5 biggest MLB All-Star Game Snubs: Willson Contreras, Zack Wheeler among standouts

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5 biggest MLB All-Star Game Snubs: Willson Contreras, Zack Wheeler among standouts

Joey Mistretta, ClutchPoints · ClutchPoints

Mon, Jul 6, 2026 ·

3 min read

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5 biggest MLB All-Star Game Snubs: Willson Contreras, Zack Wheeler among standouts appeared first on ClutchPoints . Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here .

The MLB All-Star Game rosters were recently announced. While many teams had All-Star snubs , five specific snubs stand out. Today, we are going to look at the five biggest snubs of the 2026 MLB All-Star Game.

Before getting into the story, it is important to remember that some of these players — especially the pitchers — could end up being added as replacements for the final roster. Starting pitchers who start the Sunday before the All-Star Game — which is on Tuesday (July 14) — are always replaced on the roster since they are not expected to pitch on two-days rest for an exhibition game in July.

With that note out of the way, let's look at the biggest All-Star snubs this year.

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Willson Contreras , Boston Red Sox

Contreras is unquestionably among the biggest snubs. His Red Sox have underperformed overall, but the veteran first baseman has still enjoyed a big season. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. , Nick Kurtz , Ben Rice and Yandy Diaz all ended up making the American League roster as first basemen, so earning a selection was always going to be difficult. Guerrero is not expected to participate in the game , but there are still three other first basemen on the roster at the moment.

Nevertheless, Contreras is hitting .284/.378/.542 to go along with 20 home runs across 86 games played as of this story's writing. First base may be deep in the AL, but Contreras is still deserving.

Zack Wheeler , Philadelphia Phillies

Zack Wheeler surely would have made the initial roster if he had pitched for the entire season. However, the Phillies star missed the first portion of the year while on the injured list. With many talented pitchers in the National League, there simply was not room for Wheeler, who has only made 13 starts. Still, he's been terrific during that span, pitching to a stellar 2.36 ERA while recording 84 strikeouts.

It would not be surprising to see Wheeler end up on the NL roster as a pitcher replacement.

Sonny Gray , Boston Red Sox

The fact that Gray did not make the roster is surprising to say the least. The veteran right-hander has turned in a 2.61 ERA across 16 starts. He also has 82 strikeouts. Although wins and losses do not mean as much as they once did for pitchers in today's MLB, Gray is still 10-1 overall for a Red Sox team that has struggled. He is clearly giving his team opportunities to win games.

Similarly to Wheeler, Gray could end up as a pitcher replacement for the AL roster.

Brice Turang , Milwaukee Brewers

Turang has quietly become one of the better versatile position players in the game. He enjoyed a breakout 2025 season and finished 14th in National League MVP voting despite not earning an All-Star selection. He was once again left off the All-Star roster this year despite hitting .268 to go along with an .820 OPS, 12 home runs, 20 doubles, three triples and 13 stolen bases.

Turang is establishing himself as a star, but he certainly remains one of the most underrated players in all of MLB.

Logan Gilbert , Seattle Mariners

There are many players who could be included among the five biggest All-Star snubs. Gilbert edges out the rest of the competition for the fifth spot, however.

The right-hander's 3.19 ERA is respectable, and he's also turned in a 0.950 WHIP and 114 strikeouts across 18 starts. Gilbert pitches every fifth day and gives his team opportunities to win games. The Mariners have had an up and down season, but Gilbert has continued to help keep them competitive in the AL West division standings.

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