The 2026 All-Star Game will take place July 14 at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, the same city where the Declaration of Independence was signed 250 years ago—literally just around the corner from the ballpark. The fan ballot for starting position players and designated hitters dropped on Wednesday.
This exercise is straightforward in theory: reward the best first-half performers. In practice, it means weighing current production against track records, factoring in injuries, and accepting that any pick carries risk. Here's how the logic shakes out.
American League
Catcher: Shea Langeliers, Athletics —.293/.365/.544 with 14 home runs, 30 RBI and 37 runs scored. Cal Raleigh had a 60-homer season in 2025 but has struggled mightily this year and is currently injured. Langeliers plays quality defense and hits enough to earn the start.
First base: Ben Rice, Yankees — The numbers are startling. He leads all of baseball in slugging, OPS and OPS+ while pacing the American League in RBI. His slash line sits at.306/.397/.658 with 14 doubles, seven home runs, 44 RBI and 44 runs. Yes, Aaron Judge is his teammate. Yes, that makes this pick quietly uncomfortable for some voters. But the production is undeniable.
Second base: Ernie Clement, Blue Jays — It's a thin position league-wide, but Clement makes the case with old-school cred. He hits.300, leads the AL in hits and leads the majors in doubles with 19. He's also been difficult to strike out, which matters more than it used to.
Third base: Miguel Vargas, White Sox — José Ramírez would be the safe pick and he's having a fine year, just not to his usual lofty standards. Vargas offers a 144 OPS+ with 10 doubles, 15 home runs, 38 RBI, 44 runs and a perfect nine-for-nine on stolen bases.
Shortstop: Bobby Witt Jr., Royals — He checks every box. No further explanation needed.
Outfield: Mike Trout, Angels; Aaron Judge, Yankees; Cody Bellinger, Yankees — Trout is healthy and dominant again: 154 OPS+, 14 homers, 31 RBI, leads the majors in walks and AL in runs. Judge's average has dipped to.248, but his 152 OPS+ with 17 homers and 38 RBI remains extraordinary. Bellinger leads all AL position players in Baseball Reference WAR and contributes heavily in left field defensively.
Designated hitter: Yordan Alvarez, Astros — After injuries limited him to 48 games last season with an OPS nearly 200 points below his career norm, he's back to being the same imposing force:.301/.416/.634 with a 191 OPS+ and 20 home runs. This was the easiest call on the board.
Starting pitcher: Nick Martinez, Rays — Due to injuries to Tarik Skubal and Garrett Crochet, the AL staff lacks the recognizable star power of the National League. Martinez debuts with Texas in 2014, spent four seasons there, played four seasons in Japan, and returned as a swingman. The Rays signed him for one year and $13 million. He's 5-1 with a 1.62 ERA in 11 starts. The story alone earns it.
National League
Catcher: Drake Baldwin, Braves — He's dealing with an oblique injury with no clear timetable. That said, he's been so far ahead of every other NL catcher that even returning in late June would likely leave him still deserving. The gamble:.303/.389/.543 with 13 home runs, 38 RBI and 39 runs in 48 games.
First base: Matt Olson, Braves — After two "down" seasons of 29 homers each and just missing 100 RBI, he's back to being one of the most feared power hitters in baseball. In 60 games: 16 homers, 45 RBI, plus league leadership in doubles and total bases.
Second base: Xavier Edwards, Marlins — He's played every game, hits.313, has walked more than he's struck out, and collected 11 doubles, four triples, six home runs, nine steals and 41 runs. Old-school flair meets modern stat-stuffing.
Third base: Max Muncy, Dodgers — Down seasons from established stars like Alex Bregman, Matt Chapman, Manny Machado and Austin Riley opened the door. He's walking through it with a 144 OPS+ and 14 home runs.
Shortstop: CJ Abrams, Nationals — Over the previous three seasons, he established himself as a cornerstone of Washington's future. The progression continues.
All statistics are up to date through Monday's games. The ballot is now in the hands of the fans—and the calendar will do the rest.