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The Baseball Writers’ Association of America announced the 2025 Hall of Fame Class on Tuesday, with Ichiro Suzuki, CC Sabathia, Billy Wagner, Dick Allen and Dave Parker inducted.
So that leaves the natural question—who’s next?
The 2026 ballot will feature an incredibly weak group of first-time candidates for voters, while there are plenty of intriguing names who weren’t inducted this year but still present a very strong case. We’ll review some of the top options below.
Hamels probably presents the best case among the newcomers, but he certainly won’t be a first-ballot selection. The four-time All-Star has a World Series title, NLCS MVP and World Series MVP to his name, finishing his career with 163 wins, a 3.43 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 2,560 strikeouts.
He also had a 7-6 record with 3.41 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 93 strikeouts in the postseason across 17 appearances (16 starts).
Hamels was an excellent pitcher in his career. Whether he was one of the truly elite players of his generation, however, is debatable. He’ll make for an interesting conversation in the years to come.
Braun’s résumé—which includes being the NL Rookie of the Year in 2007, the NL MVP in 2011, a six-time All-Star and five-time Silver Slugger—probably doesn’t matter when considering his Hall of Fame case given his admitted PED use.
The Hall hasn’t looked favorably among PED users, or those connected to PED scandals. Just ask Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens and Mark McGwire. Braun was never close to the level those players reached in his career—he isn’t getting in.
Other potential options: Matt Kemp, Rick Porcello, Alex Gordon, Shin Shoo-Choo, Edwin Encarnación, Hunter Pence, Nick Markakis
Abreu was a .291 hitter for his career with an impressive .870 OPS, 2,470 hits and 400 steals. But he was never one of the truly elite players of his generation. Given some of the other players to follow, he doesn’t seem likely to reach the Hall, at least not in 2026.
The main argument for Jones is that he was the best defensive center-fielder of his generation, winning 10 Gold Glove awards during his career. He wasn’t a slouch at the plate either, with 434 home runs, a .823 OPS and five All-Star Game appearances. But his very strong case is headlined by his defensive acumen.
Alex Rodriguez and Manny Ramírez
We won’t mince words—both would have been first-ballot Hall of Famers without their ties to PED scandals. Don’t expect either to overcome that stain on their legacy.
Between the 2005-10 seasons, Utley was unquestionably the best second baseman in the sport, earning five of his six All-Star Game selections during that time.
While his overall career numbers don’t jump off the page—259 career home runs, a .275 batting average and .823 OPS—he had five seasons with 20 or more home runs, four seasons with 100 or more RBI and eight seasons with double-digit steals. His power numbers, in particular, are impressive given his position.
Utley will be a polarizing candidate, but his career peak makes him a worthy candidate.
Beltrán’s involvement in the infamous Houston Astros’ sign-stealing scandal is a mark against him, but his résumé includes an AL Rookie of the Year award, nine All-Star appearances, three Gold Gloves, two Silver Sluggers, a World Series title, 435 career home runs, 312 stolen bases and a .837 OPS.
He seems likely to eventually get in.
Rollins is a one-time champion and MVP, a three-time Gold Glover and a three-time All-Star. His 2007 MVP season is the stuff of legend, when he hit .296 with 30 homers, 94 RBI, 41 stolen bases and a .896 OPS, leading the National League in runs (139) and triples (20).
Rollins never had another season quite like that one, however, and his overall career numbers are unlikely to move voters.
Pettitte was 256-153 in his career with a 3.85 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 2,448 strikeouts in his career, earning three All-Star Game bids and five World Series titles.
He made 44 postseason appearances, all starts, going 19-11 with a 3.81 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 183 strikeouts. On pure numbers alone, he offers a fairly similar résumé to Hamels, though his win totals and World Series titles make him an interesting case going forward.
Buehrle was 214-160 in his 16-year career with a 3.81 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, 1,870 strikeouts, five All-Star Game appearances, four Gold Gloves and a World Series title. His postseason résumé isn’t as comprehensive as Pettitte or Hamels, as he went 2-1 in six career playoff appearances with a 4.11 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 16 strikeouts.
But his regular season numbers merit him serious consideration in the years to come.
Other eligible options: Félix Hernández, Omar Vizquel, Dustin Pedroia, Francisco Rodríguez, David Wright, Torii Hunter,