Three players who once took the field for the Cincinnati Reds are eligible for selection to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2026.The Hall of Fame ballot for 2026 was released Monday, with 12 first-time candidates joining 15 players who have previously been on the ballot.Among the 12 newcomers are three former Reds – outfielder Shin-Soo Choo, infielder Edwin Encarnacion and outfielder Matt Kemp.Two of the three – Choo and Kemp – played just one season in Cincinnati, with Choo’s stint with the Reds much more successful.Choo spent the 2013 season with the Reds after being traded from Cleveland, hitting .285 with a .423 on-base percentage, 21 home runs and 162 hits as the Reds’ primary leadoff hitter and center fielder. He finished 12th in NL MVP voting.For his career, Choo played 16 seasons, including seven each with Cleveland and Texas. He hit 218 career home runs with 34.7 WAR.Kemp was traded to the Reds ahead of the 2019 season as part of the deal that also brought outfielder Yasiel Puig to Cincinnati.It was a short stint in the Queen City for Kemp, however, who played just 20 games, posted -1.0 WAR and had 12 hits in 62 plate appearances.Kemp’s best years as a professional came with the Los Angeles Dodgers, with whom he hit .292 with 203 home runs and had two top-10 MVP finishes across 10 seasons.Encarnacion began his career with the Reds as a 22-year-old in 2005, playing five seasons with the Reds with 71 home runs and .793 OPS. Like Kemp, Encarnacion’s best seasons came away from the Reds, with Encarnacion hitting 239 home runs and driving in 679 runs with the Toronto Blue Jays from 2009-16.All three of the former Reds likely face long odds of making it to the next round of balloting in 2027.Outfielders Carlos Beltran and Andruw Jones are the top two returning vote getters from the 2025 ballot and have strong odds to be elected in 2026.

CINCINNATI —

Three players who once took the field for the Cincinnati Reds are eligible for selection to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2026.

The Hall of Fame ballot for 2026 was released Monday, with 12 first-time candidates joining 15 players who have previously been on the ballot.

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JUST IN: the new ballot for the Baseball Hall of Fame Class of 2026!

12 first-time candidates join 15 holdovers. A player must receive 75% of votes from the BBWAA for election.

Results will be announced Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026. pic.twitter.com/yjFDRQsaA5

— MLB (@MLB) November 17, 2025

Among the 12 newcomers are three former Reds – outfielder Shin-Soo Choo, infielder Edwin Encarnacion and outfielder Matt Kemp.

Two of the three – Choo and Kemp – played just one season in Cincinnati, with Choo’s stint with the Reds much more successful.

Choo spent the 2013 season with the Reds after being traded from Cleveland, hitting .285 with a .423 on-base percentage, 21 home runs and 162 hits as the Reds’ primary leadoff hitter and center fielder. He finished 12th in NL MVP voting.

For his career, Choo played 16 seasons, including seven each with Cleveland and Texas. He hit 218 career home runs with 34.7 WAR.

Kemp was traded to the Reds ahead of the 2019 season as part of the deal that also brought outfielder Yasiel Puig to Cincinnati.

It was a short stint in the Queen City for Kemp, however, who played just 20 games, posted -1.0 WAR and had 12 hits in 62 plate appearances.

Kemp’s best years as a professional came with the Los Angeles Dodgers, with whom he hit .292 with 203 home runs and had two top-10 MVP finishes across 10 seasons.

Encarnacion began his career with the Reds as a 22-year-old in 2005, playing five seasons with the Reds with 71 home runs and .793 OPS.

Like Kemp, Encarnacion’s best seasons came away from the Reds, with Encarnacion hitting 239 home runs and driving in 679 runs with the Toronto Blue Jays from 2009-16.

All three of the former Reds likely face long odds of making it to the next round of balloting in 2027.

Outfielders Carlos Beltran and Andruw Jones are the top two returning vote getters from the 2025 ballot and have strong odds to be elected in 2026.