Now that 2026 All-Star Game nods have been handed out, it’s fair to wonder which players received the short end of the stick. We’ve already done so on the National League. Now, let’s move to the American League.
Jonathan Aranda
Compared to the National League, there weren’t many obvious snubs — well, aside from one, perhaps — on the American League side. However, one could make a very solid argument for Jonathan Aranda, who represented the Rays one year ago in Atlanta.
It’s been simply another marvelous season for Aranda, who slashed .287/.390/.455 with 13 home runs and 26 extra-base hits. His .370 wOBA on the season was not only among the top 25 in the league (min. 275 PA) but also ahead of other All-Stars.
Now, the obvious problem here is that the Rays are sending another corner infielder, first baseman Yandy Diaz, to the All-Star Game. Diaz, who came into play on July 5 with 101 hits, the fourth-most in the Majors, was objectively the better pick. Still, Aranda would be right to feel a tad bit slighted.
Sonny Gray
I know Sonny Gray didn’t pick up his 10th win until July 4, after the All-Star picks were finalized. Nor are wins the be-all, end-all when it comes to choosing deserving pitchers. Still, it’s hard to believe the Red Sox pitcher didn’t make it to the All-Star Game.
Gray, as of July 5, had the 12th-best ERA (2.61) on the season among starting pitchers. Eighty-two strikeouts over 89.2 innings, and Gray is also on a seven-game streak where he’s had a quality start. He went at least six or more innings in every outing since May 30.
Now, from an advanced perspective, Ranger Suarez was likely the better pick. Aside from the narrative of him returning to Philly, Suarez had a better opponents’ wOBA (.272) than Gray (.291), plus a higher K/9 (9/3). So, which one would you pick?
Colson Montgomery
Much like with Yandy Diaz & Jonathan Aranda, Miguel Vargas deserved to go ahead of Colson Montgomery. Vargas has already hit 20 home runs this season and has been one of the key reasons why the Sox have gone from basement dweller to playoff contender in two years.
Montgomery, though, would have been a fun addition. A .340 wOBA, which placed him in the top 50% of the Majors this season, plus 22 home runs. Those 22 homers put him tied for eighth in the Majors this season.
Strikeouts (111) likely didn’t help Montgomery’s case, though.
Kazuma Okamoto
While an injured Munetaka Murakami has taken the league by storm this season, so has another Japanese import who has, arguably, not received close to the attention that Murakami has.
Kazuma Okamoto has been very good this season, with 19 home runs and 30 extra-base hits. And with Vladimir Guerrero Jr.‘s power drought, his ability to drive the ball consistently helped produce runs during a first-half where the Blue Jays have truly needed it.
Still, where would Okamoto slot in on the All-Star team?
Gavin Williams
The last one on our list is Gavin Williams, who’s been one of baseball’s best strikeouts over the last two seasons.
Williams, as of July 5, was tied with All-Star Cam Schlittler for fifth (123) in total strikeouts, part of the season where he’s won nine games already and posted a 3.89 ERA. The walk rate (3.1) has also come down for Williams, although he is still prone to giving up home runs (1.4) with unfortunate regularity.
But again, should Williams have made it ahead of teammate Parker Messick, who has been one of baseball’s best as a rookie?
Check out more of our MLB coverage, including a look at National League snubs.