The Detroit Tigers may not be lighting up the 2026 season, but that doesn’t mean they don’t have standout players deserving of All-Star recognition. As fan voting kicks into high gear, the initial results have rolled in, and a few Tigers are making their mark, though some key players have been surprisingly overlooked.
Riley Greene is making waves, securing a top-six spot in the AL outfield fan voting. However, the story takes a turn with Dillon Dingler and Kevin McGonigle, who find themselves on the outside looking in, despite impressive performances that arguably outshine their competition.
Let’s break it down, starting with Dillon Dingler. Despite racking up 2,61,084 votes and sitting fourth among AL catchers, Dingler finds himself edged out by Toronto Blue Jays’ Alejandro Kirk, who has played a mere seven games.
Kirk’s 298,401 votes put him just ahead of Dingler, despite the latter boasting a robust .855 OPS, 16 home runs, 50 RBIs, and being a defensive powerhouse. It’s a head-scratcher, especially considering Kirk’s .799 OPS doesn’t quite measure up.
Then there’s Kevin McGonigle, who finds himself third in the voting for AL All-Star shortstop with 266,239 votes. He’s trailing Bobby Witt Jr. and Andres Gimenez, the latter of whom has a .620 OPS that pales in comparison to McGonigle’s .789. It’s a puzzling scenario, as McGonigle’s stats suggest he should be right in the thick of the All-Star conversation.
The Blue Jays’ fanbase is known for its voting prowess, but this year’s results are raising eyebrows. With Kirk’s limited playtime and Gimenez’s underwhelming numbers, it’s hard to justify their lead over Dingler and McGonigle. As the voting continues, Tigers fans will be hoping for a shift that reflects the true performances on the field.