The 2025 Baseball Hall of Fame voting results have been announced, with Ichiro Suzuki, CC Sabathia, and Billy Wagner securing their spots in the Hall. Looking ahead to the 2026 ballot, there is much to learn from the final totals of the 2025 ballot.
Examining the 2025 results, we see that 10 players fell off the ballot due to low support, as they received less than 5% of the vote. Among them were Ian Kinsler, Russell Martin, Brian McCann, and others. Only Felix Hernandez and Dustin Pedroia managed to stay on the ballot for 2026.
Notable increases in support were seen for Carlos Beltran, Chase Utley, and Andy Pettitte, with each experiencing a significant rise in percentage points from the previous year. Despite Pettitte’s admission of PED usage, his support doubled from 2024 to 2025.
The identity of the voter who left Ichiro off the ballot remains unknown, as BBWAA voters have the option to keep their ballots private. Looking ahead, the Class of 2026 and beyond may face lean cycles, with fewer clear first-ballot Hall of Famers expected in the coming years.
Potential newcomers on the 2026 Hall of Fame ballot include Cole Hamels, Ryan Braun, and Shin-Soo Choo. As for the following years, names like Buster Posey, Albert Pujols, and Miguel Cabrera could make their debut on the ballot.
With intriguing candidates and the opportunity for players to build support over time, the upcoming Hall of Fame voting cycles promise to be captivating as aspiring inductees aim to secure their spot in baseball history.