Every MLB season brings surprises — breakout stars, late bloomers, and young players who finally put all the pieces together. While established names usually dominate All-Star voting, each year a handful of players force themselves into the national spotlight through performance alone.
Looking ahead to the 2026 season, several emerging talents appear poised to make that leap. Whether through newfound power, elite two-way play, or steady development, these five players stand out as strong candidates to earn their first MLB All-Star selection next summer.
Five MLB Players Who Could Be First-Time All-Stars in 2026
Brice Turang (2B, Milwaukee Brewers)
Brice Turang has steadily evolved from a glove-first prospect into one of the most complete second basemen in baseball. In 2025, he made a significant leap at the plate, showcasing improved bat speed and gap-to-gap power that transformed him into an above-average offensive force. Turang’s growing confidence allowed him to hit for average while also showing the ability to drive the ball with authority, resulting in career highs across virtually every offensive category for the Brewers. Add in his smooth infield defense and dynamic baserunning, and he now profiles as the type of all-around contributor who garners national attention. Given his consistency, durability, and ability to impact games in multiple ways, Turang is trending firmly toward All-Star recognition.
Shea Langeliers (C, Oakland Athletics)
Shea Langeliers has long flashed power, but in 2025, he put everything together in a way that elevated him into one of the most dangerous catchers in the league. Working closely with the A’s hitting staff, Langeliers improved his plate discipline and began driving mistakes with authority, resulting in a career-best power surge. Few catchers combine his bat speed, raw power, and ability to control the running game, and even fewer do it while catching a young, developing staff. His defensive leadership gives him added value, but it’s the leap forward with the bat — something that separates All-Star catchers from regular starters — that positions him for a potential first selection. If he repeats or builds upon his 2025 power numbers, he could be a near-lock in 2026.
Brandon Nimmo (OF, Texas Rangers)
Brandon Nimmo’s move to the new-look Texas Rangers gives him a fresh opportunity to take his game to another level — and potentially earn his first All-Star nod. Long regarded as one of baseball’s most underrated on-base machines, Nimmo brings a disciplined approach that anchors the top of any lineup. But Texas believes he can be even more dynamic: driving the ball with more authority, leveraging Globe Life Field’s favorable gaps, and taking on a leadership role in an offense built around balance and versatility.
Brandon Nimmo had a full no-trade clause and still chose to waive it to join the Texas Rangers
He said after speaking with former Mets teammate Jacob deGrom, he felt confident that coming to Texas was the right move, believing this group is “capable of winning the World… pic.twitter.com/N0r7GUfKwp
— Rangers Nation
(@Rangers__Nation) November 25, 2025
Nimmo’s combination of plate discipline, sneaky power, and improved defensive instincts in the corner outfield makes him a stabilizing presence for a team looking to retool on the fly. With more lineup protection, an organizational push for aggression on the bases, and a ballpark that rewards line-drive hitters, Nimmo could produce his most complete season yet. If he stays healthy and sets the tone atop the Rangers’ lineup, 2026 could finally be the year he transitions from under-appreciated to undeniable — and earns that long-awaited All-Star selection.
Gavin Williams (RHP, Cleveland Guardians)
Gavin Williams has the arsenal and presence of a future top-of-the-rotation arm, and 2026 could be the season he fully breaks into stardom. After showing flashes of dominance in prior seasons, injuries slowed his momentum — but when healthy, Williams boasts a high-90s fastball, a wipeout slider, and a hammer curve that misses bats with ease. His strikeout ability already ranks near the top of young AL starters, and the Guardians have a strong track record of elevating pitchers once they stay on the mound consistently. What Williams needs most is a full, uninterrupted season — if he gets it, the numbers (elite K-rate, low ERA, ace-level confidence) could put him squarely in the All-Star conversation by June. With Cleveland’s team defense and pitching development structure behind him, Williams is one of the most realistic first-time All-Stars among rising AL arms.
Gavin Williams receives a nice ovation from the crowd in Queens after coming just two outs away from a no-hitter
pic.twitter.com/UdHDCpizVC
— MLB (@MLB) August 6, 2025
Roldy Brito (2B/OF, Colorado Rockies)
A long shot, but you never know. Roldy Brito represents the classic potential surprise All-Star — a young player with exciting tools, elite athleticism, and an opportunity to shine on a team hungry for impactful talent. A contact-oriented hitter with sneaky power, Brito excels at putting the ball in play and pressuring defenses with his speed. His defensive versatility allows him to contribute at multiple positions, a valuable trait for a Rockies club looking to infuse energy and upside into its everyday lineup. If Brito receives consistent playing time and adapts quickly to major league pitching, Coors Field’s hitting environment could accelerate his rise. With daily at-bats, his combination of contact, emerging power, and speed could lead to a breakout season statistically — the type that often pushes a young player into unexpected All-Star territory.
The Last Word
Taken together, these five players highlight the wide range of talent ready to break through in 2026. Turang’s all-around growth, Langeliers’ power surge, Nimmo’s fresh start in Texas, Williams’ frontline potential, and Brito’s athletic upside each offer a different path to a first All-Star appearance. Some are refining their skills, others are finally healthy, and a few are stepping into bigger roles with new opportunities. If their 2025 trends carry over, all five could find themselves firmly in the conversation by midseason. As always, the next wave of first-time All-Stars will come from players just like these — those who turned flashes of promise into consistent production and forced the baseball world to take notice.
Main Photo Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images
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