Nick Markakis headlines the newcomers to the 2026 Baseball Hall of Fame ballot, joining 11 other first-time candidates in what’s shaping up to be an interesting year for voters.
The former Orioles and Braves outfielder put together a solid 15-year career that’ll get plenty of attention, even if his Cooperstown chances seem pretty slim. Markakis played in 2,154 games and finished with 33.7 WAR, 189 homers, and a .781 OPS across his time in Baltimore (2006-14) and Atlanta (2015-20).
What Markakis lacked in star power, he made up for with consistency and defense.
The right fielder earned three Gold Gloves during his career, including a pair with Baltimore in 2011 and 2014. That’s the kind of steady, reliable play that made him a fan favorite, especially in Baltimore where he spent nine seasons anchoring the outfield during some lean years.
And those were some pretty lean years. Outside of two postseason appearances – including that 2014 ALCS run where Kansas City swept the Orioles – Baltimore routinely finished near the bottom of the AL standings during Markakis’ tenure.
The Hall of Fame math isn’t kind to players like Markakis. You need 75% of the vote for election and at least 5% to stick around for another year. With nearly 2,400 hits but just one All-Star appearance and minimal MVP consideration, he’s likely looking at a short stay on the ballot.
The Rest of the First-Time Class
Markakis joins an interesting group of newcomers that includes some familiar names. The pitching contingent features Gio Gonzalez, Rick Porcello, and Cole Hamels – with Hamels probably having the best shot among that group.
The position players tell a story of the 2010s era pretty well. You’ve got Ryan Braun, Matt Kemp, and Hunter Pence from the outfield, plus infielders Howie Kendrick, Daniel Murphy, and Edwin Encarnacion. Shin-Soo Choo and Alex Gordon round out the outfield group.
That’s where Markakis fits in – among players who had good careers but probably fall short of Cooperstown standards. The difference is Baltimore fans won’t forget what he meant to their franchise during some tough seasons.
The Orioles certainly haven’t forgotten. They inducted Markakis into their team Hall of Fame last summer, recognizing the kind of player who might not make it to Cooperstown but earned a permanent place in franchise history. Sometimes that’s just as meaningful.
