Carlos Beltran, Andruw Jones Elected to Hall of Fame as Pettitte, Utley, and King Félix Make Major Strides
The wait is over for Carlos Beltran and Andruw Jones. Both standout center fielders are headed to Cooperstown after being elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame by the writers' ballot. Their inductions mark a significant moment in Hall of Fame history-not just for their careers, but for what their elections say about how the voting process is evolving.
Beltran, one of the most complete postseason performers of his generation, and Jones, a defensive maestro with prodigious power, each carved out unique legacies. For Beltran, it took a little longer than expected, likely due to his involvement in the 2017 Astros sign-stealing scandal. But with a 1.021 OPS across 15 postseason series and a resume packed with accolades, his case was always going to be too strong to ignore forever.
Jones, on the other hand, took the long road. This was his ninth year on the ballot, and he finally cleared the 75 percent threshold-14 votes over the line-after beginning his candidacy with just 7.3 percent support. His combination of elite center field defense and 434 career home runs has gradually won over voters, many of whom are newer to the process and perhaps more attuned to advanced metrics and defensive value.
They’ll be joined in this year’s Hall of Fame class by Jeff Kent, who was voted in last month by the Contemporary Baseball Era Committee.
Big Gains for Utley, Hernández, and Pettitte
While Beltran and Jones grabbed the headlines, several other names made serious moves toward potential future enshrinement.
Chase Utley, in just his third year on the ballot, surged to 59.1 percent-up nearly 20 points from last year. That’s a significant jump for the longtime Phillies second baseman, whose case has always been built on more than just counting stats. Utley’s blend of power, defense, and postseason pedigree is starting to resonate more loudly with voters, and with seven years of eligibility remaining, he’s trending firmly in the right direction.
Felix Hernández made the biggest leap of any player on the ballot. The former Mariners ace jumped from 20.6 percent to 46.1 percent in just his second year.
That’s a huge swing for a pitcher who was dominant at his peak but lacks the postseason résumé of some of his peers. Still, King Félix’s seven-year run of excellence-including a Cy Young Award and multiple All-Star nods-is gaining traction with voters, especially as the ballot begins to thin out.
Then there’s Andy Pettitte. The Yankees’ southpaw jumped from 27.9 percent to 48.5 percent-his largest year-over-year gain yet. But with just two years of eligibility remaining, time is running short.
Pettitte’s case is complicated. On one hand, he’s the all-time leader in postseason starts (44), a five-time World Series champion, and a key figure on eight pennant-winning teams.
On the other, his career ERA (3.85) and strikeout totals don’t quite stack up to Hall of Fame rotation-mates like CC Sabathia or Mike Mussina. And then there’s the HGH admission from 2002, which he addressed publicly and honestly, saying it was a one-time use to recover from an elbow injury-not to gain a competitive edge.
That transparency may have helped him avoid the harsher scrutiny other PED-linked players have faced, but it still lingers in some voters’ minds.
A-Rod, Abreu, and Others See Modest Movement
Alex Rodriguez remains stuck in neutral. Despite a Hall of Fame-caliber stat line, his multiple PED suspensions continue to cloud his candidacy. He ticked up slightly to 40 percent, but with five years down and five to go, he’s still a long way from Cooperstown.
Bobby Abreu, one of the most underrated hitters of his era, continues to make steady progress. His 10-year peak featured an OPS north of .900, and he climbed to 30.8 percent this year-up from 19.5. Dustin Pedroia (20.7 percent), Mark Buehrle (20 percent), and David Wright (14.8 percent) also saw encouraging gains, though they remain on the fringe of serious contention for now.
Cole Hamels, in his first year on the ballot, did enough to stick around, earning 23.8 percent. That’s a solid debut for the four-time All-Star and 2008 World Series MVP.
Looking Ahead: Posey and Lester Enter the Chat
Next year’s ballot brings some big names into the fold, most notably Buster Posey and Jon Lester.
Posey, the heart and soul of the San Francisco Giants’ dynasty, boasts a .302 career average, an MVP award, and three World Series rings. His career may not have been long, but it was decorated-and impactful. With Joe Mauer’s recent induction, Posey’s path looks promising.
Lester, a five-time All-Star and 200-game winner, also brings a strong case. He was a postseason warrior, with a 1.77 ERA in the World Series and three championship rings split between Boston and Chicago. His consistency and big-game performances could make him a compelling candidate.
Other first-time eligible players include Jake Arrieta, Ryan Zimmerman, Ervin Santana, Wade Davis, and Dexter Fowler, along with familiar names like Brett Gardner, Jay Bruce, Todd Frazier, Andrew Miller, JA Happ, and Starlin Castro.
Final Year for Ramirez, One Left for Vizquel
Manny Ramirez wrapped up his 10th and final year on the writers’ ballot with 38.8 percent-the highest total he received. Despite being one of the most feared hitters of his era, his multiple PED suspensions proved too much for voters to overlook. Ramirez will be eligible for the Contemporary Era ballot in 2028, where he’ll face the same uphill battle that Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens have encountered.
Omar Vizquel, once a rising candidate, now finds himself on the brink of falling off the ballot. He received just 18.4 percent this year, a steep drop from his peak of 52.6 percent, largely due to off-field allegations that have tarnished his post-playing reputation.
The Road to Cooperstown Is Still Wide Open
With Beltran and Jones now enshrined, the Hall of Fame picture continues to evolve. The influx of younger voters is clearly shifting the conversation-valuing peak performance, postseason impact, and advanced metrics in new ways.
For players like Utley, Hernández, and Pettitte, the next few years will be critical. And with Posey and Lester entering the mix, the 2027 ballot is already shaping up to be another fascinating chapter in the ongoing Hall of Fame debate.