The excitement leading up to the July 16 All-Star Game at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, is palpable as the starting lineups begin to take shape. Renowned stars Aaron Judge and Bryce Harper have both earned starting spots, with Judge topping the major leagues in the first round of balloting, gathering an impressive 3,425,309 votes. Judge's consistent performance has seen him secure his sixth American League start in seven All-Star Games, despite an unfortunate setback that kept him out of last year's game due to a sprained right big toe.
This remarkable voting turnout is not new for Judge. He has led the first phase of fan voting previously and stands as one of the few players to lead the majors in votes on multiple occasions since fan balloting resumed in 1970. His continual dominance on the ballot highlights not only his exceptional skills on the field but also his profound popularity among fans.
On the National League side, Bryce Harper secured the top spot with 3,277,920 votes, ranking second overall in the big leagues. Harper, a veteran of the All-Star stage, is marking his eighth appearance, with seven of those being as a starter. His consistent presence in the All-Star lineup underscores his significant impact and enduring appeal in the league.
Fans eagerly await this star-studded game, having participated actively in the first phase of online voting, which commenced on June 5 and wrapped up last Thursday. Fans were allowed to cast their votes once every 24 hours, ensuring their favorite players had the best chance of making the cut. This engaging voting process is set to continue with the second phase, running from noon EDT on Sunday to noon EDT on June 30. Notably, votes from the first phase do not carry over to the second phase, adding an extra layer of excitement and fresh opportunities for the contenders.
The Baltimore Orioles and the Philadelphia Phillies each boast six players advancing to the second phase, underlining their strong performances this season. Notable positional battles include Kyle Schwarber overtaking Marcell Ozuna for the second spot among designated hitters in the National League and Ryan O'Hearn moving ahead of Giancarlo Stanton for second among designated hitters in the American League.
American League Contenders
The American League finalists for key positions include seasoned and emerging talents. For the catcher position, Salvador Perez and Adley Rutschman are the frontrunners. At first base, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Ryan Mountcastle vie for the starting role. The second base finalist, Jose Altuve, will challenge Marcus Semien, while the third base sees a competition between Jose Ramirez and Jordan Westburg. At shortstop, Gunnar Henderson contends with Bobby Witt Jr. The outfield finalists are Steven Kwan, Anthony Santander, Juan Soto, and Kyle Tucker. For the designated hitter, the leading contenders are Yordan Alvarez and Ryan O'Hearn.
National League Contenders
The National League features equally thrilling matchups. For the catcher position, William Contreras and J.T. Realmuto are the leading candidates. The second base contest pits Luis Arraez against Ketel Marte, while the third base sees Alec Bohm face off with Manny Machado. The shortstop finalists include celebrated players Mookie Betts and Trea Turner. The outfield boasts a diverse group of finalists: Nick Castellanos, Teoscar Hernandez, Brandon Marsh, Jurickson Profar, Fernando Tatis Jr., and Christian Yelich. Finally, for the designated hitter position, fan favorites Shohei Ohtani and Kyle Schwarber are set for a tight race.
Upcoming Dates and Excitement
The frenzy culminates as the remaining starters will be announced on June 30, followed by the revelation of pitchers and reserves on July 7. As the All-Star Game approaches, fans, players, and analysts alike are speculating on which athletes will ultimately secure their places on this prestigious stage. The second phase of voting promises to be just as dynamic, offering another chance for fans to champion their favorite players and solidify their spots among baseball's elite.