Way-Too-Early 2026 MLB All-Stars: AL & NL Roster Reactions (Toss Boss Breakdown)

No long-winded spring training poetry today. ESPN’s David Schoenfield went straight to the point: way-too-early 2026 All-Star roster predictions for the 2026 All-Star Game in Philadelphia. So let’s do what Toss Boss does—take the list, react to it, and spit the truth with extra heat.

Source: ESPN — “Way-too-early 2026 MLB All-Stars: AL, NL roster predictions” (Feb. 26, 2026)https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/48025450/mlb-2026-way-too-early-all-star-roster-predictions-american-national-league

American League Starters (with commentary)

C: Cal Raleigh (Mariners)ESPN’s basically saying, “Okay, 60 homers was historic—now what?” Fair. But even if Raleigh comes back to earth, he can still land on the moon. If the “regression” version of him is 40–50 bombs while handling a full catcher workload, that’s still All-Star ink.

1B: Nick Kurtz (Athletics)This is the spicy one: Kurtz over Vlad Jr. And I get it. A rookie line like .290/.383/.619 with 36 HR in 117 games isn’t luck—it’s a warning label. The only real nit is lefties, but if he even becomes average there, the AL first base hierarchy gets flipped.

2B: Jazz Chisholm Jr. (Yankees)AL second base is thinner than people want to admit. Jazz is the kind of pick that says “talent wins when the field is messy.” If he’s locked in, and the Yankees are doing Yankees things, the All-Star momentum is automatic.

3B: José Ramírez (Guardians)Cleveland’s king. Period. MVP voters keep treating José like the “honorable mention” GOAT—fine. All-Star voters don’t need to overthink it. He’s still the most complete third baseman in the league, and he plays with that edge you can’t teach.

SS: Bobby Witt Jr. (Royals) Witt over Gunnar is the right call right now. The defense has separated, and Witt’s become the rare shortstop who can change a game without even swinging. Kansas City having a true superstar matters, too—MLB needs it.

OF: Aaron Judge (Yankees)If Judge is upright, he’s in. End of discussion.

OF: Julio Rodríguez (Mariners) J-Rod is the “watch him, not just the slash line” All-Star. The home/road split is wild, but the total package plays anywhere. Put him in a friendlier park and the casuals would finally catch up.

OF: Roman Anthony (Red Sox)I’m buying. ESPN’s case is strong: .292/.396/.463 in 71 games as a rookie, then the power started showing up before the oblique shut him down. If he’s living around a .400 OBP and starts lifting the ball more consistently, Boston’s got another problem-maker.

DH: Yordan Alvarez (Astros)The only argument is health. If he’s on the field, he’s one of the few hitters alive who can make elite pitching look like a bad idea.

SP: Tarik Skubal (Tigers)Skubal is the cleanest ace pick in the AL. Detroit’s pitching is real, and he’s the headline.

American League Reserves (quick hits)

C

• Shea Langeliers (A’s)

1B

• Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (Blue Jays)

• Munetaka Murakami (White Sox)

2B

• Luke Keaschall (Twins)

3B

• Junior Caminero (Rays)

SS

• Gunnar Henderson (Orioles)

• Zach Neto (Angels)

OF

• Wyatt Langford (Rangers)

• Byron Buxton (Twins)

• Jarren Duran (Red Sox)

DH

• Brent Rooker (A’s)

Langeliers and Rooker are part of why the A’s being fun is one of baseball’s best plot twists. Neto is not a charity pick either—he’s legit two-way value. And Buxton? Yeah, it’s the annual health plea—but when he’s right, he changes games.

✅ Ohio Check (AL): Cade Smith showing up on the pitching side is exactly the kind of “Cleveland develops arms in a lab” flex we’ve come to expect.

American League Pitchers

Starters

• Garrett Crochet (Red Sox)

• Hunter Brown (Astros)

• Max Fried (Yankees)

• Dylan Cease (Blue Jays)

• Logan Gilbert (Mariners)

• Nathan Eovaldi (Rangers)

• Cole Ragans (Royals)

• Trevor Rogers (Orioles)

Relievers

• Aroldis Chapman (Red Sox)

• Cade Smith (Guardians)

• Andrés Muñoz (Mariners)

National League Starters (with commentary)

C: William Contreras (Brewers) NL catcher is deeper than people think, but Contreras is the “plays a ton, does a bit of everything” pick. If the power rebounds, he’s the cleanest starter.

1B: Matt Olson (Braves)Olson over Harper/Freeman/Busch is a durability + two-way bet. The man posts up every day, and in a league where stars miss time, that’s a skill.

2B: Nico Hoerner (Cubs)This is the “WAR nerds stand up” selection, but it’s not just spreadsheet stuff. If Hoerner’s hitting near .300 while playing elite defense and running, he’s a real All-Star.

3B: Alex Bregman (Cubs)NL third base is full of “yeah, but…” cases. Bregman is less “yeah, but” and more “yeah, he’s good.” Assuming he stays on the field, he’s a steady anchor.

SS: Geraldo Perdomo (D-backs) Loaded position, but Perdomo’s 2025 looked like a breakout that sticks: plate discipline, contact, pop, defense. That’s a winning profile.

OF: Juan Soto (Mets)Soto stealing bases like a dad who still thinks he’s got it is hilarious—and also terrifying, because it means he’s adding value in new ways. If the Mets win big, the MVP talk gets real.

OF: Kyle Tucker (Dodgers) Barring the injury bug, he’s a lock. The only risk is people taking him for granted because the Dodgers are basically an All-Star team already.

OF: Ronald Acuña Jr. (Braves)The talent is still nuclear. The only debate is availability. If he’s on the field, he’s starting.

DH: Shohei Ohtani (Dodgers) We’re running out of words for what this guy is. If he’s pitching a full season and hitting like himself, the NL is playing for second place in the awards.

SP: Paul Skenes (Pirates)Yes, Pittsburgh. Yes, an ace. Skenes is the kind of starter you build a national broadcast around. If the Pirates let him go deeper, the numbers could get even nastier.

National League Reserves (quick hits)

C

• Will Smith (Dodgers)

• Hunter Goodman (Rockies)

1B

• Michael Busch (Cubs)

2B

• Ketel Marte (D-backs)

3B

• Manny Machado (Padres)

SS

• Mookie Betts (Dodgers)

• Masyn Winn (Cardinals)

OF

• Fernando Tatis Jr. (Padres)

• Corbin Carroll (D-backs)

• James Wood (Nationals)

DH

• Kyle Schwarber (Phillies)

Goodman as the Rockies rep makes sense—Coors or not, 30+ homers plays. And if Schwarber brings anything close to that 56-HR thunder again, Philly’s going to be shaking all summer.

National League Pitchers

Starters

• Cristopher Sánchez (Phillies)

• Yoshinobu Yamamoto (Dodgers)

• Hunter Greene (Reds)

• Logan Webb (Giants)

• Nolan McLean (Mets)

• Chris Sale (Braves)

• Jacob Misiorowski (Brewers)

• Eury Pérez (Marlins)

Relievers

• Mason Miller (Padres)

• Jhoan Duran (Phillies)

• Edwin Díaz (Dodgers)

✅ Ohio Check (NL): Hunter Greene making it is the most believable thing on the list. The Reds have been waiting on the “30 starts, full unleash” year. If that happens, the league’s going to feel it.

Toss Boss bottom line

This ESPN list nails the balance: superstar locks (Judge, Ohtani, Soto) plus next-wave statements (Kurtz, Roman Anthony, Perdomo, McLean). And the part I love most? The Midwest isn’t begging for attention—it’s earning it. José Ramírez is still the standard in Cleveland, and if Greene pops, Ohio baseball gets a national mic again.

Who’s your biggest snub from these rosters—and who’s the one “no way” pick you’re calling right now?