The All-Star Game is set for tonight in Philly, with representation from players of every single Major League Baseball team. Some teams have multiple players joining their league’s squad, including the four Boston Red Sox All Stars. Whether they were invited off the bat or selected due to others opting out or injury replacements, three representing Boston will play tonight, most likely. Here they are, ranked based on their first-half performance.
Writer’s Note: As of three PM on Tuesday, Sonny Gray is not an All-Star. There is a spot on the roster due to Cam Schlittler being unable to participate, but American League manager John Schneider hasn’t spoken on who would take that spot, if it’s filled at all.
Ranking the 2026 Red Sox All Stars
4. Ranger Suarez
Suarez is this low because even though he was selected as an All-Star pitcher from the start, he suffered an injury on July fifth and was subsequently placed on the injured list last Thursday. The former Phillies pitcher was signed by the Red Sox this offseason and had a decent debut, but due to injuries, there was reason to err on the side of caution. But so far, he’s maintained success in this stacked rotation.
In 17 starts, he has a 4-3 record with an ERA of 3.15. Those are decent numbers, but he also holds opponents to a .232 OBA, as well as striking out 25.8% of batters. Pretty good numbers for a guy who was projected as the fourth-best pitcher in the rotation to start the season. Now, due to injuries all over, the role he’s taken has shifted around, last seen as the second guy, backing up Gray the day after his start. But he has also gone down, so time will tell where he stands in the second half.
3. Aroldis Chapman
Now, this might be a little low for the guy who some may see as the best closer in baseball. And while he is very good for a guy in his age-38 season, it’s not quite the dominance he reached last season when he won AL Reliever of the Year. But for a closer, he’s still good.
First off, the Red Sox weren’t in the spot they are now earlier on, so the fewer close games they played, the more rest Chapman got. That lessens his impact for sure. Secondly, the game against the Colorado Rockies definitely inflated his ERA, giving up three of his seven earned runs in that game.
Other than that game, he’s been pretty good. In the season thus far, he’s gotten 16 saves with a 2.20 ERA. He’s got 36 K’s in 28 ⅔ innings, holding hitters to a .213 OBA. His Red Sox future is up in the air currently, as he’s one of the most sought-after pitchers at the deadline, but if he stays, he’ll surely be a name to watch as the Red Sox try to make their way into the postseason.
2. Ceddanne Rafaela
The improvements on the offensive side of the ball for Ceddanne Rafaela make a good case for him to be number one on this list. His batting average has jumped .32 from last season thus far, from .249 to .281. He’s got 96 hits so far this season, hopefully on pace to break his 136 from his 2025 campaign. The power is still there, with half (eight) of the ‘25 total (16) coming in the first half.
Of course, the talk around Rafaela can’t leave his glove unnoticed. The reigning AL Gold Glover in center field has a .996 fielding percentage (against a .990 league average for center fielders). He also has 16 DRS, the third most in all of baseball (behind Andy Pages and Rafaela’s teammate, Wilyer Abreu). Rafaela’s glove was always there; the Red Sox just needed his bat to fully come around, and with far fewer strikeouts than he’s had in past years, it seems that the guy who replaced Aaron Judge in the All-Star Game has become one of Boston’s best players.
1. Willson Contreras
Going into the season, the Red Sox needed two things. A full-time first baseman and a power bat. They struggled with both last year. With Triston Casas still injured from last year and the power department lacking as opposed to years past, Contreras has been a very welcome addition to the team. Taking over for Vladimir Guerrero Jr’s absence, the recent Home Run Derby contestant hit .285 and slugged 20 home runs in the first half, only four shy of his career high in a season.
Defensively, he may be in contention for a Gold Glove at first, putting up a fielding percentage of .996. He’s also been at the center of attention (like it or not) in July for Boston, between his suspension and the selection. Along with Chapman, being one of the key veterans, he will be a huge part of this second half for the team if they lean into contention.
The Red Sox have plenty of names showing out at the All-Star Game. The same stars that impacted the first half could be the ones that help down the stretch. But that’ll have to wait for the second half. The All-Star Game is tonight at 8 PM Eastern Time in Philadelphia.
Main Photo Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
