​We’re just a week away from the Midsummer Classic, which will broadcast at 8 pm ET on Tuesday, July 14. The MLB announced the rosters for the 2026 All-Star Game last week, but we’ve got our own thoughts to share. Below is the Rotoworld Baseball Staff’s picks for the starting lineup of the MLB All-Star Game, along with a selection of favorite reserves. Every writer was asked to pick a starting lineup, one starting pitcher, one relief pitcher, one reserve hitter, and one reserve starting pitcher from both the American League and National League. We compiled the votes and handed starting spots to the players who led our mini competition. The remaining hitters and starting pitchers who garnered votes were added to our reserves list. Because not every participant created a full bench, you’ll mainly see players who received starting votes, which means not every player we believe deserves to be in the All-Star Game is represented below.
As a reminder, this is all in good fun. Our aim was to highlight players who had a standout first half and perhaps didn’t receive the starting berth we felt they deserved, while also giving credit to those who did.
C: Dillon Dingler, Tigers (unanimous)
1B: Nick Kurtz, Athletics (unanimous)
2B: Jazz Chisholm Jr., Yankees
3B: Junior Caminero, Rays
SS: Bobby Witt Jr., Kansas City Royals (unanimous)
Our three unanimous choices are straightforward, but only Bobby Witt Jr. earned a starting spot in the All-Star lineup. Nick Kurtz has stepped in as a starter after Vladimir Guerrero Jr. withdrew from the event, while Dillon Dingler will come off the bench. With all due respect to Shea Langeliers, Dingler arguably has the strongest case to be the AL’s starting catcher. This season, he ranks first among catchers in wRC+, leads in RBIs, sits second in OPS, second in hard-hit rate, and third in home runs. He’s also a strong defender, ranking second among qualified catchers in framing runs saved and tied for second in blocks above average. It’s fantastic that he made the game, but in a pure hypothetical vote, he’d be our starter.
I gave serious consideration to Travis Bazzana for the second-base spot, and if he’d played another 15–20 games, I likely would have given him the nod. Jazz Chisholm Jr.’s numbers aren’t eye-popping, but he’s provided enough power and speed—alongside solid defense at second base—to justify his selection, even if his production hinges largely on a single productive offensive stretch. To be frank, this isn’t the deepest second-base class, and Chisholm is somewhat of a consolation pick, even with those homers and steals.
It’s evident to anyone who has followed this season that Junior Caminero has stood out as the best third baseman in the American League. The 23-year-old slugger hasn’t been slowed or affected by the other pieces around him; he’s been incredibly productive and consistent, making a compelling case to be recognized as the top third baseman in the AL.