of 2026 is scheduled for July 26 in Cooperstown, N.Y.