In a remarkable show of fan support and athletic prowess, Aaron Judge and Bryce Harper have been elected to start in the upcoming All-Star Game on July 16 at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. Leading the voting charts, both Judge and Harper have solidified their places as fan favorites and standout performers in the league.
Aaron Judge: A Consistent Fan Favorite
Aaron Judge led the major leagues with an impressive tally of 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 popularity and exceptional performance on the field. Despite being unable to participate in last year's All-Star Game due to a sprained right big toe, Judge's dominance in fan voting continued this year. Interestingly, he also led the first phase of fan voting in 2022.
Judge's ability to lead the majors in votes on multiple occasions places him in elite company. He becomes the 11th player to achieve this feat since fan balloting resumed in 1970. Clearly, his influence and appeal extend beyond just his team, resonating deeply with baseball fans nationwide.
Bryce Harper: National League's Top Choice
Over in the National League, Bryce Harper garnered 3,277,920 votes, the highest in his league and second overall in the majors. This will be Harper's eighth All-Star Game appearance, and seven of those have been as a starter. His consistent selection underscores his status as one of the prominent figures in baseball today.
The Voting Process
The competition to secure a starting spot in the All-Star Game is fierce, with spots awarded to the top vote-getter in each league during the first phase of online voting. This phase, which began on June 5, concluded last Thursday, allowing individuals to cast their votes once every 24 hours. The second phase of voting runs from noon EDT on Sunday to noon EDT on June 30, during which the remaining starters will be announced. Notably, votes from the first phase do not carry over to the second phase.
Pitchers and reserves are set to be revealed on July 7, rounding out the much-anticipated event. As always, the All-Star Game serves as a midsummer highlight, showcasing the best talent baseball has to offer.
Team Representations and Voting Shifts
This year's voting has seen substantial representation from the Baltimore Orioles and the Philadelphia Phillies, each advancing six players to the second phase. In the National League, Kyle Schwarber overtook Marcell Ozuna for the second spot among designated hitters, while Ryan O'Hearn moved ahead of Giancarlo Stanton for second among designated hitters in the American League.
Finalists: Who Made the Cut
The competition remains intense as the following players have advanced as finalists by position:
American League:
- Catcher: Salvador Perez and Adley Rutschman
- First Base: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Ryan Mountcastle
- Second Base: Jose Altuve and Marcus Semien
- Third Base: Jose Ramirez and Jordan Westburg
- Shortstop: Gunnar Henderson and Bobby Witt Jr.
- Outfield: Steven Kwan, Anthony Santander, Juan Soto, and Kyle Tucker
- Designated Hitter: Yordan Alvarez and Ryan O'Hearn
National League:
- Catcher: William Contreras and J.T. Realmuto
- Second Base: Luis Arraez and Ketel Marte
- Third Base: Alec Bohm and Manny Machado
- Shortstop: Mookie Betts and Trea Turner
- Outfield: Nick Castellanos, Teoscar Hernandez, Brandon Marsh, Jurickson Profar, Fernando Tatis Jr., and Christian Yelich
- Designated Hitter: Shohei Ohtani and Kyle Schwarber
As the baseball world looks forward to the All-Star Game, fans and players alike know that this event is a celebration of talent and dedication. The results of the second phase of voting will bring more clarity on who will join Judge and Harper on the field, representing their leagues and showcasing their skills on one of baseball's grandest stages.