​Major League Baseball’s All-Star Week is a welcome pause that lets fans and players alike unwind and enjoy lighthearted ballpark festivities. After four months of winning streaks, tight division races, and preparation for the second half, the midseason break offers a spirited intermission. From the Home Run Derby to the Midsummer Classic, MLB’s All-Star activities provide entertainment while spotlighting players’ successes. Yet not every deserving player earns a trip to the break. The selection process involves fan voting, a player ballot, and the Commissioner’s Office, and while the process generally yields worthy choices, every year a handful of players who deserve recognition stay home.
In 2026, three rookies earned their first career All-Star nods, but one more rookie arguably deserved inclusion. St. Louis Cardinals shortstop JJ Wetherholt has lived up to high expectations in his rookie season and boasts the highest fan value added (fWAR) among position players not chosen for Philadelphia. Wetherholt had been viewed as the Cardinals’ top overall prospect in 2025, with a scouting report praising his contact skills. Yet it’s his other tools that have Cardinals fans buzzing about the franchise’s future. As of July 8, Wetherholt has been among the premier defenders in baseball, posting a perfect fielding run value score according to Baseball Savant and a substantial baserunning run value of 93 (with 100 representing perfection and 50 being league average). While he will miss the cut for his debut season, everything about 2026 hints at a storied career ahead, suggesting All-Star selections might soon be the least of his concerns.
Robert Suárez has the lowest qualified ERA among all relievers and has not been named an All-Star. The Atlanta Braves right-hander owns a 0.56 ERA with a 0.84 WHIP in 2026. He was placed on the injured list on June 26 with right forearm inflammation expected to sideline him beyond the break. Yet a relatively short 15-day absence shouldn’t have overshadowed a season of this caliber. Suárez has matured into one of the game’s elite relief pitchers in his early- to mid-30s and was chasing a third consecutive All-Star nod this season. The four relievers who were selected ahead of him have enjoyed strong campaigns, but none have matched his run-prevention impact.
The Brewers might be having a breakthrough season, and their standout hitter isn’t necessarily the team’s most famous slugger. Brice Turang, the Milwaukee second baseman who represents Team USA, leads the National League in wRC+ among primary second basemen and, notably, was not included in the 2026 All-Star Game. Although Atlanta’s Ozzie Albies received the nod, Turang outperformed him in several key categories, including RBI, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, and OPS. Turang’s batting average has dipped slightly, but his power has surged, and his overall production positions him for a trajectory that could redefine his career. His early-season performance suggests that his breakout year is ongoing, and his presence should command postseason consideration if he sustains this level of production.
As the All-Star selections continue to evolve, the debate over deserving players who miss the cut will persist. The balance between fan input, player votes, and the Commissioner’s Office sometimes means a few standout performers are left out, even when their contributions merit recognition. The hope for fans and players alike is that the All-Star showcase grows to highlight the most impactful performances across the league, and that emerging talents like Wetherholt and Turang receive the opportunities their performances warrant. If 2026 offers any clues, the stars of the near future may already be breaking through, reshaping the landscape of All-Star inclusion for years to come.