What happened: The Los Angeles Angels have officially launched a promotional push for shortstop Zach Neto as 2026 MLB All-Star voting enters its second week. Neto, who recently returned from a neck injury sustained in late May, is currently positioned 10th among American League shortstops in the initial ballot tally with over 126,000 votes.
Why it matters: The campaign aims to boost Neto into the top tier of a crowded AL shortstop field led by Bobby Witt Jr. and Andrés Giménez. Despite a recent offensive slump, Neto remains a cornerstone of the Angels' middle infield as the club navigates a challenging first half that sees them sitting at 29-44 through mid-June.
By the numbers: Neto enters Wednesday's finale against Arizona with 13 home runs, 32 RBIs, and 11 stolen bases across 70 games. His .743 OPS ranks in the top half of AL shortstops, though he is hitting just .133 over his last seven contests following a collision at home plate on May 31.
What to watch: Fans can vote for Neto up to five times daily through June 29, when Phase 1 of the All-Star selection process concludes. The Angels finish their road series against the Diamondbacks on Wednesday before returning home to face the Brewers.