Which Cubs Should Go to the All-Star Game?

[Andres Chavez]

Image courtesy of © Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images

The 2026 MLB All-Star Game is right around the corner. In a couple of weeks, some of the league’s brightest stars will be showing the world the best of their talent at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia. The Chicago Cubs have had a rollercoaster of a season so far, with a 47-38 record that places them second in the NL Central, 5.5 games behind the Milwaukee Brewers. One would think that they are about to place multiple players in the upcoming Midsummer Classic, but that’s not the case.

Cubs players haven’t been getting a ton of love in the voting process. Pete Crow-Armstrong, one of the best outfielders in the National League and MLB as a whole and the only shoo-in to play in the All-Star Game for Chicago, didn’t even make it to Phase 2.

PCA Has to Go to the ASG

The Cubs have enjoyed several good seasons from the members of their lineup, but not quite elite—with the exception of Crow-Armstrong. The center fielder leads baseball with 4.9 fWAR before Tuesday’s games and has homered 17 times, while adding 20 stolen bases. His 144 wRC+ is sixth among National League position players.

There's no way Crow-Armstrong will be left out of the party. He's one of the most well-rounded and charismatic stars in the game, and though he won't be voted in as a starter, he'll certainly be selected for the team.

Again, the Cubs have multiple position players worthy of a mention: Seiya Suzuki has a 122 wRC+, Ian Happ has 17 home runs, and Michael Busch is surging with a 117 wRC+. All of them fall short of All-Star status this year, though.

Ben Brown Deserves a Mention

The Cubs have had some horrible luck with injuries to their pitching staff, and that unit won't produce an All-Star this year. However, though he won’t be healthy in time for the game, one could make a very solid case for Ben Brown. Among pitchers with at least 60 innings this year, Brown is fourth in the majors with his 1.85 ERA. His 2.50 FIP is tied for fifth. Brown has been a revelation, but is looking at several weeks on the shelf, if not the balance of the season. His manager, Craig Counsell, explained last week that Brown is dealing with a stress reaction in his neck and will have limited activity for the next month. His 2024 campaign was ruined by a similar ailment, so the entire fanbase is praying to get him back in one piece at some point in the second half.

The fact that he’s currently out with an injury and that he has pitched just 68 frames doesn’t take anything away from the fact that he has put together a very solid case to be considered an All-Star. It’s too bad we won’t see him in Philadelphia. Crow-Armstrong will almost certainly be making that flight alone, but hopefully, he can be the figurehead of a team that keeps scrapping as it vies for a playoff berth in the second half.

View full article