Matt Kemp, Howie Kendrick among newcomers to Hall of Fame ballot

Matt Kemp and Howie Kendrick, whose best seasons in the big leagues were spent with the Dodgers and Angels, respectively, are among 12 players who are appearing this month on the Hall of Fame ballot for the first time.

The new ballot, which was released on Monday, includes a total of 27 players. Voting will begin later this month and conclude on Dec. 31. The results will be announced on Jan. 20.

Kemp was a two-time All-Star and MVP runner-up during his nine seasons with the Dodgers. He hit 287 homers with an .821 OPS in his 15-year career.

Kendrick spent his first nine seasons with the Angels, followed by two with the Dodgers. Kendrick hit .294 with a .767 OPS in a career that spanned 15 seasons, including a World Series title with the Washington Nationals in 2019.

Ryan Braun, a product of Granada Hills High, is also appearing on the ballot for the first time. Braun played his entire career with the Milwaukee Brewers, winning the MVP in 2011 and making six All-Star teams. He was also the Rookie of the Year.

Braun has the strongest statistical case of any of the newcomers, but his suspension for using performance enhancing drugs makes his election unlikely.

Infielders Alex Gordon, Edwin Encarnacion and Daniel Murphy, outfielders Alex Gordon, Shin-Soo Choo, Nick Markakis and Hunter Pence and pitchers Gio Gonzalez, Cole Hamels and Rick Porcello are the other newcomers to the ballot.

Among the 15 returning players, outfielders Carlos Beltran (70% of the vote in 2024) and Andruw Jones (66%) came closest to election last year.

Former Dodgers infielder Chase Utley (40%), former Angels closer Francisco Rodriguez (10%) and former Angels outfielders Bobby Abreu (20%) and Torii Hunter (5%) also return to the ballot.