Red Sox's Willson Contreras, Sonny Gray Headline MLB's Biggest 2026 All-Star Snubs
Red Sox’s Willson Contreras, Sonny Gray Headline MLB’s Biggest 2026 All-Star Snubs originally appeared on NESN.
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With the 2026 MLB All-Star festivities right around the corner, the league has revealed the American League and National League rosters for the annual exhibition contest. Two Red Sox players were selected: starting pitcher Ranger Suarez and closer Aroldis Chapman.
However, two huge names for Boston were ignored. First baseman Willson Contreras and starting pitcher Sonny Gray were left off the AL roster.
Both media and fans are calling these two the biggest All-Star snubs this year — and for good reason.
MORE:Ranking greatest Red Sox relief pitchers of all time
Willson Contreras has been a monster
This season, Contreras has been Boston’s best hitter, and he is a top-10 hitter in all of baseball based on OPS. This season, he’s slashing .284/.378/.542/.921 with 15 doubles, 20 home runs and 59 RBIs in 86 games.
Even with these stellar stats, he was left off the AL roster. Ben Rice and Nick Kurtz are having great seasons, but Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was selected as the starter despite his poor numbers. This was a case of the fans voting for a big name rather than the best player.
Sonny Gray has been unbeatable
With Garrett Crochet on the injured list for most of the 2026 season, Gray has emerged as the ace of Boston’s rotation.
He has posted a 10-1 record with a 2.61 ERA, 82 strikeouts and a WHIP of 1.10 over 89 2/3 innings. He has more wins than any other AL pitcher this season.
Gray shouldn’t have been left off the All-Star list. Suarez deserved his selection, but Gray should be standing right next to him.
MLB All-Star Game rosters 2026
American League starters
| Position | All-Star starter |
|---|---|
| C | Shea Langeliers, Athletics |
| 1B | Nick Kurtz, Athletics* |
| 2B | Ernie Clement, Blue Jays |
| SS | Bobby Witt Jr., Royals |
| 3B | Junior Caminero, Rays |
| OF | Mike Trout, Angels |
| OF | Byron Buxton, Twins |
| OF | Aaron Judge, Yankees |
| DH | Yordan Alvarez, Astros |
*Replacing Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Blue Jays
National League starters
| Position | All-Star starter |
|---|---|
| C | Drake Baldwin, Braves |
| 1B | Freddie Freeman, Dodgers |
| 2B | Ozzie Albies, Braves |
| SS | CJ Abrams, Nationals |
| 3B | Max Muncy, Dodgers |
| OF | Brandon Marsh, Phillies |
| OF | Juan Soto, Mets |
| OF | Andy Pages, Dodgers |
| DH | Shohei Ohtani, Dodgers |
American League pitchers
| All-Star pitcher |
|---|
| Bryan Baker, Rays |
| Dylan Cease, Blue Jays |
| Aroldis Chapman, Red Sox |
| Jacob Latz, Rangers |
| Parker Messick, Guardians |
| Drew Rasmussen, Rays |
| Joe Ryan, Twins |
| Cam Schlittler, Yankees |
| Cade Smith, Guardians |
| Ranger Suarez, Red Sox |
| Louis Varland, Blue Jays |
| Michael Wacha, Royals |
National League pitchers
| All-Star pitcher |
|---|
| Chase Burns, Reds |
| Jhoan Duran, Phillies |
| Raisel Iglesias, Braves |
| Max Meyer, Marlins |
| Mason Miller, Padres |
| Jacob Misiorowski, Brewers |
| Eduardo Rodriguez, Diamondbacks |
| Chris Sale, Braves |
| Cristopher Sanchez, Phillies |
| Paul Skenes, Pirates |
| Logan Webb, Giants |
| Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Dodgers |
American League reserves
| Position | All-Star reserve |
|---|---|
| C | Dillon Dingler, Tigers; Adley Rutschman, Orioles |
| IF | Travis Bazzana, Guardians; Kevin McGonigle, Tigers; Ben Rice, Yankees; Miguel Vargas, White Sox |
| OF | Randy Arozarena, Mariners; Cody Bellinger, Yankees; Riley Greene, Tigers |
| DH | Yandy Diaz, Rays |
National League reserves
| Position | All-Star reserve |
|---|---|
| C | William Contreras, Brewers; Hunter Goodman, Rockies |
| IF | Luis Arraez, Giants; Bryce Harper, Phillies; Otto Lopez, Marlins; Matt Olson, Braves; Sal Stewart, Reds |
| OF | Corbin Carroll, Diamondbacks; Pete Crow-Armstrong, Cubs; Jordan Walker, Cardinals; James Wood, Nationals |
| DH | Kyle Schwarber, Phillies |
