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Detroit — The votes are in, and it's not good news for the Tigers.
No Tigers player has advanced to the second phase of fan voting to start for the American League in the All-Star Game at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia on Tuesday, July 14.
Position players who finished in the top two of the first phase of fan voting have advanced to the second phase, and the Tigers' most-deserving players, catcher Dillon Dingler and shortstop Kevin McGonigle, finished just outside of the top two at their respective positions.
Dingler is the biggest upset, as he's been, arguably, the best catcher — overall, offensively and defensively — in baseball this season. He entered play Thursday with a 3.7 WAR according to FanGraphs. That's good for seventh-best in Major League Baseball, regardless of position, and it's easily tops among catchers. The closest catcher is Shea Langeliers of the A's. Langeliers advanced in the top two, with Alejando Kirk of the Blue Jays.
Dingler, 27, was trying to become the first Tigers catcher to start an All-Star game since Alex Avila in 2011. He'll have to settle for being a reserve (and a first-time All-Star, nonetheless). He has 18 home runs and 56 RBIs, and plays elite level defense, coming off his first Gold Glove season in 2025.
McGonigle, 21, finished outside the top two at shortstop, behind Bobby Witt Jr. of the Royals and Andres Gimenez of the Blue Jays (those Blue Jays fans really like to vote). Witt, with a 4.3 WAR according to Baseball-Reference.com, and McGonigle, with a 4.0 WAR, have been by far the best shortstops in the AL.
McGonigle has six homers, 28 RBIs and more walks than strikeouts in his rookie season, as was attempting to become the first Tiger to start at shortstop for the AL since Dick McAullife in 1965 and 1966. And, no, Alan Trammell never started an All-Star Game during his Hall-of-Fame career.
Something to keep an eye on: Witt is nursing an MCL sprain that, so far, hasn't required a trip to the injured list. If that situation worsens, McGonigle could very well get the call to sub as the starter for the AL, assuming that Witt beats out Gimenez in the next phase of fan voting, which starts Monday.
The only other Tigers player who was in contention to move on to the second phase of fan voting was left fielder Riley Greene, but he finished outside the top six that advanced. Greene, 25, is trying to become an All-Star for a third consecutive season.
The Tigers had six All-Stars in 2025, their most since 2013, including starting pitchers Tarik Skubal and Casey Mize. Pitchers aren't part of the fan voting for the All-Star Game.
[email protected]
@tonypaul1984
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Tigers' Dillon Dingler, Kevin McGonigle fall short in All-Star voting
Continue reading...
No Tigers player has advanced to the second phase of fan voting to start for the American League in the All-Star Game at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia on Tuesday, July 14.
Position players who finished in the top two of the first phase of fan voting have advanced to the second phase, and the Tigers' most-deserving players, catcher Dillon Dingler and shortstop Kevin McGonigle, finished just outside of the top two at their respective positions.
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Dingler is the biggest upset, as he's been, arguably, the best catcher — overall, offensively and defensively — in baseball this season. He entered play Thursday with a 3.7 WAR according to FanGraphs. That's good for seventh-best in Major League Baseball, regardless of position, and it's easily tops among catchers. The closest catcher is Shea Langeliers of the A's. Langeliers advanced in the top two, with Alejando Kirk of the Blue Jays.
Dingler, 27, was trying to become the first Tigers catcher to start an All-Star game since Alex Avila in 2011. He'll have to settle for being a reserve (and a first-time All-Star, nonetheless). He has 18 home runs and 56 RBIs, and plays elite level defense, coming off his first Gold Glove season in 2025.
McGonigle, 21, finished outside the top two at shortstop, behind Bobby Witt Jr. of the Royals and Andres Gimenez of the Blue Jays (those Blue Jays fans really like to vote). Witt, with a 4.3 WAR according to Baseball-Reference.com, and McGonigle, with a 4.0 WAR, have been by far the best shortstops in the AL.
You must be registered for see images attach
McGonigle has six homers, 28 RBIs and more walks than strikeouts in his rookie season, as was attempting to become the first Tiger to start at shortstop for the AL since Dick McAullife in 1965 and 1966. And, no, Alan Trammell never started an All-Star Game during his Hall-of-Fame career.
Something to keep an eye on: Witt is nursing an MCL sprain that, so far, hasn't required a trip to the injured list. If that situation worsens, McGonigle could very well get the call to sub as the starter for the AL, assuming that Witt beats out Gimenez in the next phase of fan voting, which starts Monday.
The only other Tigers player who was in contention to move on to the second phase of fan voting was left fielder Riley Greene, but he finished outside the top six that advanced. Greene, 25, is trying to become an All-Star for a third consecutive season.
The Tigers had six All-Stars in 2025, their most since 2013, including starting pitchers Tarik Skubal and Casey Mize. Pitchers aren't part of the fan voting for the All-Star Game.
[email protected]
@tonypaul1984
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Tigers' Dillon Dingler, Kevin McGonigle fall short in All-Star voting
Continue reading...
