Biggest 2026 MLB All-Star snubs: 10 players who still deserve a spot

It’s All-Star season, which means it’s … All-Star snubs season. 

Yes, the roster for the 2026 MLB All-Star Game, which is set for July 14 at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, has been released. That announcement has led to elation for fans who will see their favorite players take part in the Midsummer Classic, as well as disappointment as many deserving names have yet to hear their names called. But that can still change as players opt out of the game for various reasons, especially on the pitching side.

10 players who still deserve a 2026 MLB All-Star spot

With SeatGeek serving as the Official Ticket Marketplace of MLB, we’ve pored through the data and have found 10 players who deserve to be All-Stars this year but, at least for now, are All-Star snubs. 

American League

Boston Red Sox 1B Willson Contreras

The Red Sox have had a horrific time scoring runs this year, but Contreras has not been part of that problem. The veteran catcher-turned-first baseman has an OPS well over .900 while hitting .285 with 20 home runs and 59 RBIs. First base is a pretty loaded position in the AL with Nick Kurtz and Ben Rice leading the way now that Toronto’s Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is sitting out of the game, but it would hardly be surprising if Contreras found his way into the game given how well he’s performed for one of baseball’s most popular franchises. 

Boston Red Sox SP Sonny Gray

From one Red Sox star to another, Gray has been absolutely terrific atop Boston’s rotation. His fellow starter, Ranger Suarez, got the nod for the All-Star team, and while he’s certainly deserving, I would have given the honor to Gray rather than the southpaw. Gray is a ridiculous 10-1 with a 2.61 ERA over 16 starts along with a 1.104 WHIP. Boston’s rotation has been very good this year, but as noted with Contreras, the lineup has really lagged behind. Gray has been one of baseball’s best and most valuable pitchers in 2026, so hopefully he winds up in Philadelphia when it’s all said and done. 

Chicago White Sox SP Davis Martin

The White Sox have been one of the cooler stories in baseball this year, and the emergence of Martin has been a big reason why. The 29-year-old right-hander was solid last year with a 4.10 ERA, but he’s been one of the bigger breakout stars of the 2026 season with a 9-3 record, 3.08 ERA and 3.2 bWAR, which ranks in the top 10 in baseball among all starting pitchers. With teams needing to have at least one representative, deserving candidates often get overlooked, especially in favor of bigger names. Martin certainly fits that bill, and he’s a more than deserving representative for an upstart White Sox team. He’s helped turn Chicago’s rotation from a weakness into a strength – at least at the very top. 

Tampa Bay Rays SP Nick Martinez

The first-place Rays have found a lot of their old magic with a mix of elite pitching and timely offense. The top of Tampa Bay’s rotation has been elite with Drew Rasmussen more than earning his second All-Star nod and Shane McClanahan returning to form after missing two full seasons with various arm injuries. Martinez has been an unbelievably important part of the Rays’ success this year, and he may be the best “bang for your buck” signing of this past offseason. The veteran right-hander is 7-2 with a 2.61 ERA in 17 starts along with 2.8 bWAR. Martinez’s emergence as an elite-level starter is certainly surprising given he’s been a bit of a journeyman who bounced between the rotation and bullpen in recent years. It would be awesome to see him get added to the roster to celebrate what’s been a standout campaign in his age 35 season. 

Seattle Mariners SP Logan Gilbert

Yes, another starting pitcher. Maybe this run shows just how good pitching is this year, especially in the American League. Not everyone can make it, obviously, but they can still be deserving. Gilbert, Seattle’s Opening Day starter each of the last two seasons, is 7-5 with a 3.19 ERA, and he’s really turned it on of late with a 1.78 ERA over his last eight starts, seven of which the Mariners have won. Gilbert made the team back in 2024, and he may have a stronger case now than he did then. Gilbert certainly made a statement to make the team in his most recent start, giving up one hit in 7 ⅓ scoreless innings against Toronto on Saturday. 

National League

Philadelphia Phillies SP Zack Wheeler

Wheeler didn’t make his 2026 debut until April 25, but he’s been one of the best pitchers in baseball over that span with the Phillies. He already has 3.8 bWAR, a sub-1 WHIP, 8-1 record and 2.36 ERA. With the All-Star Game being in Philadelphia, it was surprising Wheeler didn’t make the roster. Yes, he missed nearly a month, but his stats are better than nearly every other starting pitcher in baseball. Given Wheeler’s electric start to 2026 and the game being in Philadelphia, Wheeler should find himself making his fourth All-Star Game at some point over the next week. 

Milwaukee Brewers 2B Brice Turang

Turang may be the biggest snub in all of baseball, so much so that he should be one of the first names added to the National League roster should a need arise.  Atlanta’s Ozzie Albies made the team as the second base starter, but Turang has had a better season – though Albies has been very good in 2026. Turang has been an on-base machine for the Brewers, who are one of baseball’s best teams, and he’s also slugging far more than he ever has, resulting in an .820 OPS, which would be a career high. The speedy second baseman has also swiped 13 bags as part of an aggressive Milwaukee baserunning approach. Turang has been a major factor in the Brewers’ incredible first half, and he should have made the squad upon release. 

Miami Marlins 2B Xavier Edwards

From one deserving second baseman to another, Edwards has had a massive year for the Marlins, who have been one of baseball’s best and hottest teams over the last month-plus. After hitting .283 with just a .695 OPS in 2025, Edwards is hitting over .300 and has an OPS over .800. He’s also stolen 13 bases. Edwards and Otto Lopez, who did make the All-Star team, make up arguably baseball’s best – or at least most underrated – middle infield tandem. Hopefully he makes the squad and gets to play alongside Lopez in Philadelphia next week. 

Los Angeles Dodgers SP Justin Wrobleski

The Dodgers have an embarrassment of riches when it comes to talent, and they have five All-Stars – including four starters – yet they still have one of the bigger snubs with Wrobleski. Wrobleski was initially seen as a fill-in starter given the injuries the Dodgers were dealing with in the rotation, but the young lefty is 10-2 with a 2.80 ERA and a WHIP barely above 1.000. The National League is absolutely loaded with elite starting pitching on its All-Star roster, but the absence of Wrobleski certainly stands out. 

Pittsburgh Pirates OF Bryan Reynolds

The Pirates having one of baseball’s top offenses this year has certainly been surprising, but the switch-hitting outfielder being a key part of that dangerous lineup doesn’t surprise me at all. He’s OPSing well over .800, is getting on base nearly 40% of the time and is having his best power numbers since his 2021 All-Star campaign. There are some big-name outfielders who made the NL squad over Reynolds, but he’s done more than enough to make his third All-Star team this year.