The baseball world turns its eyes to Cooperstown tonight as the 2026 Baseball Hall of Fame results are set to be unveiled at 6 p.m. ET. After a star-studded Class of 2025 featuring Ichiro Suzuki and Billy Wagner, this year’s BBWAA election results 2026 promise to reward patience. Carlos Beltrán and Andruw Jones enter the night as the heavy favorites to clear the 75% threshold, looking to join Contemporary Era Committee electee Jeff Kent in the MLB Hall of Fame Class of 2026.
Beltrán and Jones on the Brink of History
For Carlos Beltrán and Andruw Jones, tonight’s National Baseball Hall of Fame announcement represents the culmination of years of waiting. Tracking data suggests both sluggers are well-positioned to receive the call to the Hall.
Carlos Beltrán: The Switch-Hitting Superstar
Now in his fourth year on the ballot, Carlos Beltrán appears poised to finally punch his ticket to upstate New York. After receiving 70.3% of the vote in 2025, Beltrán has tracked consistently above 85% on public ballots this cycle. His resume is undeniable: 2,725 hits, 435 home runs, and 312 stolen bases. He remains one of only a handful of players in history to combine such power and speed, boasting a career 70.0 WAR.
While his involvement in the 2017 Houston Astros sign-stealing scandal initially delayed his entry, voters have increasingly shifted their focus back to his statistical dominance. If elected tonight, the Carlos Beltrán Hall of Fame narrative will finally shift from controversy to celebration of one of the greatest switch-hitters to ever play the game.
Andruw Jones: The Defensive Wizard's Time?
The Andruw Jones Cooperstown vote is the night's biggest nail-biter. In his ninth year of eligibility, the 10-time Gold Glove winner is tracking just above the borderline. Jones received 66.2% of the vote last year, and history suggests that players who cross the 65% mark almost always eventually gain induction. As arguably the greatest defensive center fielder of all time, combined with 434 career home runs, Jones has seen his support surge as modern metrics re-evaluate his defensive value.
Jeff Kent Leads the Class of 2026
Regardless of tonight's BBWAA numbers, the Cooperstown induction ceremony 2026 already has its first headliner. Former National League MVP Jeff Kent was elected by the Contemporary Baseball Era Committee in December 2025. The all-time leader in home runs by a second baseman, Kent finally received his due after falling off the writers' ballot. He will be honored alongside tonight's winners on July 26 in Cooperstown.
Other Names to Watch on the Ballot
Beyond the favorites, several other candidates are vying for position in future elections. Chase Utley has seen a significant jump in support in his third year, solidifying his trajectory toward eventual induction. Meanwhile, newcomer Cole Hamels and second-year candidate Félix Hernández are hoping to establish a strong baseline of support.
Conversely, this marks the final year of eligibility for Manny Ramirez. Despite his elite offensive numbers, two PED suspensions have kept him well below the election threshold, and he is expected to fall off the BBWAA ballot tonight, leaving his fate to future committees.
How to Watch the 2026 Hall of Fame Announcement
The official announcement will be broadcast live on MLB Network at 6 p.m. ET. As the envelopes are opened, fans will find out if the MLB Hall of Fame Class of 2026 will grow by two, or if the electorate delivers a surprise. For Beltrán and Jones, the long wait is nearly over.
