Yordan Alvarez will start the All-Star Game for the American League—and given what he has done this season, it would have been difficult to argue otherwise.
MLB announced Friday that Alvarez was voted the AL’s starting designated hitter for the Midsummer Classic, to be played July 14 at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia. It is his fourth All-Star selection and his second as a starter. He is the only Astros player on this year’s AL roster, the team’s fewest selections since 2014.
“I think it’s a beautiful experience to be able to start the All-Star Game,” Alvarez said through an interpreter Saturday. “I think it’s every player’s dream to be able to do that.”
The numbers back the honor without argument. Alvarez has been among the most dominant offensive players in baseball this season, leading the AL in home runs while ranking near the top of the league in virtually every meaningful offensive category. By quality of contact metrics, he has been in rarified air—among the very best in the sport at making hard, consistent contact.
The selection is a reminder of what this team was missing last year. Alvarez played just 48 games in 2025, a fractured right hand costing him 100 games and an ankle sprain cutting short what remained of his season. The Astros missed the playoffs for the first time since 2016. This year, he has started all but two of Houston’s 91 games and has been as dominant as he has ever been.
“I came this year hungry to be able to stay out there on the field,” Alvarez said. “I think it’s something unfortunate what happened last year. And I think the numbers represent the bit of rest that I had from last year.”
Manager Joe Espada made the announcement to the team before Saturday’s game and spoke to what Alvarez means beyond the statistics.
“This is probably the best first half I’ve seen of a position player at the major leagues,” Espada said. “But we told him not only what he means to the organization as a baseball player, like what you guys see on the baseball field, but also just a great teammate, a good father, good husband. Just a good guy to be around.”
Alvarez has said he has no interest in participating in the Home Run Derby, which precedes the All-Star Game on July 13. He said he looks forward to sharing the experience with his family, including his son.
“They’ve been there before with me,” Alvarez said, “and I think my son that plays baseball, who loves baseball also, is going to have a lot of fun.”
