Overview
- The fan portion of the 2026 All-Star ballot opened in early June with position-player starters to be chosen through a two-phase vote while pitchers and reserves will be picked by player ballots and the commissioner’s office.
- Phase One allows up to five votes per email each day and will run through late June with a Phase Two to pick starters reported inconsistently as either June 25–29 or June 29–July 2, which could affect coordinated fan campaigns.
- Phillies coverage highlights candidates including Kyle Schwarber, who led the majors in homers in early June, Bryce Harper, Brandon Marsh and pitchers such as Cristopher Sánchez and Zack Wheeler as vote targets for home fans.
- Reds coverage spotlights Elly De La Cruz (who is on the injured list with a hamstring), Sal Stewart, JJ Bleday and starter Chase Burns as local names fans are being asked to support on the ballot.
- Last year’s controversy over Cristopher Sánchez being left off the initial roster is driving local urgency because pitchers are chosen differently and the All-Star Game at Citizens Bank Park raises the stakes for hometown representation and Home Run Derby picks.