Major League Baseball unveiled the starting position players for the 2026 All-Star Game during a live Saturday broadcast on FOX. The fan vote locks in the core rosters for the 96th Midsummer Classic, scheduled for July 14 at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia.
Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani and Toronto Blue Jays second baseman Ernie Clement dominated the polls. Both players secured automatic starting assignments by leading their respective leagues in Phase 1 voting totals, bypassing the second phase of the ballot entirely. Ohtani racked up 3,341,257 votes, while Clement pulled in 3,232,932.
Key Details
- Aaron Judge won an American League outfield spot but will miss the game recovering from a rib injury, opening the door for Cody Bellinger.
- Shea Langeliers makes franchise history as the first Athletics catcher to start since Terry Steinbach in 1988.
- The National League infield is heavily represented by the Dodgers and Braves.
The American League starters feature a mix of young speed and established power. Bobby Witt Jr. takes shortstop alongside Byron Buxton in center field and Yordan Alvarez at designated hitter. Junior Caminero, Mike Trout, and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. fill out the diamond. Clement holds down second base. Aaron Judge secured an outfield spot, but a recent rib injury sidelines the Yankees slugger. Cody Bellinger is widely projected to replace him. Sacramento Athletics catcher Shea Langeliers rounds out the AL side.
Langeliers provides a unique historical hook for the starting lineups revealed this weekend, breaking a nearly four-decade drought for A’s backstops. In the American League infield, Clement also snapped a streak, becoming the first Blue Jays second baseman to win a fan election since Marcus Semien in 2021.
In the National League, Ohtani anchors a lineup stacked with divisional rivals. CJ Abrams steps in at shortstop for the Nationals. Juan Soto starts in left field for the Mets. The rest of the infield belongs to the Dodgers and Braves. Freddie Freeman and Max Muncy join Ohtani from Los Angeles. Atlanta sends Michael Harris II, Ozzie Albies, and catcher Drake Baldwin.
Managers will finalize the complete All-Star rosters, including pitching staffs and bench reserves, in the coming days.