By MATT PIKE
The rosters for the 2026 MLB All Star Game in Philadelphia have been selected and announced, with the Kansas City Royals Bobby Witt Jr. getting the nod as the starting shortstop and Michael Wacha also selected in the American League.
It's the third consecutive All Star Game appearance for Witt Jr, but his first as a starter. Witt Jr. is the third Royal to win the fan election as the starting shortstop, joining Fred Patek in 1978 and Alcides Escobar in 2015. Witt Jr.’s three All-Star selections are tied with Alex Gordon, Dan Quisenberry, Darrell Porter, Jeff Montgomery and Patek for the eight most among players in franchise history, trailing only George Brett with 13, Salvador Perez at nine, Amos Otis, Frank White, and Mike Sweeney who all have five, and Cookie Rojas and Hal McRae with four each.
In 82 games this season, entering today, Witt Jr. is slashing .290/.362/.470 with 12 home runs and 29 stolen bases. He entered today among the American League leaders in stolen bases, doubles, hits, and batting average. Witt Jr. is also tied for the Major League lead among players at all defensive positions with 17 Outs Above Average.
Wacha was selected to the All-Star roster by the Commissioner’s Office to mark his second All-Star appearance and first since 2015. He is the third player, according to Elias, to have 10 or more seasons between All-Star selections, joining Schoolboy Rowe with 10 seasons between appearances from 1936 to 1947 and Bert Blyleven at 11 seasons from 1973 to 1985. Wacha is 5-5 in 17 starts this season with a 3.31 ERA and leads the American League in innings and quality starts with 12, which is two more than any other pitcher. His ERA ranks tied for ninth among 36 qualified pitchers in the AL.
On the National League side, St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Jordan Walker was selected by the Commisioners Office. It's the first All Star nod for Walker in his career. Walker has been one of the driving forces behind the Cardinals' offense throughout the first half of the season.
The 24-year-old entered the weekend batting .290 with 19 home runs, 63 RBIs and an .867 OPS. His 63 RBIs rank second in Major League Baseball, while his 19 home runs have him among the National League leaders. Walker's been especially productive in recent weeks. Walker has driven in five runs over his first three games of July, including a four-RBI performance against the Braves before helping the Cardinals roll to a 17-1 win over the Cubs at Wrigley Field.
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