Really Vlad? Four AL First Basemen Getting Snubbed by Guerrero Jr.’s ASG Start

MLB's Midsummer Classic has an affinity for extending tokens of respect and acknowledging past greatness among sentimental favorite players. The "Legend" additions of Albert Pujols in the National League and Miguel Cabrera in 2022 come to mind, tingling the senses of baseball fans everywhere as true appreciation for two Hall of Fame careers was extended to both eventual first ballot inductees. Both Pujols and Cabrera might not have had the statistical offensive output to justify their nod to join the list of All Star selections in 2022, but nobody blinked an eye in assuring that their presence, and active playing time in the game, was an absolute treat for fans who had watched the careers of those two all time greats over the past two decades.

For the 2026 All Star Game, the clear leader in votes at first base, and the player likely to start, is Vladimir Guerrero Jr. of the 39 and 42 Toronto Blue Jays. Now granted, Vlad seems like a helluva nice guy. Can that, in and of itself, represent the only measure of greatness in today's MLB?

In terms of sentiment, it is far too early to reflect on Vlad's career and acknowledge this All Star Game starting nod as his swan song segue into the annals of Cooperstown. He is 27 years old, the exact age when star players are expected to peak and, in terms of offensive production, absolutely rake.

Instead, Guerrero Jr. sits fourth on his team in OPS and eighth in home runs, with ummmm... four. That is well behind backup catcher Brandon Valenzuela and number nine hitter Andres Gimenez, who each have seven. Now Vlad does have a nice throwing arm for a first baseman, but that, in and of itself, should not determine who starts the All Star Game at first base.

To be honest, it is laughable, and a complete mockery of the voting system, which is effectively limitless and entirely online. Vlad is nowhere near the usual statistical threshold that would grant anyone consideration for a last minute All Star call up, let alone a spot in the starting lineup.

Canadian fans love Vladdy, which is perfectly fine. But if sentiment can be put on the shelf for just a moment, it becomes crystal clear that virtually every first baseman on the American League ballot has a stronger case this season. This is not to suggest that he will not tear it up in the second half. He probably will.

But here are four players who, through the concept of being snubbed, clearly have every reason to feel overlooked. That frustration will likely be directed toward destroying opposing pitching, and that does not bode well for the Blue Jays. This quartet deserves a place on the American League All Star roster well ahead of Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Ben Rice

Yandy Diaz

Nick Kurtz

Pete Alonso