Carlos Beltran, Andruw Jones elected to Baseball Hall of Fame - ESPN

The center-field roster of the Baseball Hall of Fame grew deeper on Tuesday with the announcement that Carlos Beltran and Andruw Jones have been selected for induction.

Beltran was elected in his fourth year of eligibility after being named on 84.2% of the BBWAA ballots, easily clearing the 75% threshold for enshrinement. Jones was named on 78.4% of the ballots, just clearing the bar to earn election in his ninth and second-to-last year of eligibility.

Beltran and Jones join Jeff Kent, who was elected in December in the Contemporary Era Committee voting, in the Class of 2026.

Beltran, a nine-time All-Star and three-time Gold Glover, hit .279 during his 20-year career with 2,725 hits, 435 homers and 312 stolen bases. He is one of four players to reach 2,700 hits, 400 homers and 300 steals, joining Barry Bonds, Willie Mays and Alex Rodriguez.

The vote-getters in HOF voting for the Class of 2026. Two players reached the 75% election threshold (319 votes) from the 425 ballots cast.

Beltran becomes the fifth player born in Puerto Rico to be elected to the Hall, not including Edgar Martinez, who was born in New York but grew up and attended high school on the island.

Beltran, the 1999 AL Rookie of the Year with Kansas City, likely would have gotten in during his first year or two of eligibility if not for his association with the Houston Astros' sign-stealing scandal tracing back to their 2017 World Series-winning club. His election surely bodes well for other members of that squad who will eventually arrive on the ballot, such as Jose Altuve, Alex Bregman, Carlos Correa and George Springer.

Jones will become the first player born in Curacao to be inducted. Best remembered for the legendary defensive prowess he displayed