Former Dodgers Could Join Jeff Kent in Hall of Fame

The 2026 Baseball Hall of Fame conversation is already heating up. Fans of the Los Angeles Dodgers are especially invested this time around.

With Jeff Kent officially elected and a crowded BBWAA ballot featuring several notable former Dodgers, the upcoming vote offers both celebration and debate. Let’s break down what Kent’s election means, which ex-Dodgers are on the ballot, and who’s got a real shot at Cooperstown.

Jeff Kent’s Hall of Fame Moment and Dodger Legacy

Jeff Kent’s election to the Hall of Fame by the Contemporary Baseball Era Committee on Dec. 7 marked a long-awaited honor for one of the most productive second basemen in baseball history. As the all-time home run leader at second base, Kent’s statistical resume always stood out.

Now he’ll be the first official member of the Class of 2026. Kent spent four of his final seasons with the Dodgers, a homecoming that carried personal meaning.

After years away, he cherished the chance to return to Southern California, where he grew up. He got to reconnect with family while finishing his career close to home.

A Career Defined by Power and Longevity

Kent is often associated with his MVP years elsewhere. Still, his time in Los Angeles added important chapters to a career defined by durability and power.

The 2026 BBWAA Ballot: Dodgers All Over the Conversation

The Baseball Writers’ Association of America released its 2026 ballot shortly after Kent’s election. It’s a field loaded with former Dodgers.

Among the 12 newcomers, Matt Kemp and Howie Kendrick both had notable stints in Los Angeles. The holdover list includes even more players with Dodger ties:

Understanding the Voting Rules

To gain induction, a player must appear on at least 75 percent of submitted ballots. Anyone getting less than 5 percent drops off the list, while others can stay up to 10 years.

With limited time left for several candidates, the pressure’s on.

Andruw Jones Leads the Dodger-Connected Candidates

Among former Dodgers, Andruw Jones appears to have the clearest path to Cooperstown. After receiving 66.2 percent of the vote in 2025, he enters 2026 with momentum and only two years of eligibility left.

Greatness Beyond Los Angeles

Jones built his reputation mostly with the Atlanta Braves. His short Dodger stint doesn’t take away from his overall case.

Elite defense, power, and longevity keep swaying voters his way. If you’re betting, he looks likely to get in soon.

Chase Utley and Mixed Results for Others

Chase Utley, remembered mostly as a Philadelphia Phillie, improved to 39.8 percent in just his second year on the ballot. His final seasons with the Dodgers from 2015 to 2018 added valuable context to a Hall-worthy career.

Stalled Momentum and Final Chances

Manny Ramirez (34.3%), Bobby Abreu (19.5%), and Jimmy Rollins (18%) made little progress. For Ramirez, 2026 is his last shot to gain support, so this vote matters more than ever.

First-Timers: Kemp and Kendrick Face Steep Odds

Matt Kemp, a 2003 Dodger draft pick, put up a stellar .292/.348/.494 line across 10 seasons in L.A. He narrowly missed the 2011 NL MVP award.

But injuries cut his prime short, making his Hall case a real question mark. Sometimes you wonder what could have been if he’d stayed healthy just a bit longer.

A Tough Debut Ballot

Howie Kendrick had some truly heroic postseason moments. That 2019 NLDS grand slam against the Dodgers? Unforgettable.

Still, his odds of sticking around on the ballot after his first year seem pretty slim.

The 2026 BBWAA Hall of Fame vote results will be revealed Jan. 20 on MLB Network. Another dramatic chapter for Cooperstown, right?

 
Here is the source article for this story: Which former Dodgers could join Kent in next HOF class?