Judge and Harper Lead All-Star Voting; Positions Await Finalists
In what promises to be a star-studded All-Star Game at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas on July 16, two megastars from their respective leagues have emerged as the top vote-getters. Aaron Judge and Bryce Harper have been elected to start, putting an exclamation mark on what has been a groundbreaking season for both players.
Aaron Judge, the face of the New York Yankees, led Major League Baseball with a staggering 3,425,309 votes in the first round of balloting. Judge's dominance in the voting process is not new—this will be his sixth American League start in seven All-Star Game appearances. However, fans might recall that Judge was unable to participate in last year's All-Star Game due to a sprained right big toe. This setback is now just a footnote in an otherwise illustrious career as Judge retains his place in the annals of baseball history, becoming the 11th player to lead the majors in votes on multiple occasions since fan balloting resumed in 1970.
Bryce Harper, the charismatic and ever-talented right fielder for the Philadelphia Phillies, topped the National League and came in second overall with 3,277,920 votes. For Harper, this marks his eighth All-Star Game appearance, and impressively, seven of those have been as a starter. Harper continues to be a fan favorite, captivating audiences with his consistent excellence and larger-than-life presence on the field.
The All-Star Game selection process began on June 5 with the first phase of online voting, which concluded last Thursday. In this first phase, fans were eligible to cast their votes once every 24 hours. The structure of the game awards starting spots to the top vote-getters in each league during this initial phase, making every vote critical.
With the opening round of voting wrapped up, attention now turns to the second phase, which runs from noon EDT on Sunday to noon EDT on June 30. It's pertinent to note that votes from the first phase do not carry over to this second phase. Fans and players alike are anxiously awaiting June 30, when the remaining starters will be announced. Following that, pitchers and reserves are set to be revealed on July 7, rounding out the rosters for the much-anticipated event.
Other intriguing storylines have developed through the voting process. The Baltimore Orioles and the Philadelphia Phillies each have six players advancing to the second phase, indicating a strong showing from both clubs. Additionally, Kyle Schwarber managed to overtake Marcell Ozuna for the second spot among designated hitters in the National League, while Ryan O'Hearn moved ahead of Giancarlo Stanton for second in the American League's designated hitter category.
The positional battles are heating up as well. In the American League, the finalists for the catcher position are Salvador Perez and Adley Rutschman. At first base, fans will choose between Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Ryan Mountcastle. For second base, Jose Altuve and Marcus Semien are the contenders, and at third base, it’s a showdown between Jose Ramirez and Jordan Westburg. The shortstop position finalists are Gunnar Henderson and Bobby Witt Jr., with the outfield spots being contested by Steven Kwan, Anthony Santander, Juan Soto, and Kyle Tucker. As for the designated hitter role, it's between Yordan Alvarez and Ryan O'Hearn.
Over in the National League, the catcher position will see a contest between William Contreras and J.T. Realmuto. For second base, it’s Luis Arraez versus Ketel Marte. Alec Bohm and Manny Machado are vying for third base, whereas shortstop will be decided between Mookie Betts and Trea Turner. Outfield hopefuls include Nick Castellanos, Teoscar Hernandez, Brandon Marsh, Jurickson Profar, Fernando Tatis Jr., and Christian Yelich. Finally, the designated hitter spot will come down to Shohei Ohtani and Kyle Schwarber.
As the build-up to the All-Star Game continues, the excitement is palpable. The blend of perennial All-Stars and emerging talents promises to make this edition of baseball's midsummer classic a memorable one. Stay tuned as the final rosters take shape, setting the stage for an unforgettable experience at Globe Life Field.