Joe Ryan earns second All-Star nod as Buxton starts for AL
Minnesota Twins pitcher Joe Ryan was selected to the 2026 American League All-Star team for the second straight year through the players’ vote, while center fielder Byron Buxton was voted an AL starting outfielder for the first time in his career. Both will represent Minnesota at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia on July 14.
Twins manager Derek Shelton delivered the news Saturday morning at Yankee Stadium, confirming the pair will run it back at the Midsummer Classic. The announcement capped a strong day for Buxton, who returned to the lineup and opened scoring against the Yankees with a first-inning RBI double.
Key Takeaways
- Joe Ryan made his second consecutive All-Star team via the players’ vote, one of five AL starting pitchers selected.
- Byron Buxton was voted an AL starting outfielder for the first time, his third career All-Star honor and second as a starter.
- The 2026 All-Star Game is scheduled for July 14 at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia.
- Former Twins relievers Louis Varland and Jhoan Duran also earned All-Star spots, highlighting frustration over Minnesota’s struggling bullpen.
- Ryan enters the break with a 5-5 record, a 3.61 ERA, 113 strikeouts and 22 walks across 18 starts and 97⅓ innings.
Why did Joe Ryan make the All-Star team again?
Ryan earned his second straight All-Star nod through peer voting, reflecting respect from fellow players for his first-half performance. Through 18 starts, he owns a 5-5 record with a 3.61 ERA, 113 strikeouts and 22 walks in 97⅓ innings, according to the Star Tribune.
Ryan previously pitched a perfect fourth inning at the 2025 All-Star Game in Atlanta. Despite ranking in the 30th percentile in fastball velocity per Statcast, with his four-seamer below 94 mph, his plus ride and command have made him one of baseball’s most effective starters.
How did Byron Buxton earn his first All-Star start?
Fans voted Buxton as an American League starting outfielder, giving him 20 percent of the vote. He joins Angels outfielder Mike Trout and Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge in the AL outfield, though both are currently on the injured list.
Buxton, a three-time All-Star, avoided tracking fan voting on social media throughout the season. Representing the Twins carries extra meaning for the No. 2 pick in the 2012 draft, who signed a seven-year, $100 million extension in 2021.
What does All-Star weekend mean for the Twins?
For the second consecutive year, Buxton and Ryan will share the national stage together. Ryan told reporters it felt like déjà vu running it back with Buxton, noting the pair had wondered weeks earlier whether they would repeat the honor.
Yet the celebration comes with tension. Former Twins relievers Louis Varland, traded to Toronto last summer, and Jhoan Duran, now with Philadelphia, were also named All-Stars. As Puckett’s Pond reported, Minnesota relievers ranked 30th in ERA (5.36) entering Sunday, fueling frustration that traded arms are thriving while the current bullpen struggles.
Where can readers follow more sports and market news?
All-Star selections often mirror broader performance trends that fans and investors alike track across sectors. For additional coverage of trending stories, visit our Fintech & Crypto Alerts section at BlasterPost.com.