Former Houston Astros outfielder Carlos Beltrán has been elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame, the Baseball Writers’ Association of America announced Tuesday.
Elected in Fourth Year on the Ballot
Beltrán received 358 of 425 votes (84.2%), comfortably surpassing the 75% threshold required for induction. The nine-time All-Star was elected in his fourth year on the BBWAA ballot, alongside center fielder Andruw Jones. Both will be inducted on July 26, 2026, in Cooperstown, along with Jeff Kent, who was elected by the Contemporary Baseball Era Committee.
Beltrán’s election capped a steady rise in voting support after debuting at 46.5% in 2023, increasing to 57.1% in 2024, and 70.3% in 2025. His connection to the 2017 Astros sign-stealing scandal—the final season of his playing career—was widely viewed as a factor in the slower early progression, as Beltrán was the only player named in MLB’s investigation report.
A Career Built on Power, Speed, and Postseason Success
A switch-hitter, Beltrán was the 1999 American League Rookie of the Year with Kansas City and completed a 20-year career with a .279/.350/.486 slash line, 435 home runs, 2,725 hits, 312 stolen bases, and 1,587 RBIs. He is one of only five players in AL/NL history to record at least 500 doubles, 400 home runs, and 300 stolen bases, joining Willie Mays, Barry Bonds, Alex Rodriguez, and Andre Dawson.
Beltrán also built a strong postseason résumé, batting .307/.412/.609 with 16 home runs in 65 playoff games across seven franchises. He won a World Series championship with Houston in 2017 and an NL pennant with St. Louis in 2013.
Beltrán’s election may signal that the BBWAA does not view the sign-stealing scandal as disqualifying for future Hall of Fame consideration of other members of the 2017 Astros, including José Altuve, Alex Bregman, and Carlos Correa.
Hall of Fame Induction Weekend 2026 will run July 24–27, with the induction ceremony scheduled for July 26.
