Shohei Ohtani has been named the National League's starting designated hitter for the 2026 All-Star Game, leading all Major League players with 3,341,257 votes. This marks Ohtani's sixth consecutive All-Star appearance and his first time being the top overall vote-getter. The All-Star Game is scheduled for July 14 at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, where Dodgers' manager Dave Roberts will lead the NL squad. Six other Dodgers have advanced to the next round of voting, which begins on Monday. Ohtani is currently thriving with a .963 OPS and 17 home runs this season, alongside a stellar 1.58 ERA as a pitcher.

By the Numbers
  • Ohtani leads all Major League players with 3,341,257 votes.
  • He has a .295 batting average with a .963 OPS and 17 home runs this season.
  • Ohtani's 1.58 ERA is the second-lowest among pitchers with at least 50 innings this season.
Yes, But

While Ohtani has secured his spot as a DH in the All-Star Game, there is no guarantee he will also be selected as a pitcher. His previous selections from 2021-23 as both a DH and pitcher may complicate expectations for this year's team composition.

State of Play
  • Ohtani's impressive performance includes a second-best OPS among NL hitters.
  • As of now, six Dodgers have advanced to Phase 2 of All-Star voting.
  • Phase 2 voting begins Monday at 9 a.m. PT and concludes next Thursday.
What's Next

With Phase 2 of All-Star voting around the corner, additional Dodgers could secure starting roles, potentially impacting Ohtani's overall standing. Expect more roster announcements on July 4 as the final selections for all positions are revealed.

Bottom Line

Ohtani's record-setting vote total not only underscores his popularity but also his dual-threat capabilities as both a hitter and pitcher, setting the stage for ongoing excitement leading up to the All-Star Game.