As the excitement for the July 16 All-Star Game at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, builds up, two familiar names are again front and center in the fan vote tally: Aaron Judge and Bryce Harper. With their impressive performances and undeniable star power, both players have secured their spots as starters for their respective leagues.
Aaron Judge Dominates Fan Voting
Aaron Judge has continued to capture the hearts of baseball fans nationwide, leading the major leagues with an astounding 3,425,309 votes in the first round of balloting. This marks Judge’s sixth American League start in seven All-Star Games, a testament to his consistent excellence and popularity. Despite missing last year's All-Star Game due to a sprained right big toe, Judge's influence and impact remain undiminished, having also led the first phase of fan voting in 2022.
Judge's achievement of leading the majors in votes on multiple occasions places him in elite company. He becomes the 11th player to have this honor since fan balloting resumed in 1970, underscoring his widespread appeal and remarkable talent.
Bryce Harper: A National League Favorite
In the National League, Bryce Harper also garnered substantial fan support, topping the league with 3,277,920 votes and finishing second overall in the majors. Harper is no stranger to the All-Star Game, with this being his eighth appearance and seventh as a starter. His continued selection reflects his robust performance and enduring popularity among the fans.
Voting and Selection Process
The All-Star Game starters are determined through a rigorous two-phase online voting process. The first phase of voting began on June 5 and concluded last Thursday, allowing fans to cast their votes once every 24 hours. Starting spots are awarded to the top vote-getter in each league from this initial round of voting.
The transition to the second phase commenced at noon EDT on Sunday and will continue until noon EDT on June 30. It’s crucial to note that votes from the first phase do not carry over, ensuring a fresh start for all players in the final stretch of voting. The remaining starters will be announced on June 30, followed by the announcement of pitchers and reserves on July 7.
Among the teams, the Baltimore Orioles and Philadelphia Phillies have showcased significant depth, each advancing six players to the second phase. 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 among designated hitters in the American League.
Positions and Finalists
The competition is intense across various positions. For the American League catcher, the finalists are Salvador Perez and Adley Rutschman. At first base, fans will choose between Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Ryan Mountcastle. Jose Altuve and Marcus Semien are the options for second base, while Jose Ramirez and Jordan Westburg vie for the third base position. At shortstop, Gunnar Henderson and Bobby Witt Jr. are the finalists. The outfield positions feature Steven Kwan, Anthony Santander, Juan Soto, and Kyle Tucker. Lastly, for the designated hitter, voters will decide between Yordan Alvarez and Ryan O’Hearn.
Similarly, the National League boasts competitive matchups. For the catcher position, William Contreras and J.T. Realmuto are the finalists. At second base, Luis Arraez and Ketel Marte are in contention. Alec Bohm and Manny Machado are the third base finalists, while Mookie Betts and Trea Turner compete for the shortstop spot. Outfield finalists include Nick Castellanos, Teoscar Hernandez, Brandon Marsh, Jurickson Profar, Fernando Tatis Jr., and Christian Yelich. For the designated hitter role, Shohei Ohtani and Kyle Schwarber are the top choices.
As the All-Star Game approaches, fans eagerly await the final roster announcements. With such a diverse array of talent and thrilling player matchups, this year's All-Star Game promises to be a spectacular display of baseball at its finest.