The American League and National League rosters are now set in stone after the replacement players were announced for the 2026 MLB All-Star Game. With that in mind, let's take a look at the AL roster and give a grade to each position group.
Catcher
Shea Langeliers, Athletics
Dillon Dingler, Tigers
Adley Rutschman, Orioles
All three American League players rank in the top 10 in batting WAR (wins above replacement) amongst catchers, while Shea Langeliers has the best defensive WAR in the Majors for a catcher (1.0). Hell, Langeliers and Dingler rank first and second in catcher WAR as the only guys with ratings of at least 3.0. Adley Rutschman's statistics aren't as good as the other guys', but that's because he has already missed 31 games this season. He would probably have much better numbers if he hadn't missed so much time. Rutshcman prevents this group from receiving a higher grade.
Grade: A-
First Base
Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Blue Jays (replaced by Willson Contreras, Red Sox)
Nick Kurtz, Athletics
Ben Rice, Yankees
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is a household name with star power, but if we're being honest, his statistics were holding this group back. Willson Contreras is much more deserving of a roster spot with the 10th highest WAR of any position player in the Majors (3.7). At the same time, Nick Kurtz and Ben Rice have combined for 46 homers and 126 RBIs this season. Plus, Kurtz has the highest WAR of any first baseman in the MLB (3.8). The late addition of Contreras helps this group's grade tremendously.
Grade: A
Second Base
Ernie Clement, Blue Jays
Travis Bazzana, Guardians
Bazzana is fifth in AL WAR amongst second basemen (1.4), while Ernie Clement is eighth in that category (1.0). However, when we look at the entire MLB, neither one of these guys has a top-13 WAR at the plate. Bazzana only has seven home runs and 27 RBIs, but he has missed 32 games this season. Ernie Clement has no excuse for his numbers to be this bad. He has played in 89 of Toronto's 92 games but only has seven homers and 30 RBIs to show for it. Clement's saving grace is his .293 batting average, which ranks 16th among all MLB players. Regardless, this is the weakest group in the AL.
Grade: C+
Third Base
Junior Caminero, Rays
Miguel Vargas, White Sox
This might be the best positional group in the AL because Miguel Vargas and Junior Caminero are WAY better than the guys manning third for the National League. Across the entire MLB, Junior Caminero is fourth in homers (26), eighth in slugging percentage (.549), and eighth in OPS (.918). Meanwhile, amongst third basemen, Miguel Vargas is third in OPS (.851), tied for fifth in hits (79), tied for second in homers (20), and tied with Caminero for first in RBIs (56). On top of all that, Caminero leads all third basemen in WAR (3.4), while Vargas is tied for second in that area (3.3)
Grade: A+
Shortstop
Bobby Witt Jr., Royals
Kevin McGonigle, Tigers
If we're being honest, the American League's shortstop group is absolutely sensational. Kevin McGonigle and Bobby Witt Jr. are second and third in WAR amongst ALL BATTERS IN THE MAJORS (4.9 and 4.8, respectively)! Witt is second in batting average amongst shortstops, while McGonigle is third (.290 and .287). They are also in the top five in their position in terms of on-base percentage (McGonigle, first, and Witt, third) and OPS (Witt, third, and McGonigle, fourth). Both of these guys are worthy of being a starting shortstop for both the AL and NL All-Star teams.
Grade: A+
Outfield
Mike Trout, Angels
Byron Buxton, Twins
Aaron Judge, Yankees
Randy Arozarena, Mariners
Cody Bellinger, Yankees
Riley Greene, Tigers
This is a fascinating group because it’s littered with big names who are having solid years as well as up-and-comers who have had a great start to the 2026 campaign. Cody Bellinger has the second-highest WAR of any AL outfielder (3.5), but that would be fourth in the NL. Aaron Judge hasn't played since the end of May, but for some reason, he was named a starter. Byron Buxton leads AL outfielders in OPS (.904), but that would rank fourth in the NL. Mike Trout is still fantastic, but his 2.8 WAR is well below his 162-game career average of 8.5. Riley Greene and Randy Arozarena have also had good campaigns, but their OPS is 11th and 13th, respectively, amongst all outfielders. This group is not bad, but it's not great either.
Grade: B
Designated Hitter
Yordan Alvarez, Astros
Yandy Díaz, Rays
From a WAR perspective, these are two of the four best designated hitters in the Majors this season. Alvarez is first in DH WAR (3.9), while Diaz ranks fourth (2.6). But when it comes to designated hitters, home runs and slugging percentage are better indicators of success. In that case, this group is hurt slightly by Yandy Diaz. Though Yordan Alvarez is second in the league in homers (29) and first in slugging percentage (.621), Diaz isn't in the top 25 in either one of those categories. Then again, it might just be a down year for designated hitters since only three DHs have at least 20 homers this season.
Grade: B+
Pitching
Bryan Baker, Rays
Dylan Cease, Blue Jays
Aroldis Chapman, Red Sox
Jacob Latz, Rangers
Parker Messick, Guardians
Drew Rasmussen, Rays
Joe Ryan, Twins
Cam Schlittler, Yankees
Cade Smith, Guardians
Ranger Suarez, Red Sox
Louis Varland, Blue Jays
Michael Wacha, Royals
The starting pitchers are Joe Ryan, Cam Schlittler, Drew Rasmussen, Parker Messick, Ranger Suarez, Dylan Cease, and Michael Wacha. The relievers are Bryan Baker, Aroldis Chapman, Cade Smith, Jacob Latz, and Louis Varland. The combined ERA of the starting pitchers is 2.74, which is not bad, but it leaves a little something to be desired from an All-Star group. The relievers are arguably better than the starters, with a 0.92 WHIP, but they still have an ERA of 1.97, which is not great. This is not a bad group, but the National League's pitchers are much better, even with the Miz and Paul Skenes not participating in the game.
Grade: B+
Complete Roster
For an All-Star team, this is not the best squad we have ever seen. The American League is stacked at a few positions, like shortstop and first base, but there are also some obvious weak spots, such as second base and outfield. It seems like the National League should be favored in the 2026 MLB All-Star Game because it has the better roster.
