ANAHEIM -- It’s been 10 years since the Athletics have sent a catcher to the All-Star Game, but that drought may be broken this year.
Shea Langeliers advanced to the final phase of All-Star voting by receiving the most fan votes for an American League catcher. Phase 2 of the voting begins on Monday at noon ET and concludes on Thursday. Fans will choose between Langeliers and Blue Jays catcher Alejandro Kirk to determine who will start the game for the AL.
“It’s really cool for me personally,” Langeliers said. “It’s kind of one of those full-circle moments. All the work you put in, everything that’s gotten me to this point all coming together. Any time you can get recognized to have a chance to be an All-Star, with it being in Philadelphia this year and the 250-year anniversary of the United States. I think that’s pretty awesome.”
Stephen Vogt, the current manager of the Guardians, was the last Athletics catcher to be selected to an All-Star Game, and he did it in consecutive years in 2015 and ‘16. Terry Steinbach was the last A’s catcher to start the All-Star Game in 1989.
After missing nearly a month due to an oblique strain in 2025, Langeliers hit .307 and had an OPS of .961 with 21 home runs in just 67 games.
This season, Langeliers is tied with the Tigers’ Dillon Dingler for the most home runs for an AL catcher with 19 and has a .834 OPS.
“There’s been a couple of mechanical tweaks here and there, more about how I’m setting up in the box, not the actual swing,” Langeliers said. “The biggest change is the mental side of the game. After I came back from IL last year, I came back more free. I’m grateful that I get to play a game for a living and am surrounded by a bunch of great people.”
A’s manager Mark Kotsay feels Langeliers is deserving of representing the team in the All-Star Game.
“He definitely deserves to be,” Kotsay said. “You look at the All-Star ballot, you look at the other catchers around the American League, I’d say he’s dominating the performance side of it. It’s nice that he’s getting recognized nationally.”
Langeliers has never been an All-Star, but he has performed in All-Star break activities and was the MVP of the Futures Game in 2022, hitting a solo home run in that game.
“It was a really cool experience,” Langeliers said. “Played at Dodger Stadium. It was a big crowd. I think there was a Bad Bunny concert after the game or something. It was a lot of fun.”