As the baseball world gears up for the July 16 All-Star Game at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, the starting rosters for the annual midsummer classic are taking shape. This year, Aaron Judge and Bryce Harper headline the star-studded lineup, earning the highest vote counts in their respective leagues.
Aaron Judge Leads the Way
Aaron Judge, the New York Yankees' powerhouse outfielder, has once again proven his popularity among fans. Judge garnered an impressive 3,425,309 votes in the first round of balloting, leading the major leagues. This marks Judge's sixth start in the American League for the All-Star Game in just seven seasons. His consistent performance and charisma on and off the field have solidified his standing as a fan favorite.
Last year, Judge faced a setback due to a sprained right big toe, which kept him from participating in the All-Star Game. Nonetheless, he led the first phase of fan voting in 2022, demonstrating his enduring appeal. Judge now joins an elite group as the 11th player to lead the majors in votes on multiple occasions since fan balloting resumed in 1970.
Bryce Harper's National League Dominance
Bryce Harper, the Philadelphia Phillies' talisman, continues to shine in the National League, securing the highest vote count in his league and second overall with 3,277,920 votes. Harper's consistent excellence has earned him eight All-Star Game appearances, seven of which as a starter. His deep connection with fans and unwavering dedication to the game are on full display with this latest accolade.
Voting Process and Milestones
The initial phase of online voting commenced on June 5 and concluded last Thursday, allowing fans to vote once every 24 hours. The process to determine the starting spots in each league is straightforward: the top vote-getter from each league during the first phase earns the coveted position. For those who did not make the cut in the first round, there's still a chance in the second phase of voting, which runs from noon EDT on Sunday to noon EDT on June 30. However, it's important to note that the votes from the first phase do not carry over to the second phase.
The remaining starters will be announced on June 30, followed by the revelations of pitchers and reserves on July 7. This year's candidate list is particularly interesting, with the Baltimore Orioles and Philadelphia Phillies each boasting six players advancing to the second phase, reflecting the immense talent within these clubs.
Shifting Dynamics in the Voting
The dynamic nature of the voting process saw some notable shifts. In the National League, Kyle Schwarber managed to overtake Marcell Ozuna for the second spot among designated hitters. Meanwhile, in the American League, Ryan O'Hearn surged ahead of Giancarlo Stanton for second among designated hitters.
There are several intriguing battles for starting positions. In the American League, the catcher position is contested between Salvador Perez and Adley Rutschman. At first base, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Ryan Mountcastle are vying for the top spot. For second base, it's a tight race between Jose Altuve and Marcus Semien, while the third base competition features Jose Ramirez and Jordan Westburg. The shortstop slot is a showdown between Gunnar Henderson and Bobby Witt Jr. The outfield positions have Steven Kwan, Anthony Santander, Juan Soto, and Kyle Tucker in the mix, and for designated hitter, Yordan Alvarez faces Ryan O'Hearn.
On the National League side, the catcher position sees William Contreras up against J.T. Realmuto. For second base, Luis Arraez and Ketel Marte are finalists, and at third base, Alec Bohm competes with Manny Machado. The shortstop position has Mookie Betts and Trea Turner as candidates. Outfield contenders include Nick Castellanos, Teoscar Hernandez, Brandon Marsh, Jurickson Profar, Fernando Tatis Jr., and Christian Yelich. The heavyweight battle for the designated hitter spot features Shohei Ohtani and Kyle Schwarber.
As anticipation builds, fans eagerly await the final selections, which will round out what promises to be another thrilling All-Star lineup. The competitive nature of the voting and the high-caliber talent involved underscore the enduring appeal and excitement of Major League Baseball's All-Star Game.