The Cleveland Guardians are, despite their inconsistency and their recent stretch of mediocre play, one of the best teams in the American League. Perhaps the most appropriate way to put it is that there aren’t many squads in the junior circuit better than theirs.
This means that Cleveland has some star-level talent that could very well be elected for the Midsummer Classic. The All-Star Game is not that far away, and several members of the Guardians have a chance to play in it.
According to analyst Gabrielle Goudy, two names are locks to play among the best of the best on July 14 in Philadelphia’s Citizens Bank Park.
“Jose’s gonna make it just from name recognition alone. Jose’s gonna get there. I think it will be Cade Smith as well,” Goudy said.
Which Guardians will make the ASG? #GuardsBall@gabbgoudy sees Jose Ramirez and Cade Smith as the Guards with the best chances.
Watch Gabb every week on Daily Guards at https://t.co/34XkEAfYyW! pic.twitter.com/GP5ziL9orl
— The Daily Guards (@DailyGuards) June 10, 2026
Yes, Ramirez is a near-lock to play his eighth All-Star Game in about a month, and yes, name recognition will get him there. Fans finally see him as one of the best players in the league at his position, but he also deserves to be an All-Star because of his performance.
He leads the American League in stolen bases with 24, tied with Bobby Witt Jr., and also has 10 home runs and an 113 wRC+ while playing excellent defense. His 2.4 fWAR is 11th in the junior circuit.
Smith is also fully deserving of the nod if he gets it, and it would be his first Midsummer Classic. He has overcome a mediocre start to post a 2.67 ERA at the moment, with a much better 0.99 Fielding Independent Pitching (FIP) in 30.1 innings this year.
Smith leads the majors in saves with 21, and it’s hard to leave the saves leader out of the All-Star Game. He has struck out 38.3 percent of the hitters he has faced, and walked just 4.2 percent.
Other Guardians with at least an outside chance to make the roster if they can take it up a notch in the following month are shortstop Brayan Rocchio and starting pitchers Parker Messick, who has faded a bit after an incredible start but remains a perfectly solid hurler, and Gavin Williams.
NEXT: Guardians Reliever Thriving After Unexpected Bullpen Role Change
