All-Star Game Selections: Aaron Judge and Bryce Harper Lead the Way
As the mid-summer classic approaches, Aaron Judge and Bryce Harper have been chosen to start in the All-Star Game, set for July 16 at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. These selections highlight the incredible seasons that both players have enjoyed so far, while also reflecting their sustained popularity among fans.
Leading the voting was Judge, who amassed a staggering 3,425,309 votes in the first round of balloting, the highest in the majors. This marks his sixth start in seven All-Star Games for the American League. Interestingly, Judge was unable to participate in last year's All-Star Game due to a sprained right big toe, yet he still led the first phase of fan voting. In fact, Judge's popularity has been a recurring theme, as he becomes the 11th player to lead the majors in votes on multiple occasions since fan balloting resumed in 1970.
On the National League side, Bryce Harper was the second-highest vote-getter overall, garnering 3,277,920 votes. This marks his eighth All-Star Game appearance, with seven of them as a starter. It's a testament to Harper's continued excellence and charismatic presence on the field that keeps fans rallying behind him.
The All-Star starting spots were determined by the top vote-getters in each league during the first phase of online voting, which began on June 5 and concluded last Thursday. Fans had the opportunity to cast their votes once every 24 hours, showing their dedication and support for their favorite players.
The remaining starters will be announced on June 30, followed by the revelation of pitchers and reserves on July 7. The second phase of voting, which operates from noon EDT on Sunday until noon EDT on June 30, allows for a new round of fan participation. Notably, votes from the first phase do not carry over to the second phase, making each vote in the second phase even more crucial for the contenders.
The Baltimore Orioles and the Philadelphia Phillies have shown strong fan support with six players each advancing to the second phase. In an interesting development, Kyle Schwarber has overtaken Marcell Ozuna for the second spot among designated hitters in the National League, while Ryan O'Hearn moved ahead of Giancarlo Stanton in the American League's designated hitter category.
This year's All-Star selection process has also highlighted some intense positional battles. For the American League, Salvador Perez and Adley Rutschman are the finalists for the catcher position, while Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Ryan Mountcastle compete for the first base spot. At second base, Jose Altuve and Marcus Semien vie for fan favor, and at third base, the competition lies between Jose Ramirez and Jordan Westburg.
The American League's shortstop position sees Gunnar Henderson and Bobby Witt Jr. as the finalists, while the outfield race features Steven Kwan, Anthony Santander, Juan Soto, and Kyle Tucker. The designated hitter finalists in the American League are Yordan Alvarez and Ryan O'Hearn, continuing to keep fans on edge.
For the National League, the finalists for the catcher position are William Contreras and J.T. Realmuto. Luis Arraez and Ketel Marte are in the running at second base, with Alec Bohm and Manny Machado battling it out for third base. The shortstop finalist positions have been clinched by Mookie Betts and Trea Turner.
The National League outfield finalists include strong contenders such as Nick Castellanos, Teoscar Hernandez, Brandon Marsh, Jurickson Profar, Fernando Tatis Jr., and Christian Yelich. Meanwhile, Shohei Ohtani and Kyle Schwarber are the frontrunners for the designated hitter spot, showcasing the level of talent across the league.
With numerous standout players making their cases and fans mobilizing to support their favorites, this year's All-Star Game promises to be an exciting showcase of the best talent in baseball. As we await the final announcements of the remaining starters, pitchers, and reserves, the anticipation builds for what is set to be a memorable event in Arlington.