Aaron Judge and Bryce Harper Top MLB All-Star Voting
As the excitement builds for the July 16 All-Star Game at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, the fan voting results have highlighted two standout players: Aaron Judge and Bryce Harper. Both stars have been selected to start, continuing to solidify their reputations as elite athletes in Major League Baseball.
In the first round of balloting, Aaron Judge led the major leagues with an impressive 3,425,309 votes. This achievement marks his sixth American League start in seven All-Star Games. Judge's return to the starting lineup comes after he was unable to participate in last year's All-Star Game due to a sprained right big toe. Despite the setback in 2022, he led the first phase of fan voting, showcasing the unwavering support from his fans. Remarkably, Judge becomes the 11th player to lead the majors in votes on multiple occasions since fan balloting resumed in 1970.
Bryce Harper, a household name in the National League, secured the top spot in his league and placed second overall in the big leagues with 3,277,920 votes. Harper's selection for the All-Star Game is his eighth appearance, with seven of those as a starter, further cementing his legacy as one of the premier outfielders in the sport today.
The selection process for the All-Star starters is a testament to the fans' engagement and passion. Starting spots are awarded to the top vote-getter in each league during the first phase of online voting, which began on June 5 and concluded last Thursday. Fans were allowed to vote once every 24 hours, adding an interactive element to the sport that fuels debates and discussions among the baseball community.
The anticipation continues as the remaining starters will be announced on June 30, followed by the reveal of pitchers and reserves on July 7. The second phase of voting, which runs from noon EDT on Sunday to noon EDT on June 30, presents another opportunity for fans to make their voices heard. It’s crucial to note that votes from the first phase do not carry over to the second phase, ensuring a fresh and dynamic round of voting.
Several teams are well-represented in the second phase. Both the Baltimore Orioles and the Philadelphia Phillies have six players advancing, showcasing their talent and the strong support from their fanbases. Among notable advancements, Kyle Schwarber overtook Marcell Ozuna for the second spot among designated hitters in the National League, while Ryan O'Hearn moved ahead of Giancarlo Stanton for second among designated hitters in the American League.
The battle for the starting catcher position in the American League is between Salvador Perez and Adley Rutschman. At first base, fans are choosing between Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Ryan Mountcastle, while Jose Altuve and Marcus Semien are the finalists for second base. Third base will see a showdown between Jose Ramirez and Jordan Westburg, and the shortstop position is being contested by Gunnar Henderson and Bobby Witt Jr. The outfield finalists include Steven Kwan, Anthony Santander, Juan Soto, and Kyle Tucker, while the designated hitter slot is down to Yordan Alvarez and Ryan O'Hearn.
In the National League, the competition is equally fierce. William Contreras and J.T. Realmuto are vying for the catcher position. The finalists for second base are Luis Arraez and Ketel Marte, while Alec Bohm and Manny Machado are the leading contenders for third base. The shortstop position includes Mookie Betts and Trea Turner, and the outfield spots are being fiercely contested by Nick Castellanos, Teoscar Hernandez, Brandon Marsh, Jurickson Profar, Fernando Tatis Jr., and Christian Yelich. The designated hitter position will be decided between Shohei Ohtani and Kyle Schwarber.
As the MLB All-Star Game approaches, the level of competition and the enthusiasm of the fans ensure that it will be a spectacular event. With top players like Aaron Judge and Bryce Harper leading the way, the stage is set for a memorable showcase of talent and passion in Arlington, Texas.