KANSAS CITY, Mo.—Major League Baseball announced tonight the rosters for the 2026 All-Star Game, which will be played on Tuesday, July 14 at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Pa.
The American League roster will feature Bobby Witt Jr. as the starting shortstop, marking his 3rd consecutive All-Star appearance and his 1st as the 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 8th most among players in franchise history, trailing only George Brett (13), Salvador Perez (9), Amos Otis (5), Frank White (5), Mike Sweeney (5), Cookie Rojas (4) and Hal McRae (4).
Michael Wacha was also selected to the All-Star roster by the Commissioner’s Office to mark his 2nd All-Star appearance and 1st since 2015. He is the third player, according to Elias, to have 10 or more seasons between All-Star selections, joining Schoolboy Rowe (10, 1936-47) and Bert Blyleven (11, 1973-85).
In 82 games this season entering today, Witt Jr. is slashing .290/.362/.470 (93-for-321) with 12 home runs and 29 stolen bases.
Witt Jr., 26, entered today among the American League leaders in bWAR (4.8, 1st), fWAR (4.6, 1st), stolen bases (1st), doubles (20, T-3rd), hits (T-5th) and batting average (6th). He’s also tied for the Major League lead among players at all defensive positions with 17 Outs Above Average.
He’s the first player in Major League history with at least 10 home runs and 25 stolen bases in each of his first five seasons. In four completed seasons, he’s won two Louisville Slugger Silver Slugger Awards, two Rawlings Gold Glove Awards, a Rawlings Platinum Glove Award, a Major League batting title and has twice led the Majors in hits.
In the last three seasons, he’s finished 7th, 2nd and 4th, respectively, in the American League Most Valuable Player voting. Witt Jr. has been named First Team All-MLB at shortstop in each of the last two seasons.
Wacha, 35, is 5-5 in 17 starts this season with a 3.31 ERA (40 ER in 108.2 IP) and leads the American League in innings and quality starts (12), which are 2 more than any other pitcher. His ERA ranks tied for 9th among 36 qualified pitchers in the AL.
Since joining the Royals in 2024, Wacha ranks tied for 3rd in the American League in starts (77), trailing only Kevin Gausman (81) and Tanner Bibee (80), 6th in innings (448.0) and tied for 7th in wins (28). Among AL pitchers who’ve made at least 70 starts since 2024, Wacha’s 3.54 ERA ranks 7th.