Credit: Dale Zanine/ Imagn Images
On July 14th at Citizens Bank Park, baseball’s brightest stars will take the field in the 75th MLB All-Star Game. However, as of June 3rd, the question of “who are the game’s brightest stars” is in the hands of the public. The first phase of All-Star voting is underway, as we count down towards the Midsummer Classic in Philadelphia.
The dynamic aspect of all-star voting lies in the process’s long, multi-phase structure. Official rosters release on Thursday, July 2, which makes for nearly a full month of voting.
This almost certainly means that not every voting favorite at the beginning of the period will remain that way. However, in the thrill of All-Star season, we’d love to share our first draft of the 2026 All-Star rosters.
Cal Raleigh is nowhere to be found in 2026, going through a brutal slump and now an IL stint. So far, Shea Langeliers looks the most well equipped to succeed Raleigh’s outstanding 2025. The A’s backstop leads AL catchers in AVG, OBP, SLG, HR, wRC+, and WAR (min. 150 PA). At 28 years old, a first-ever All-Star nod would probably not be Langeliers’ last.
In The Hunt: Dillon Dinger (DET), Adley Rutschman (BAL)
The class of American League first baseman is arguably the most competitive position group in the MLB. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. leads… the bottom half of AL first basemen in Wins Above Replacement— yes, that means 8th overall. Elite power bats Nick Kurtz and Munetaka Murakami have been incredible, but nobody has outpaced Ben Rice in 2026. Rice trails only Yordan Alvarez in OPS, thanks to his elite pitch selection and damage-oriented pull heavy swing.
In The Hunt: Nick Kurtz (ATH), Munetaka Murakami (CHW)
Right next to the MLB’s strongest position core, is easily the league’s weakest. Because both Jazz Chisholm Jr. and Jose Altuve are undergoing down seasons, the best second baseman in the AL is currently utility infielder Ezequiel Duran. The Rangers’ do-it-all man has been amazing on the basepaths, stout with the glove, and roughly 27% better than the league average hitter, per his 127 wRC+. For what it’s worth, he’s been clutch for Texas with timely homers and a pair of game-altering 9th inning singles. Although it’s nothing spectacular, it’s enough to edge out a quiet field to open June.
In The Hunt: Jazz Chisholm Jr. (NYY), Ernie Clement (TOR)
Vargas arrived on the Southside from the Dodgers as the prize of the Michael Kopech trade. It took a year, but the former top prospect found his stroke in the second half of 2025. He’s carried that stroke into 2026, mashing more homers than any other AL third baseman. He leads the field with 2.2 WAR, playing a catalyst role for an emerging White Sox offense.
In The Hunt: José Ramírez (CLE), Junior Caminero (TBR)
The WAR total absolutely jumps off the page, and for good reason. Before you even put a bat in his hands, Witt already stands out. He’s already saved 12 runs defensively, to lead all infielders (per Statcast Run Value). He’s stolen 19 bases, good for second in the American League. Pair it with nine dingers, a low strikeout rate, and a .356 on-base percentage, you’ve got a franchise shortstop. Witt Jr. is well deserving of his third-straight All-Star appearance.
In The Hunt: Kevin McGonigle (DET), Colson Montgomery (CHW)
A down season for Judge, comically, won’t affect his All-Star status at all. The Yankee Captain has connected on 17 long balls amidst drops in strikeout rate and launch angle. His advanced data remains elite, as even a slow start can’t deny the generational talent that lies in right field at Yankee Stadium. If anything, Judge will only strengthen his case as the summer rolls on.
Your 2026 AL outfield WAR leader is a celebrated, 34-year-old Mike Trout. How’s that for a feel-good story? The Angels’ legendary centerfielder has connected on 31 barrels, the third-most in baseball. He’s walking a career-high 21.1% of the time, which leads the MLB. The fun part is that he can still burn too— Trout’s 28.6 ft/sec sprint speed falls in the top 12% of all hitters. Presumably, Trout’s first All-Star appearance since 2023 should be a fun moment.
There’s a good argument in Cody Bellinger’s corner— a much better average, an edge in OPS, and even a small lead in defensive WAR. However, the one swing in Buxton’s favor? Power. His 17 homers against Belli’s 8 is a glaring difference, and it’s reflected in the slugging percentages as well. Buxton paces Bellinger in SLG by .078 points, which is simply too big of a difference to ignore.
In The Hunt: Cody Bellinger (NYY), Julio Rodríguez (SEA), Riley Greene (DET), Randy Arozarena (SEA), Chase DeLauter (CLE), Ceddanne Rafaela (BOS)
The Astros knew they were getting a boost with Alvarez returning from an injury-plagued 2025 season. However, they didn’t know they were getting the league’s best hitter in 2026. Alvarez’s 1.064 OPS leads all hitters, and his 21 homers only trail Kyle Schwarber’s 22. He is one of only 15 active .300 hitters in baseball this season, a true anomaly among today’s polarizing power hitters. He’s basically a lock to make his fourth All-Star appearance.
In The Hunt: Yandy Diaz (TBR), Samuel Basallo (BAL)
Baldwin hasn’t played since May 18th, and likely won’t until around June 18th, due to an oblique strain. Regardless, Baldwin’s red-hot start to 2026 earned him 13 homers and a .303 AVG. His +19 Batting Run Value remains in the 98th percentile of all hitters, despite his 2-week-and-counting absence. In a softer-hitting group of catchers, Baldwin’s early success projects to hold up enough to secure his first career All-Star nod.
In The Hunt: William Contreras (MIL), Liam Hicks (MIA)
Another powerful left-handed hitting Brave, Matt Olson has played a key role in the Braves’ monster offense. Olson (93.5 mph exit velocity, 18.2° launch angle) continues to hit the ball hard and lift the ball effectively. With Philadelphia as the host city, Olson’s biggest competitor Bryce Harper is likely to see a boost in his votes. However, Olson’s top-tier defense massively shadows Harper’s glove (+6 vs. -8 Outs Above Average). As of now, Olson is the clear pick to hold down first base for the National League.
In The Hunt: Bryce Harper (PHI), Freddie Freeman (LAD)
Lowe quietly features one of the smoothest home run swings in the league, and has two 30-homer seasons to his name. So far, 2026 looks like it could very well be his third. He’s smashed 15 home runs from the second base position, five more than the next-best NL 2B, Ketel Marte. Lowe plays a good second base, with a +4 Fielding Run Value to his name. Although Xavier Edwards’ .309 AVG speaks loud in a league declining in contact, Lowe’s power impact speaks a notch louder.
In The Hunt: Xavier Edwards (MIA), Ketel Marte (ARI)
It’s been a rougher year for NL third basemen, as Manny Machado, Austin Riley, and Matt Chapman have each been unspectacular. Meanwhile, Los Angeles regular Max Muncy has taken full advantage with a .511 SLG and a good eye at the dish. Believe it or not, Muncy’s 2026 defensive performance falls in the top-8% of all fielders, per Statcast Run Value. Paired with the familiar power, Muncy’s newfound success with the glove has him in a keen position to earn the start at the hot corner.
In The Hunt: Nolan Arenado (ARI), Sal Stewart (CIN)
While De La Cruz recently went on the injured list, his all-around impact earns him our opening nod to Philly. De La Cruz leads all NL shortstops in WAR, HR (T-1st, C. Abrams), and Defensive Runs Saved. The all-around skillset blossomed in spring and looks to carry into the summer. While the offensive breakout of CJ Abrams is making this a tight race, the defense from the Reds’ shortstop is the difference. At the premium defensive position, De La Cruz’s range (+6 Outs Above Average) triumphs over Abrams’s range (-7 Outs Above Average) with serious conviction.
In The Hunt: CJ Abrams (WSH), Otto Lopez (MIA)
Soto missed a good chunk of April with a right calf strain, but hasn’t skipped a beat on the field. His .943 OPS leads all National League outfielders, and his signature on-base skills are alive and well. His expected slugging percentage of .625 falls behind only Yordan Alvarez, and indicates that he’s outperforming his already-elite results. As long as he stays on the field, it’s looking like Soto will be a five-time All-Star in a month and a half.
Wood is having a near-identical start to his electric first half of 2025. He’ll likely reach 20 homers before the break, with a high on-base percentage once again. Wood is drawing walks in 17.2% of his plate appearances, and barreling up an even 25% of his batted balls. It’s a wicked combination, and it’s quickly becoming the success formula for James Wood. He should cruise to another All-Star game, but the bigger question will lie in his second-half performance.
Carroll is thriving once more, putting his 2024 sophomore slump even further in the rearview mirror. Carroll’s 98th percentile Baserunning Run Value is a fun addition to his .545 SLG that ranks third among NL outfielders. His range in a tricky right field at Chase Field stands out, and fittingly, he’s made the most of that right field with his league leading eight triples. Carroll quietly remains one of the MLB’s most well-balanced stars, and it may reward him another All-Star showing.
In The Hunt: Andy Pages (LAD), Jordan Walker (STL), Michael Harris II (ATL), Pete Crow-Armstrong (CHC), Ronald Acuña Jr. (ATL)
To clarify, this selection is considering players for offense only, and nothing more. So, while Shohei Ohtani is having an unreal season on the mound, his offensive output hasn’t kept up with one of his fellow DH candidates. Kyle Schwarber’s league-leading 23 home runs are powering the Phillies back to contention, as the 33-year-old remains in the upper echelon of Major League hitters. His .588 SLG leads all National League hitters, and he hasn’t even hit his signature month of June, in which he holds a .910 OPS in his career.
In The Hunt: Shohei Ohtani (LAD), Ivan Herrera (STL)
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