With MLB All-Star Game ballots being released on Wednesday and nine Cardinals being listed at the various positions, standout DH/catcher Iván Herrera feels the Cardinals should be well-represented in the game because of their strong start to the season.
ST. LOUIS – Nine Cardinals players are listed on the MLB All-Star Game ballots that were unveiled by the league on Wednesday, and catcher Iván Herrera – who has long dreamed of becoming an All-Star – feels the Cards should be deserving of having multiple representatives in the Midsummer Classic based off the club’s strong start to the season.
Herrera, a catcher and designated hitter, is officially listed on the MLB All-Star ballot as a DH. He is joined by first baseman Alec Burleson, second baseman JJ Wetherholt, third baseman Nolan Gorman and shortstop Masyn Winn in the infield. Jordan Walker, Victor Scott II and Nathan Church are on the official ballot as outfielders, while catcher Pedro Pages is listed among the catchers.
Walker, who has been one of the best feel-good stories in all of MLB with how he has turned his career around in 2026, likely has the best shot among all Cardinals players to reach the MLB All-Star Game, which will be played July 14 at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia. Walker, 24, came into Wednesday night slashing .283/.348/.534/.882 with 15 home runs, 11 doubles and 44 RBI.
Herrera, who has been among MLB’s leaders in on-base percentage all season, is the only Cardinal to appear in all 59 games this season – a goal of the team’s because of his importance to the lineup. Herrera is slashing .260/.386/.420/.806 with seven home runs and 27 RBI. He thinks the Cardinals are deserving of having strong representation in the MLB All-Star Game after having just one participant (Brendan Donovan) in 2025.
“I feel like we definitely should have a couple of guys who should be in there in that game or at least stay in consideration,” Herrera said. “Walker has been with the leaders in home runs all year, (Riley) O’Brien closing out games for us and JJ (Wetherholt) has been playing really good defense for us all season. The same thing for me – I’m just going to keep my focus on winning the next game and then see what happens.”
Starting pitcher Michael McGreevy a stellar 2.98 ERA over 12 starts, while O’Brien has racked up 14 saves in 18 chances in his first full season as the closer. Wetherholt, arguably the favorite to win the National League’s Rookie of the Year, has played stellar defense at second base while also hitting .249 with nine homers and 25 RBI.
Fans can visit cardinals.com/allstar, the MLB app or the MLB Ballpark app starting today to cast their ballots.
The 2026 MLB All-Star Ballot once again features two phases of fan voting to determine the All-Star starters. During the initial voting period from June 3-25, fans can submit up to five ballots per 24-hour period on MLB platforms. On June 25, the top two vote-getters at each position (and the top six outfielders) in each league will be revealed on MLB Network at 5:00 PM CT, and they will advance to the second phase of voting to determine who makes the All-Star teams and starts for each league.
Phase Two will begin at 11:00 AM CT on June 29, with fans voting among the finalists at each position during a four-day window that concludes at 11:00 AM CT on July 2. During this second phase of voting, fans can vote once per day on MLB platforms.
Herrera hopeful of someday becoming an All-Star
Herrera, who grew up idolizing Yadier Molina, remembers watching the current Cardinals guest instructor representing the Cards in the Midsummer Classic. Herrera said reaching the MLB All-Star Game would satisfy a life-long dream of his.
“I don’t know if I am anywhere close (to being in All-Star consideration) because I’m nowhere close to where I want to be right now,” said Herrera, who is working to lift more balls and lower his ground ball rate after a slow start to the season. “I would definitely love to go to the All-Star Game, and for me that would be a total dream. I had intentions to go last year but (injuries interrupted his chances). This year, I had the same dreams, but things haven’t gone as I expected.
“But baseball is hard and I’m going to keep pushing and keep trying to improve. But I’m always going to wish that I could go (to the MLB All-Star Game) and I’m going to give 100 percent to make a push for that goal.”
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