Ben Rice has outpaced even his teammate Aaron Judge in OPS this season, and now the Yankees first baseman finds himself in a legitimate race to start the 2026 MLB All-Star Game at Citizens Bank Park.
The 26-year-old is making noise in Phase 1 of the All-Star voting, which closes at noon ET on Thursday, June 25. Rice’s performance has positioned him as one of the top challengers to dethrone reigning starter Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who’s hunting his third consecutive starting nod but has struggled with just three homers through May 17.
The Numbers That Demand Attention
Rice isn’t just good—he’s been elite. His OPS number surpasses Judge’s, which should make every Yankees fan do a double-take. When you’re outhitting the face of the franchise in any meaningful category, you’ve earned the conversation.
The Bronx Bombers have two legitimate All-Star candidates at different positions, but Rice’s dominance at first base puts him in rarified air. His ability to get on base and drive in runs has been exactly what the organization needed from the position.
The AL First Base Battle
Rice faces stiff competition beyond Vladdy. Munetaka Murakami of the White Sox became just the third player in franchise history to blast 20 homers in his team’s first 55 games—an absurd pace that had him in the driver’s seat before a right hamstring strain landed him on the injured list.
Nick Kurtz of the Athletics tied Mark McGwire for the longest single-season on-base streak in A’s history while following up his 2025 AL Rookie of the Year Award. That’s the level of performance Rice is matching and exceeding.
But here’s the thing—Rice plays in pinstripes. He plays at the Stadium. The Yankee faithful show up when it matters, and All-Star voting is where the fanbase flexes its muscle.
What This Means for the Yankees
Rice earning his first All-Star selection would validate the organization’s faith in him as an everyday player. It would also signal to the league that the Yankees have found another cornerstone piece alongside Judge.
The Yankees Ben Rice All-Star campaign isn’t just about individual recognition—it’s about proving the Bronx Bombers remain the standard. When your first baseman outperforms your MVP in OPS, you’ve got depth that terrifies opposing pitchers.
If Rice keeps crushing at this pace, he won’t just make the All-Star team—he’ll start it. That would put two Yankees in starting spots if Judge reclaims his form, giving New York the kind of presence at the Midsummer Classic that championship organizations demand.
The Judge Comparison Everyone’s Talking About
Let’s address the elephant in the room. Rice outpacing Judge in OPS doesn’t diminish what Judge means to this franchise. But it does expose how special Rice’s season has been and how the entire lineup is contributing.
The Yankees Ben Rice All-Star buzz centers on his individual excellence, not Judge’s struggles. This isn’t either-or—it’s both-and. The Yankees need Judge to be Judge, but Rice proving he belongs in that conversation only strengthens the lineup from top to bottom.
Rice has earned every accolade coming his way through consistent, elite production. The stats back it up. The wins back it up. Now the Yankee faithful need to back it up at the ballot box.
Yankees Ben Rice All-Star voting ends June 25 at noon ET. Get on MLB.com, cast your votes, and make sure the best first baseman in the American League gets his due. Rice has silenced the doubters with his bat—now let’s make sure he starts in Philadelphia.
