We won’t get the results until they are announced on MLB Network on Thursday night at 5:00 p.m. ET, but the first phase of All-Star voting wrapped up at noon today. The leading vote getter from each league will earn a spot in the starting lineup. Currently that is Shohei Ohtani, who had a significant lead over fellow Dodger Max Muncy as of Monday’s last vote count update. Somewhat hilariously, Blue Jays’ utility player Ernie Clement is leading the American League over Astros designated hitter Yordan
Alvarez. As usual, the voting process is being overrun by a particular team or fanbase, this time with the whole nation of Canada behind them.
Of course, this is why the All-Star Game doesn’t really move the needle the way it used to. On the one hand, it’s good engagement for the league to have fans voting on a whole ballot of options. On the other hand, a little pre-selection process wouldn’t hurt to keep fanbase size from dominating who makes the final cut. Of course, with the American League in general looking rough this season, and stars like Aaron Judge and Mike Trout, who are third and fourth in voting at last count, both injured, this was always going to be a wide open field in terms of who actually takes the field.
The top two vote getters at each position in each league, with six outfielder spots per league open, will advance to the second phase of voting. Phase 2 voting for fans will open at noon on Monday, June 29, with 72 hours for voting to be completed. This will be a whole new ballot, with Phase 1 votes not included. We’ll keep you updated on how the Tigers’ top players do, because fans will need to pile into that 72 hour window to get them the rest of the way.
Obviously Dillon Dingler and Kevin McGonigle deserve major consideration. Dingler has been the best all around catcher in the game this season but was last seen third behind the Athletics’ Shea Langeliers and the Blue Jays’ Alejandro Kirk, while McGonigle was third at the shortstop position behind the Royals’ Bobby Witt Jr., and Blue Jays’ shortstop Andrés Giménez at last report. Riley Greene is still in the mix among AL outfielders, and considering that six outfielders will make it to Phase 2, there’s still a chance Greene will make it into the second round of voting as well, although he was in ninth place as of Monday’s last released vote totals.
Considering how things went for the Tigers’ All-Star Game players last summer, it may be for the best if none of them make it. Blue Jays fans are stuffing the ballot box like crazy, and while it’s a nice honor, taking a break for a week wouldn’t hurt the three Tigers, as they’ve been carrying the load for the struggling Tigers in an injury plagued first half of the season.
The AL squad will be managed by the Blue Jays’ John Schneider, as the manager of last year’s World Series contending squad from the junior circuit. He’ll have Twins’ manager Derek Shelton as his backup along with the Blue Jays’ coaching staff. NL manager Dave Roberts has added Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol and Phillies manager Don Mattingly to his staff.
MLB All-Star Week will include the 2026 MLB Draft on July 11-12, the All-Star Futures Game for prospects on July 12, the T-Mobile Home Run Derby on July 13, and the All-Star Game itself on July 14.
