Ben Rice joins four-strong Yankees All-Star class in Philly
The New York Yankees will send four players to the 2026 MLB All-Star Game on July 14 in Philadelphia, with Ben Rice earning his first Midsummer Classic selection alongside fellow first-timer Cam Schlittler, fan-voted outfield starter Aaron Judge, and Cody Bellinger. Rice has emerged as the club's top power bat while Judge remains sidelined by a rib injury.
Major League Baseball announced the American League roster on Saturday, confirming a strong Bronx representation at Citizens Bank Park. For more fast-moving sports and celebrity updates, follow our Celebrity Breaking News hub.
Key Takeaways
- Ben Rice was chosen by Major League Baseball for his first All-Star nod as the Yankees first baseman.
- Cam Schlittler and Cody Bellinger were elected by players; Aaron Judge was voted an AL outfield starter by fans.
- Judge will not play because of a stress fracture in his right rib, per MLB.com.
- Rice leads the Yankees in home runs and RBIs and has become a mainstay at first base after roster uncertainty as recently as 2025.
- Schlittler ranks among the AL's elite pitchers with a 2.08 ERA and the league's top WAR among hurlers by Baseball Reference.
Why did Ben Rice make the 2026 All-Star team?
With Judge out, Rice has carried much of the Yankees' offensive weight. MLB.com reported he leads the club in home runs (24) and RBIs (56), turning a rapid turnaround into All-Star recognition.
Pinstripe Alley noted Rice entered the break slashing .270/.362/.569 with 24 homers, 56 RBI, 58 runs, a 155 wRC+ and 2.4 fWAR across 82 games. Major League Baseball selected him directly rather than through the fan or player ballot.
Dartmouth College Athletics highlighted Rice's broader arc: the left-hand slugger is batting .267 with 27 home runs, 56 RBI and a .921 OPS in 2026, tied for sixth in the league in homers. It marks his first All-Star honor since debuting with New York on June 18, 2024.
Who joins Rice on the Yankees All-Star roster?
Aaron Judge was voted in as an American League outfield starter despite missing time with a stress fracture of his right rib. Pinstripe Alley listed his pre-break line at 59 games, 17 home runs, 38 RBI and a .248/.375/.533 slash with 150 wRC+.
Cam Schlittler represents the pitching staff after player election. The right-hander is 8-5 with a 2.08 ERA, 123 strikeouts and 3.2 fWAR over 18 starts and 104 innings. MLB.com added that he leads AL pitchers in WAR (3.4), ERA and ERA+ (203) by Baseball Reference.
Cody Bellinger rounds out the quartet as a player-elected reserve. Pinstripe Alley credited his all-around value at .252/.351/.429 with 11 homers, 49 RBI and 2.6 fWAR in 85 games.
What does this mean for Rice and the Midsummer Classic?
The All-Star Game is scheduled for July 14 at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia. Judge will not participate while he recovers, leaving Rice, Schlittler and Bellinger to represent the Yankees on the field.
For Rice, the nod validates a swift climb from fighting for a roster spot in 2025 to anchoring first base in 2026. The Dartmouth alum was drafted in 2021 after batting .242 during the 2019 and 2020 seasons with the Big Green before reaching Yankee Stadium.
Schlittler's first All-Star selection mirrors that momentum on the mound. Pinstripe Alley noted the Yankees may be leaking oil approaching the break, yet the debutants join established stars as the club brings four names to the Midsummer Classic.