Yardbarker
x
Dodgers' Mookie Betts earning All-Star votes despite struggles
Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts. Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Dodgers' Mookie Betts earning All-Star votes despite struggles

By Mike J. Asti  |  Last updated Jun 15, 2026 5:14 PM ET
Google Add us as a preferred source on Google

When it comes to Mookie Betts' actual production so far during the 2026 season, the Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop is enduring the worst year of his career. Usually regarded as one of the best players in baseball, Betts hasn't been himself in his 37 games played.

So is it possible Betts, carrying a .204 batting average and a 0.6 bWAR, will be named an All-Star? 

Will Mookie Betts be an All-Star despite his struggles? 

Well, yes, and it's not because he could get hot and elevate his numbers, but fans seemingly want to see him at Philadelphia's Citizens Bank Park, home to the 2026 MLB All-Star Game, no matter what. 

Also, as of  Monday, Betts has 567,566 votes (the number when results were released), placing him second among all National League shortstops. Betts is only slightly behind CJ Abrams of the Washington Nationals and just ahead of the Cincinnati Reds star Elly De La Cruz. 

And while Abrams would currently earn the fans' vote, his total of 579,796 provides him a slim cushion ahead of the more established Betts. However, in looking at their numbers, the voting shouldn't be close.

Which players truly deserve the honor this season?

Abrams has only been an All-Star once compared to eight for Betts. He's only appeared in the postseason once; Betts is a four-time World Series champion between his time with the Boston Red Sox and the Dodgers' back-to-back titles. But he's hitting .290 with a 2.6 bWAR, 14 home runs, 53 RBIs, 10 stolen bases and an OBP of .377. 

In addition to Betts' pedestrian average, he has just seven homers, 18 RBIs and one stolen base with an OBP of .267.  

De La Cruz, an All-Star each of the past two seasons, is actually the player with the argument to earn the starting spot over Abrams. To his credit, he has a .280 average, a 2.1 bWAR, 12 long balls, 37 RBIs, 10 steals and a .346 OBP.  

Betts is clearly receiving votes thanks to his name recognition alone, something that's evident based on the results of other positions across both leagues to this point, too. 

To not just single Betts out, granted the anomaly of his season in comparison to his full career jumps off the page, Philadelphia Phillies' Trea Turner and his -0.2 bWAR and .219 average is in fourth place for short-stops with a bizarre 414,652 votes, a figure that only be explained due to coming off a 2025 season that saw him finish in the top five for the National League MVP Award.

Betts' full career still speaks for itself  

One rough start to a season won't ruin Betts' body of work or star power. In the midst of his 13th season, Betts, 33, has a cumulative 75.7 bWAR, a career slash line of .288/.366/.509 with 298 home runs, 931 RBIs, 1,797 hits, 1,188 runs scored and 197 stolen bases. 

Factoring in Betts' statistics and metrics with his postseason accolades, he's making a strong case for the Baseball Hall of Fame. However, deserving enshrinement in Cooperstown doesn't mean a 2026 All-Star selection would be based on merit. 

Mike J. Asti
X

Mike Asti is an experienced media personality and journalist with a vast resume and skillset, most notably from time with TribLIVE Radio and WPXI-TV. Asti now serves as the Managing Editor of WV Sports Now, where he leads the coverage of WVU sports. He has also covered the Steelers, Penguins, Pirates and other teams within the Pittsburgh market

More must-reads:

Customize Your Newsletter

Yardbarker +

Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA.