​In a matter of days, the MLB’s most talented players will converge in Philadelphia for the 2026 All-Star Game. From household names like Mike Trout, Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman, and Juan Soto to 26 first-time All-Stars, baseball fans have plenty to look forward to. In the latest episode of his podcast, MLB According to CC, CC Sabathia weighs in on the starting position players and pitchers for both the American League and National League. As a six-time All-Star himself, Sabathia brings a veteran perspective to the Mid-Summer Classic. Here are some of his key takeaways.
Each year, there are players who feel they were snubbed from the All-Star Game. Sabathia supports the decision to start Braves second baseman Ozzie Albies, while also acknowledging the depth at the NL position. San Francisco Giants second baseman Luis Arraez earned a reserve spot and is hitting .327, the second-best mark in the majors this season. Two NL second basemen who didn’t make the cut are JJ Wetherholt of the St. Louis Cardinals and Brice Turang of the Milwaukee Brewers. Wetherholt has 13 home runs and 36 RBIs while delivering elite defense, and Turang has 54 RBIs and an .815 OPS for a Brewers club that is among the best in baseball. It’s a deep position that leaves some notable contributors at home during the break.
Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Junior Caminero earned his second All-Star nod and will be starting at the hot corner. At just 23 years old, Caminero isn’t merely one of the sport’s best young players; he’s among the best players overall. He’s been on a tear, with 11 home runs in his last 14 games, and he brings that momentum to the Home Run Derby on Monday night. Sabathia described Caminero, who has 26 homers and a .918 OPS, as the “catalyst” for a Rays club that holds a four-game lead in the American League.
Sabathia also shared his view that the All-Star break should be longer. This year’s break begins after Sunday’s games and resumes a few days later on Thursday and Friday. If the break stretched to a full week, Sabathia believes MLB players who aren’t in the All-Star Game would show up in droves, in a fashion reminiscent of NBA midseason attendance and fan enthusiasm. The current, shorter break means that star pitchers aren’t able to take the mound during the All-Star Game; for example, Brewers pitcher Jacob Misiorowski, who’s enjoying a season many would call historic, will be in the dugout on Tuesday rather than pitching, as he’s slated to face Pirates ace Paul Skenes on Sunday.
New episodes with CC and Ahmed Fareed land every Wednesday on NBC Sports NOW, NBCSN, YouTube, and wherever you listen to podcasts.