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Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. will start the MLB All-Star Game for the first time after fans voted him the American League’s starting shortstop for the 2026 Midsummer Classic.
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The selection marks Witt’s third consecutive All-Star appearance but his first career start after serving as a reserve in both 2024 and 2025.
The 26-year-old earned the fan vote following another productive season and will represent the Royals in Philadelphia on July 14, adding another milestone to one of baseball’s fastest-rising careers.
Witt reacted to the announcement on X, writing, “Thank you to all the fans who voted for the All-Star Game! It’s an honor to represent the Royals and the AL in Philadelphia! It was even more special to get the news on America 250. Grateful and proud!! “
Thank you to all the fans who voted for the All-Star Game! It’s an honor to represent the Royals and the AL in Philadelphia!
It was even more special to get the news on America 250. Grateful and proud!! pic.twitter.com/EU6XpuPQkw
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— Bobby Witt Jr (@BwittJr) July 5, 2026
Selected second overall by the Kansas City Royals in the 2019 MLB Draft, Witt debuted in 2022 and has since won back-to-back Gold Glove Awards, Silver Slugger Awards and the 2025 American League Platinum Glove Award.
He entered Sunday’s games batting .286 with a .358 on-base percentage, an .823 OPS, 12 home runs, 36 RBIs, 29 stolen bases and 44 runs across 83 games.
Despite the Kansas City Royals sitting at 35-54 and fourth in the American League Central, Witt has remained the club’s standout performer. His first fan-elected All-Star start also makes him just the third Royals shortstop to earn that honor.
The 2026 All-Star Game at Citizens Bank Park will give Witt his first opportunity to take the field as a starter, a breakthrough moment after spending his previous two All-Star appearances on the American League bench.
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This story was originally published July 5, 2026 at 10:57 AM.