Philadelphia’s hosting duties fuel surprising All-Star vote totals, while the front office evaluates outfield options and a key division rival faces pitching uncertainty
All-Star Voting: Surprises and Snubs
The first wave of 2026 MLB All-Star voting results has produced some unexpected storylines for the Philadelphia Phillies, who are hosting this year’s Midsummer Classic at Citizens Bank Park .
The Unexpected Contenders
Bryson Stott currently sits in second place among National League second basemen with 399,729 votes, trailing only Atlanta’s Ozzie Albies . The surprise comes from Stott’s modest offensive production this season – he’s hitting .232 with a .673 OPS, numbers that don’t typically generate All-Star consideration .
Even more stunning is Alec Bohm’s placement. Despite a .219 average and .626 OPS, Bohm is also second among NL third basemen behind Dodgers slugger Max Muncy . The weak state of the NL third base position may be contributing to his support, but his vote total remains a genuine head-scratcher .
A Star on the Bubble
Perhaps the most significant All-Star voting storyline involves Bryce Harper. The Phillies’ first baseman currently sits in third place, trailing both Matt Olson (Braves) and Freddie Freeman (Dodgers) . Only the top two vote-getters advance to the next phase, meaning Harper is currently on the outside looking in – a notable development given his .253 average, 15 home runs, and the game being played in Philadelphia .
Positive Signals
Not all the news is concerning. Kyle Schwarber ranks second among designated hitters with 820,009 votes, behind only Shohei Ohtani . Outfielder Brandon Marsh has emerged as a legitimate All-Star candidate, ranking third among NL outfielders with 668,191 votes . Marsh entered Monday’s game with a .322 batting average, which ranks fourth in baseball and third in the NL .
“Great for him and great for us, and it’s good to see that nationally he’s starting to get recognized,” interim manager Don Mattingly said of Marsh .
Phase 1 of voting concludes on June 25, with the top two vote-getters at each position advancing to the second phase .
Trade Rumors: Outfield Priorities
The Phillies are actively seeking outfield help following Adolis Garcia’s season-ending right lat tear, which landed him on the 60-day injured list .
Top Targets Identified
According to MLB insider Bob Nightengale, the Phillies have two specific players on their radar: Jo Adell of the Los Angeles Angels and Seiya Suzuki of the Chicago Cubs .
Jo Adell: The former top prospect has developed into a legitimate power threat, hitting 37 home runs last season and already totaling 10 this year . The 27-year-old is under contract through 2028, making him a multi-year solution . However, his defense remains a concern, with a -3 Fielding Run Value placing him in the 13th percentile .
Seiya Suzuki: The Japanese outfielder offers a more complete package, posting a .255/.339/.433 slash line with 10 home runs this season . More notably, his +4 Fielding Run Value ranks in the 84th percentile, representing by far the best defensive season of his career . Suzuki has a full no-trade clause and becomes a free agent after this season, complicating any potential deal .
Realistic Expectations
Despite the high-profile targets, the Phillies’ limited farm system depth may force a more modest addition . Todd Zolecki of MLB suggested on 97.5 The Fanatic that a more likely scenario involves acquiring a player comparable to Austin Hays or Harrison Bader .
“I feel like it’s another Bader, Austin Hays type trade,” Zolecki said. “If you look at the Phillies farm system, they’re not terribly deep… They don’t have a lot of big names” .
While Bader was productive in Philadelphia last season with a .305/.361/.463 line in 50 games, Hays struggled badly, posting a .672 OPS . The Phillies have already made one small move, acquiring Derek Hill from the White Sox for depth after losing Johan Rojas .
Spencer Strider: Good News for the Braves
The news regarding Atlanta Braves ace Spencer Strider offers relief for the division leaders, though with a significant timeline .
Diagnosis and Timeline
Strider was placed on the 15-day injured list on Saturday after leaving his start against the New York Mets with right elbow discomfort . An MRI revealed no ligament damage, meaning the right-hander will not require another surgery – a significant relief given his history of two major elbow procedures .
However, Strider has been shut down from throwing for four weeks . He will undergo a follow-up MRI at the end of that period and can begin a throwing progression only if the inflammation has resolved . This timeline points to a potential return in late August or September at the earliest .
Injury History
Strider underwent Tommy John surgery in 2019 and had the UCL in his right elbow repaired with an internal brace in April 2024 . The 4-2 pitcher with a 5.31 ERA this season was making his eighth start after missing the first 34 games recovering from a strained left oblique .
Manager Walt Weiss noted that the team grew concerned when Strider’s velocity dipped dramatically during his last start .
“The alarm bells went off when we started seeing the upper 80s with his fastball,” Weiss said following Friday’s loss .
Implications for the Phillies
The Braves currently hold a significant lead in the NL East, and Strider’s extended absence could provide the Phillies an opportunity to close the gap . Philadelphia has already shown resilience, improving to 39-33 after a disastrous 9-19 start that led to manager Rob Thomson’s dismissal .
On-Field Performance
The Phillies’ recent form has been encouraging. Zack Wheeler struck out nine in six scoreless innings of two-hit ball in Monday’s 7-0 shutout of the Marlins, lowering his ERA to 2.01 . Gabriel Rincones Jr. homered for his first career hit, while J.T. Realmuto and Harper also contributed offensively .
Philadelphia enters Tuesday’s game against Miami with a 4-1 season series lead and a six-game homestand underway .
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