The 2026 Baseball Hall of Fame ballot is somewhat lacking compared to previous years, though there are notable players that might enter in the future. Historically, previous ballots have often featured numerous future Hall of Famers, such as the 2014 ballot where 14 players made it to Cooperstown eventually.

Cole Hamels, leading the new entrant, is compelling; however, there’s a strong belief he may not make it. Common sentiment is that many might view Hamels as not quite Hall-worthy, despite reasonable arguments in his favor.

Over 15 seasons with the Philadelphia Phillies, Texas Rangers, Chicago Cubs, and Atlanta Braves, Hamels achieved a record of 163-122, with a 3.43 ERA and 2,560 strikeouts across 2,698 innings. As a four-time All-Star, Hamels appeared in the postseason 17 times with a 3.41 ERA.

He currently ranks 71st all-time among pitchers with a total 59.0 WAR. The debate touches on how many pitchers should be enshrined in the Hall, necessitating consideration of changing standards as the game evolves, particularly regarding the shift in pitchers’ roles in this era.

In this evolving dialogue, it seems there’s an increasing divide on who fits the Hall of Fame criteria; Hamels may just fit into that spectrum even if current narratives seem to suggest otherwise. His contributions to the game, culminating in solid postseason performances, should ensure he gets votes when the time comes. I will vote for Hamels this year.