Read our story on the balloting format, which includes two phases of fan voting to determine the All-Star starters.
So many stars, so many choices. Who do you choose? The agony! Such is the case each year when All-Star voting rolls around.
With the release of this year's ballot, the debating and agonizing begins anew as fans vote to determine the starting lineups in both leagues for the Midsummer Classic on July 14 at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia. Phase 1 of the vote is underway and concludes at noon ET on Thursday, June 25.
But we aim to help. Here's your ultimate guide to MLB All-Star voting in 2026.
Jump to: First base | Second base | Third base | Shortstop | Catcher | Outfield | Designated hitter
First base
American League
Reigning winner: Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Blue Jays
Vladdy is looking for his third straight starting nod and sixth overall All-Star selection. But his power has lagged this season, as it took until May 17 for Guerrero to notch his third homer of the season.
Top challengers to watch: Munetaka Murakami, White Sox; Ben Rice, Yankees; Nick Kurtz, Athletics
It would be the first All-Star selection for any of the three mashers, all of whom excel at getting on base and driving in runs. Murakami has been a revelation, becoming only the third player in White Sox history to hit 20 homers in his team’s first 55 games. But he's currently on the injured list with a right hamstring strain. Rice has outpaced even his teammate Aaron Judge in OPS, while Kurtz followed up his 2025 AL Rookie of the Year Award by tying Mark McGwire for the longest single-season on-base streak in A’s history.
Dark horse candidate: Jonathan Aranda, Rays
Aranda, a first-time All-Star as a reserve in 2025, has been at or near the top of the AL's RBI leaderboard for most of the season.
National League
Reigning winner: Freddie Freeman, Dodgers
A starting nod for Freeman this season would be his fourth straight and his 10th overall All-Star selection. His overall numbers are down a bit this season, but his OPS is still in the top five among NL first basemen.
Top challengers to watch: Matt Olson, Braves; Bryce Harper, Phillies; Sal Stewart, Reds
It would be the first starting nod for Olson, a three-time All-Star who's been an extra-base hit machine this season (he had more than anyone entering June). It would be the seventh start for nine-time All-Star Harper, who's back to looking like his slugging self, and the first for rookie Stewart, who's pacing the NL rookie class in homers.
Dark horse candidate: Gavin Sheets, Padres
Sheets has never been an All-Star, but he's making a case this season with a slugging percentage that's consistently been in the top five among NL first basemen.
Second base
American League
Reigning winner: Gleyber Torres, Tigers
Last season was Torres' first starting nod, his third overall All-Star selection, and his first since 2019. His numbers are down a bit this season (.716 OPS through May), so it could be a challenge for him claim the spot again.
Top challengers to watch: Travis Bazzana, Guardians; Jazz Chisholm Jr., Yankees; Ernie Clement, Blue Jays
Entering June, Bazzana didn't have enough plate appearances to qualify among league leaders, but his .839 OPS would've led all AL second basemen. Meanwhile, Chisholm (.957 OPS over the last 15 games of May) is a two-time All-Star and Clement (.300 average, .771 OPS entering June) is vying for his first selection.
Dark horse candidate: Jose Altuve, Astros
Altuve would be no stranger to the All-Star Game (he's a nine-time selection and four-time starter), but he's rehabbing from an oblique injury with no timetable for his return.
National League
Reigning winner: Ketel Marte, D-backs
Marte has been the NL's starting third baseman three times, including the past two seasons, yet is still somehow one of baseball's more underrated sluggers. He's again making a run for the RBI lead among NL second basemen.
Top challengers to watch: Xavier Edwards, Marlins; Brandon Lowe, Pirates; Brice Turang, Brewers
It would be the first All-Star selection for Edwards and Turang, and the third for Lowe. Edwards has emerged as one of the NL's best hitters, ranking near the top of the league in hits, average and on-base percentage. Lowe is thriving in his first season with the Pirates (.875 OPS through May), while Turang just keeps getting better and has raised his OPS (.829 through May) in each of his four seasons in the bigs.
Dark horse candidate: JJ Wetherholt, Cardinals
Wetherholt, the Cardinals' top prospect entering the season, homered in his MLB debut on Opening Day and showed that the hype was real. He remains among the NL rookie leaders in OPS.
Third base
American League
Reigning winner: José Ramírez, Guardians
Should Ramírez get the nod again, it would be his fifth starting nod and third straight, though he didn't play in last year's game because of injury. He entered June leading the AL in stolen bases as he chases another 30-30 season.
Top challengers to watch: Junior Caminero, Rays; Brendan Donovan, Mariners; Miguel Vargas, White Sox
Caminero replaced Ramírez as the starter last season and is having another All-Star worthy campaign, vying for the lead in homers and OPS among the AL's third basemen. Donovan, a first-time All-Star last season with the Cardinals now in his first season with the Mariners, ended May on the IL, but the .838 OPS he posted to that point would be the best of his career. Vargas is seeking his first All-Star selection as he duels with Caminero for the homer lead among AL third basemen.
Dark horse candidate: Josh Jung, Rangers
Jung, an All-Star as a rookie in 2023, is off to arguably his best season so far and is right there with Caminero and Vargas vying for the OPS lead among those playing at the hot corner.
National League
Reigning winner: Manny Machado, Padres
Machado, a seven-time All-Star, is eyeing a second straight start at third base and his fifth overall election as a starter (including one at shortstop). But he's struggled mightily this season (.174 average, .620 OPS through May), making another start unlikely.
Top challengers to watch: Nolan Arenado, D-backs; Alex Bregman, Cubs; Max Muncy, Dodgers
Arenado, an eight-time All-Star, is enjoying a career resurgence (128 OPS+ as of June 1) in his first season with the D-backs and is looking for his first selection and start since 2023. Bregman, a three-time All-Star, including last season with the Red Sox, has yet to match his usual slugging numbers with the Cubs (.705 OPS through May), while Muncy (.888 OPS through May) is up to his usual slugging ways and is looking for his first selection since 2021.
Dark horse candidate: Nick Gonzales, Pirates
It would be the first All-Star selection for Gonzalez, who entered June with the highest batting average among qualified NL third basemen (.303) and tied for the lead in on-base percentage (.356).
Shortstop
American League
Reigning winner: Jacob Wilson, Athletics
Wilson earned his first All-Star selection as part of a rookie campaign that saw him finish second in the AL Rookie of the Year voting (.311 average, .800 OPS). He's been on the IL since a May 10 shoulder injury and there's no official timetable for his return.
Top challengers to watch: Kevin McGonigle, Tigers; Brayan Rocchio, Guardians; Bobby Witt Jr., Royals;
McGonigle (3.2 bWAR through June 1) is not only making a strong case to start the All-Star Game in his first season, but he's also making a case to be AL Rookie of the Year. Rocchio, who's having a breakout season in Cleveland, led all AL shortstops in batting average entering June (.293) in pursuit of his first All-Star selection, while three-time All-Star Witt continues his all-around elite play and has paced AL shortstops in OPS (.832 through June 1).
Dark horse candidate: Colson Montgomery, White Sox
Montgomery, who hit 21 homers in just 71 games as a rookie last season, was leading all MLB shortstops in long balls through May (15). It would be his first selection.
National League
Reigning winner: Francisco Lindor, Mets
Lindor, a five-time All-Star, made his first start last season. A return start is unlikely, as he's been on the IL since late April with a left calf strain and it's unclear when he could return.
Top challengers to watch: CJ Abrams, Nationals; Elly De La Cruz, Reds; Otto Lopez, Marlins
Abrams, an All-Star in 2024, is having the best season of his five-year career and leads all MLB shortstops in OPS by a wide margin (.933 through May), while two-time All-Star De La Cruz is neck-and-neck with Abrams for the most homers among NL shortstops. It would be the first All-Star selection for the surprising Lopez, who had more hits than anyone in baseball entering June and also had a comfortable lead for the NL batting title (.333 as of June 1).
Dark horse candidate: Mookie Betts, Dodgers
Betts, an eight-time All-Star and five-time starter, missed more than a month with an oblique injury and has not produced Betts-like numbers so far (.661 OPS through June 1). But don't underestimate his ability to get hot, or the Dodger faithful's enthusiasm to vote for him.
Catcher
American League
Reigning winner: Cal Raleigh, Mariners
Raleigh's home run pace has slowed considerably in the follow-up to his MLB-leading 60-dinger campaign in 2025; he has just seven on the season. But he's also been on the IL with a right oblique injury since May 14, with no set timetable for his return, making it unlikely that he repeats as the AL starter.
Top challengers to watch: Ryan Jeffers, Twins; Shea Langeliers, A's; Adley Rutschman, Orioles
Jeffers, seeking his first All-Star selection, would be vying for the OPS lead among AL backstops if he had enough plate appearances to qualify (.949 through June 1). Among those who do qualify, it's Langeliers -- also seeking his first All-Star nod -- who was the leader in homers and OPS through May. Meanwhile, two-time All-Star Rutschman should also be among those leaders once he gets enough PAs to qualify.
Dark horse candidate: Dillon Dingler, Tigers
It would be the first All-Star selection for Dingler, a 2025 Gold Glove winner. He's in the running to lead AL catchers in homers this season.
National League
Reigning winner: Will Smith, Dodgers
Three-time All-Star Smith made his first start last season, when he had a .901 OPS. This season, however, his numbers are down (.717 OPS through June 1) and he'll likely face a challenge to win a second straight starting assignment.
Top challengers to watch: Drake Baldwin, Braves; William Contreras, Brewers; Liam Hicks, Marlins
Baldwin, the reigning NL Rookie of the Year, is recovering from a mild oblique strain but is still at or near the top among NL catchers in several key offensive categories as he seeks his first All-Star berth. Contreras, a two-time All-Star, is also among the NL catching leaders in batting average, while Hicks, who has never been an All-Star, is on pace for more than 30 homers and ended May as the easy leader in RBIs among all catchers.
Dark horse candidate: Daniel Susac, Giants
Susac, a rookie who missed about a month with an elbow injury, definitely made an impression upon his debut. He hit .478 with a 1.152 OPS in his first 11 games before the injury, and could certainly turn heads again if he's able to recapture anything close to that magic between now and the close of voting.
Outfield
American League
Reigning winners: Aaron Judge, Yankees; Riley Greene, Tigers; Javier Báez, Tigers
Judge, again in the running to lead the AL in homers and OPS, is a virtual lock to make another start, which would be his seventh. Greene, leading AL outfielders in batting average (.309 through June 1), is also making another starting bid, while Báez has been on the IL with an ankle injury since late April.
Top challengers to watch: Cody Bellinger, Yankees; Byron Buxton, Twins; Mike Trout, Angels
The AL outfield class is loaded, and these three would constitute a tremendous starting group on their own. Bellinger, a two-time All-Star, is in the top five of AL outfielders in OPS, while Buxton, also a two-time selection, has been at or near the top in homers. Meanwhile, 11-time All-Star Trout has looked a lot like his old self as the AL outfield leader in on-base percentage while on pace for a homer total in the mid-30s.
Dark horse candidate: Randy Arozarena, Mariners
Arozarena, a two-time All-Star, is on track for what would be his highest batting average and OPS over a full season (.286 average .817 OPS through June 1). He's hitting for slug and average like never before.
National League
Reigning winners: Ronald Acuña Jr., Braves; Pete Crow-Armstrong, Cubs; Kyle Tucker, Cubs
Five-time All-Star Acuña started slow this season, but he turned it on in a HUGE way to close out May, with five homers and a 2.265 OPS over his last four games of the month. PCA, an All-Star last season, also finished May hot, with a 1.010 OPS over the last six games. Meanwhile, four-time All-Star Tucker hasn't yet made the splash with the Dodgers that many expected (.722 OPS through June 1), but there's lots of time left and lots of voting power in L.A.
Top challengers to watch: Corbin Carroll, D-backs; Juan Soto, Mets, James Wood, Nationals
Carroll, a two-time All-Star, leads the world in triples, while four-time All-Star Soto is putting up his usual elite numbers (.970 OPS through June 1) and Wood, an All-Star last season, has been pacing all NL outfielders in homers. The Senior Circuit's outfield class is even more stacked than the AL, and there are many players deserving of starting nods, way more than we can mention here. This is by no means an exhaustive list.
Dark horse candidate: Michael Harris II, Braves
Harris, the 2022 NL Rookie of the Year, is still seeking his first All-Star selection. But he's finally put it all together this season (.307 average, .868 OPS through May) and stands a good shot of making it this year, perhaps even as a starter.
Designated hitter
American League
Reigning winner: Ryan O'Hearn, Orioles
O'Hearn earned his first All-Star appearance and starting spot last season on the strength of a first half in which he posted an .840 OPS with the Orioles. He was soon traded to the Padres and then signed with the Pirates in the offseason.
Top challengers to watch: Yordan Alvarez, Astros; Samuel Basallo, Orioles; Yandy Díaz, Rays
Three-time All-Star Alvarez is far and away the OPS leader among MLB's primary designated hitters and reached the 20-homer mark before the end of May. Díaz, a starter in 2023, brings an OPS north of .900 and is among the contenders for the AL batting title, while Basallo could fit the bill here after posting an 1.137 OPS over his last 10 games leading into June. It would be his first selection.
Dark horse candidate: Chase DeLauter, Guardians
DeLauter is an exciting rookie who has put together a strong season so far, living in the top five among AL rookies in homers and OPS.
National League
Reigning winner: Shohei Ohtani, Dodgers
Ohtani, winner of three straight MVPs, has four straight starts as an All-Star DH (two in the AL, two in the NL) and could very well land a fifth.
Top challengers to watch: Kyle Schwarber, Phillies; Iván Herrera, Cardinals; Casey Schmitt, Giants
Schwarber, a three-time All-Star, is once again well ahead of all other NL hitters in homers and vying for the lead in OPS. Herrera, seeking his first All-Star nod, trails only Ohtani in on-base percentage among primary NL designated hitters, while Schmitt is having a breakout season, having led every primary NL DH other than Schwarber in homers through May in pursuit of his first All-Star berth.
Dark horse candidate: Dominic Smith, Braves
Smith has never been an All-Star, but his career has received a second wind in his first season with the Braves. Though he's been mostly a platoon player this season, his .325 average entering June was the second-highest in the NL among players with at least 130 plate appearances.