The 2026 MLB Hall of Fame ballot is stacked, and that’s putting it lightly. We’re looking at a class filled with big names, big moments, and big debates. With returning candidates like Alex Rodriguez, Carlos Beltrán, Andruw Jones, Manny Ramirez, Chase Utley, Andy Pettitte, David Wright, Dustin Pedroia, and Jimmy Rollins, plus a fresh crop of first-timers including Ryan Braun, Shin-Soo Choo, Edwin Encarnación, Félix Hernández, Cole Hamels, and Matt Kemp-there’s no shortage of star power.
"Hopefully this year he gets a chance to go into the Hall of Fame."
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) January 20, 2026
- Albert Pujols on Carlos Beltrán pic.twitter.com/FU49Wqncqr
But as always, the road to Cooperstown isn’t just about numbers. It’s about legacy, context, and in some cases, controversy.
Let’s start with the obvious: Alex Rodriguez and Manny Ramirez. Statistically, both are no-doubt Hall of Famers.
We're talking about generational talents-A-Rod with his 696 home runs and three MVP awards, Manny with one of the most feared right-handed bats of his era. But both carry the baggage of PED suspensions, and that continues to be the defining obstacle in their candidacy.
Fair or not, the Hall has drawn a hard line in the sand for players with ties to performance-enhancing drugs, and it’s made the path murky for even the most dominant players of their time.
Then there’s Carlos Beltrán, whose case is a bit more nuanced. His numbers are strong-435 home runs, over 300 stolen bases, and nearly 2,800 hits.
He was a nine-time All-Star, a three-time Gold Glove winner, and one of the most complete outfielders of his generation. The cloud hanging over Beltrán isn’t PEDs, but his involvement in the 2017 Astros sign-stealing scandal.
That’s kept voters hesitant, but the tide might finally be turning. Many around the game believe it’s time he gets the call.
One of those voices is Albert Pujols, who’s seen Beltrán up close for decades. The two go way back-before Pujols became one of the greatest right-handed hitters in history and before Beltrán became a postseason legend.
“Playing against Carlos was pretty impressive,” Pujols said. “Carlos not only hurt you with the bat, the guy could steal a bag and play great defense.
I knew Carlos for a long time, even before I got to the big leagues. I had a chance to work out with him in Kansas City when he was a young player.
He never changed. He had always been the same Carlos Beltrán.
Really dedicated, really disciplined about his work. That is why he had such a successful career.”
Pujols also pointed to one of the most electric Octobers in recent memory-2004-when Beltrán went on a tear with the Astros, and Pujols was leading the Cardinals on the other side.
“I remember when he was in Houston, and he had one of the best postseasons with myself on the other side,” Pujols recalled. “I had one of the best postseasons as well for the Cardinals, and we were going back and forth.
For Beltrán, what I respect the most was how we went at it. He played the game hard, with respect, with honor, and hopefully this year he gets a chance to go into the Hall of Fame.”
That kind of endorsement carries weight, especially coming from someone like Pujols, who’ll be a first-ballot Hall of Famer himself when his time comes.
Andy Pettitte and David Wright are two more names that stir up plenty of emotion. Pettitte, a five-time World Series champion and one of the most reliable postseason arms of his era, brings a resume that’s borderline but respected.
Wright, meanwhile, was the face of the Mets for over a decade and played the game with class and consistency. Injuries cut his career short, but his impact-both on and off the field-was undeniable.
Many believe it’s only a matter of time before both get in.
Among the first-time candidates, Félix Hernández stands out. "King Félix" was dominant at his peak, winning a Cy Young and piling up strikeouts with a devastating changeup and a bulldog mentality. While his career tapered off in the later years, his prime was as good as anyone’s.
Chase Utley and Jimmy Rollins, the heartbeat of those mid-2000s Phillies teams, bring compelling cases too. Utley, in particular, has gained traction as voters dig deeper into advanced metrics that highlight his all-around excellence. Rollins, with his MVP and Gold Gloves, was a spark plug and a leader.
Dustin Pedroia is another name that deserves a long look. He brought intensity, leadership, and elite defense to second base, and when healthy, was one of the best at his position. Injuries limited his longevity, but his peak was special.
And then there’s the rest of the first-timers-Ryan Braun, Edwin Encarnación, Shin-Soo Choo, Matt Kemp, and Cole Hamels-all players who had stretches of brilliance. Braun, like A-Rod and Manny, has PED ties that complicate his case, but his bat was a force during his prime.
Hamels, a World Series MVP, was a workhorse and a postseason hero. Kemp, at his best, was a five-tool threat and nearly won an MVP.
Last year, we saw CC Sabathia, Billy Wagner, and Ichiro Suzuki get their due and take their place in Cooperstown. This year’s class brings a different kind of debate-less about unanimous locks and more about how we define greatness in an era filled with both brilliance and baggage.
The Hall of Fame is about more than just stats-it’s about the story of baseball. And this year, the stories are as complex and compelling as ever.