Carlos Beltran, Andruw Jones Elected to Hall of Fame; Big Gains for Pettitte, Utley, and King Felix
The wait is over for Carlos Beltran. And for Andruw Jones, the climb is finally complete. On Tuesday, both standout center fielders earned their place in Cooperstown, elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame via the writers’ ballot.
Beltran and Jones weren’t the only names making headlines. This year’s results also marked significant progress for several players still chasing the 75% threshold, thanks in part to a wave of younger, first-time voters who are reshaping the conversation around what it means to be Hall-worthy.
Let’s break down the biggest movers, what their gains mean, and who’s on deck for 2027.
Chase Utley and Felix Hernandez Make Major Moves
Among the most notable risers, Chase Utley is now firmly in the Hall of Fame conversation. The longtime Phillies second baseman jumped to 59.1% in just his third year on the ballot-up nearly 20 points from last year’s 39.8%.
That kind of leap doesn’t happen by accident. Voters are clearly warming to Utley’s blend of elite postseason moments, all-around consistency, and positional value.
Right behind him is Felix Hernandez, who made the biggest jump of anyone on the ballot. “King Felix” climbed from 20.6% to 46.1% in just his second year of eligibility.
While Hernandez doesn’t have the October résumé to match some of his peers, his seven-year prime in Seattle was nothing short of electric. A Cy Young winner with a 2.80 ERA over that dominant stretch, Hernandez is gaining traction as voters increasingly value peak performance over longevity.
Both Utley and Hernandez have time on their side-seven and eight years of eligibility left, respectively. If their current momentum holds, Cooperstown could be calling sooner rather than later.
Andy Pettitte’s Postseason Pedigree Keeps Him in the Hunt
No one has pitched in more postseason games than Andy Pettitte. Forty-four starts.
Five World Series rings. Eight pennants.
The man was a fixture in October for over a decade, and that’s a big part of why his case continues to resonate with voters.
Pettitte made a sizable leap this year-from 27.9% to 48.5%-but he’s running out of runway, with just two years of eligibility remaining. Statistically, he stacks up reasonably well with Hall of Fame Yankees like CC Sabathia and Mike Mussina, though his 3.85 career ERA and lower strikeout totals leave him a notch below in traditional metrics.
Then there’s the PED wrinkle. Pettitte was named in the Mitchell Report, but his case has always been viewed differently.
He admitted to a brief use of HGH in 2002, citing recovery from an elbow injury. “I wasn’t looking for an edge.
I was looking to heal,” he said at the time. That honesty-and the limited nature of the incident-has helped him avoid the harsher judgment faced by others from the steroid era.
Still, 48.5% with two years left means Pettitte has work to do. The postseason legacy is undeniable. Whether it’s enough to sway the remaining voters remains to be seen.
Beltran and Jones: Two Center Fielders, Two Very Different Journeys
Carlos Beltran’s election comes in his fourth year on the ballot, with 84.2% of the vote. On paper, he was always a Hall of Famer-435 home runs, over 300 stolen bases, and a postseason OPS of 1.021 across 15 series. But his role in the 2017 Astros sign-stealing scandal cast a shadow over his candidacy early on.
Voters, it seems, have moved past it. Beltran’s all-around excellence, spanning two decades and multiple franchises, ultimately proved too impressive to ignore.
As for Andruw Jones, his journey has been a slow burn. He debuted on the ballot with just 7.3% of the vote.
Now, in his ninth year, he’s in with 78.4%-just 14 votes above the threshold. Jones’ case has always been built on elite defense (10 Gold Gloves) and rare power for a center fielder (434 home runs).
His peak was short, but spectacular. And after years of being overlooked, voters have come around on just how special he was in his prime.
They’ll be joined in Cooperstown by Jeff Kent, who was voted in last month by the Contemporary Baseball Era Committee.
Looking Ahead: Posey and Lester Highlight 2027 Ballot
Next year’s Hall of Fame ballot will bring some fresh intrigue, headlined by Buster Posey and Jon Lester.
Posey, a seven-time All-Star and three-time World Series champion with the Giants, brings a résumé that mirrors Joe Mauer’s in many ways. A career .302 hitter with an MVP award and a reputation as one of the best defensive catchers of his era, Posey’s case is strong despite a relatively short career behind the plate.
Lester, meanwhile, offers a compelling combination of regular-season durability and postseason excellence. A five-time All-Star and 200-game winner, Lester owns a 1.77 ERA in the World Series and was a key part of championship teams in both Boston and Chicago. His October record alone makes him a name to watch.
Also eligible next year: Jake Arrieta, Ryan Zimmerman, Ervin Santana, Wade Davis, Dexter Fowler, and a handful of former Yankees and Mets including Brett Gardner, Jay Bruce, Todd Frazier, Andrew Miller, JA Happ, and Starlin Castro.
Other Notable Risers and Fallers
- Alex Rodriguez continues to stall out at 40%, up just 2.9 points from last year. His numbers are undeniable, but the multiple steroid scandals and one-year suspension continue to weigh heavily on his candidacy.
- Bobby Abreu made a notable jump to 30.8% (from 19.5%).
His .900+ OPS during a 10-year prime is starting to get the recognition it deserves.
- Dustin Pedroia (20.7%), Mark Buehrle (20%), and David Wright (14.8%) also saw solid gains, though they remain long shots for now.
- Cole Hamels, in his first year on the ballot, cleared the 5% threshold with 23.8%-enough to stay in the mix.
Final Year for Ramirez, One Left for Vizquel
Manny Ramirez wrapped up his 10th and final year on the writers’ ballot with 38.8%-his highest mark yet, but still well short. His multiple PED suspensions have kept him out despite being one of the most feared hitters of his generation. Ramirez will next be eligible for the Contemporary Baseball Era ballot in 2028, where voters have so far shown little leniency for players linked to performance-enhancing drugs.
Omar Vizquel, once a rising candidate, now sits at 18.4% with one year left. Off-field allegations in recent years have derailed what was once a promising case based on elite defense and longevity.
**Bottom Line: The Hall of Fame conversation is evolving. ** Voters are increasingly weighing peak performance, postseason legacy, and context over just counting stats.
Beltran and Jones are now in. Utley, Hernandez, and Pettitte are closing the gap.
And with Posey and Lester entering the fray next year, the debates are only getting more interesting.