All-Star Roster Impact and Fantasy Moves

The 2026 MLB All‑Star rosters were revealed on July 4, setting the stage for next week’s festivities in Philadelphia. With many of the league’s top performers now headed to the City of Brotherly Love, fantasy managers are already weighing how the upcoming games will reshape their second‑half rosters.

Buy Low

Mike Trout (OF, Angels) hopes to rejoin the active list this week after a hamstring strain. The veteran slugger sees a clear incentive to return quickly, as the All‑Star Game will be held just minutes from his New Jersey hometown of Vineland. Before his injury, Trout posted a 20.9% barrel rate, a .260 xBA and a .562 xSLG, and he showed a resurgence in walk control with a 19.7% walk rate—his best since 2018.

Paul Skenes (SP, Pirates) has suffered three rough starts this month, compiling a 7.80 ERA and a 1.67 WHIP while his velocity appears to have dipped. Despite the recent decline, his strikeout and walk rates remain in line with the numbers that fueled his debut season, and his 65.8% strand rate is the primary culprit for the inflated ERA. Long‑term projections suggest he could settle into a 2.76 xERA, making him an attractive undervalued arm.

Michael Harris II (OF, Braves) endured a quiet June, hitting .257 with just one home run and seven RBI. Even so, his underlying metrics remain elite, ranking fourth in baseball with a .305 xBA and 15th in xSLG at .723. A rejuvenated Braves lineup—including the returning Drake Baldwin and the soon‑to-return Ronald Acuña Jr. after the All‑Star break—should lift Harris off his current slump.

Buy High

Dillon Dingler (C, Tigers) has emerged as a top‑four catcher in 2026, leading his position in expected stats such as a .291 xBA and a .531 xSLG. The 27‑year‑old’s elite performance underscores how scarce quality arms behind the plate have become, a reality echoed by other standout backstops like Ben Rice, Shea Langeliers, Hunter Goodman and William Contreras. Fantasy owners who have been stuck with mid‑level options such as Gabriel Moreno or Samuel Basallo should look to upgrade before the stretch run.

Even the most competitive leagues can end up with three or four teams lacking a premier catcher, creating a massive talent gap in head‑to‑head formats. For managers who rely on elite defensive and offensive production from the position, securing a player like Dingler or one of the other listed catchers may be the difference between a championship and a missing piece.

Sell High

CJ Abrams (SS, Nationals) sits eighth in the latest Yahoo Player Rater, but his numbers lack sustainable power backing. Despite a 35‑home‑run pace, his average exit velocity and barrel rate have not improved, and his expected stats lag behind his actual totals. While the season may continue to favor him, acquiring a proven top‑20 talent in a trade could yield far greater value down the stretch.

Brandon Marsh (OF, Phillies) is hitting .305 and on track to set career highs in home runs, runs and RBI by the end of July. Yet his average exit velocity sits at 89.7 mph—second‑worst in his six‑year career—and his projected stats trail his current line, suggesting the surge may not be durable. With the All‑Star Game set for his hometown, savvy fantasy managers should consider moving him while his value remains elevated.

Aroldis Chapman (RP, Red Sox) provides a 23.6% chance for Boston to reach the postseason, making him a useful asset for low‑stakes matchups. The 38‑year‑old’s contract includes an opt‑out, and he could be more valuable as a trade chip to bolster a contender’s bullpen than as a roster filler. Holding Chapman beyond July carries risk, as a move could turn him into a setup pitcher on a team with an entrenched closer, sharply reducing his fantasy appeal.

As the All‑Star break looms, these roster moves and player trajectories will shape the rest of the season. Whether you’re trying to shore up a weak spot or looking to lock in elite performance, the July decisions will echo through September’s playoff picture.