2026 MLB All-Star Game Voting: Phase 2 Results and Roster Projections
Voting for the 2026 MLB All-Star Game in Philadelphia concluded following the completion of Phase 2, determining the starters for the July 14 midsummer classic. While official rosters will be announced on Saturday, Major League Baseball confirmed that Phase 1 leaders in each league—specifically second baseman Ernie Clement of the Toronto Blue Jays and designated hitter Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers—secured their starting positions by running unopposed in the final round.
How the 2026 All-Star Starters are Determined
The 2026 All-Star selection process utilized a two-phase voting structure to finalize the starting lineups. In Phase 1, fans voted to narrow the field to the top two finalists at each position, with the exception of the outfield, where the top six vote-getters advanced. According to MLB official procedures, any player who finished Phase 1 as the clear leader in their respective league automatically bypassed the second round to secure their starting spot. Following the close of Phase 2, the remaining starters are finalized based on the cumulative fan vote, with the full lineup scheduled to be unveiled on Saturday, July 14, ahead of the game at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia.
American League Position Battles and Projections
The American League ballot saw significant activity, particularly regarding Toronto Blue Jays players who maintained a high volume of support throughout the voting cycles. Despite the intensity of the fan voting, specific positional battles remain the focus for roster construction:
- First Base: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (Blue Jays) faced competition from Ben Rice (Yankees) after leading the initial phase by a significant margin.
- Shortstop: Bobby Witt Jr. (Royals) challenged Andrés Giménez (Blue Jays), with Witt entering the final phase holding nearly a million-vote lead.
- Catcher: Shea Langeliers (Athletics) remains the frontrunner against Alejandro Kirk (Blue Jays), as Langeliers secured a substantial lead in total votes during the opening round.
- Outfield: Aaron Judge (Yankees), Mike Trout (Angels), and Byron Buxton (Twins) emerged as the primary candidates based on Phase 1 totals, though Cody Bellinger (Yankees) remains within striking distance of the final starting spot.
National League Starters and Key Matchups
The National League landscape is heavily influenced by the Los Angeles Dodgers’ roster, with several players contending for starting roles. Shohei Ohtani has already locked in his spot as the starting designated hitter after receiving 3,341,257 votes in the first phase, according to MLB data.
| Position | Primary Contenders |
|---|---|
| First Base | Freddie Freeman (Dodgers) vs. Matt Olson (Braves) |
| Shortstop | Mookie Betts (Dodgers) vs. CJ Abrams (Nationals) |
| Catcher | Drake Baldwin (Braves) vs. Will Smith (Dodgers) |
The selection of the starting pitcher for the National League often reflects the host city’s representation. Cristopher Sanchez of the Philadelphia Phillies is viewed as a high-probability candidate, given the game’s location in Philadelphia and the logistics surrounding other top-tier pitchers, such as Jacob Misiorowski, who is currently scheduled to pitch the Sunday immediately preceding the All-Star Game.
What Happens Next
Following the conclusion of the fan vote, the league office will verify the final counts and coordinate with team managers to finalize the remaining roster spots. While the starters are determined by fan balloting, the reserves and the pitching staffs are selected through a combination of player voting and selections made by the Commissioner’s Office. Fans can expect the complete American and National League rosters to be released on Saturday, providing the final view of the talent competing in the 2026 All-Star Game.