All-Star Selections: Aaron Judge and Bryce Harper Elected as Starters
The excitement for this year's MLB All-Star Game has reached a fever pitch as Aaron Judge and Bryce Harper have been elected to start in the July 16 showcase at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. Both players commanded overwhelming support from fans, solidifying their status as two of the league’s brightest stars.
Aaron Judge led the major leagues with a staggering 3,425,309 votes in the first round of balloting, showcasing his immense popularity. This marks Judge’s sixth American League start in seven All-Star Games, a testament to his consistent performance and fan appeal. Notably, Judge missed last year's All-Star Game due to a sprain on his right big toe but has bounced back to reclaim his position as a fan favorite. His history of strong performances is evident, as he also led the first phase of fan voting in 2022. Significantly, Judge is now the 11th player to lead the majors in votes on multiple occasions since fan balloting resumed in 1970.
Bryce Harper wasn’t far behind, topping the National League with 3,277,920 votes, placing him second overall in the big leagues. This will be Harper's eighth All-Star Game appearance, with seven starts under his belt, further underscoring his enduring presence in the league.
The selection process grants starting spots to the top vote-getter in each league during the first phase of online voting. This phase began on June 5 and concluded last Thursday, allowing fans to cast their votes once every 24 hours. With the first phase completed, anticipation is high for the announcement of remaining starters on June 30, followed by the reveal of pitchers and reserves on July 7. The second phase of voting commences from noon EDT on Sunday and will run until noon EDT on June 30. It is crucial to note that votes from the first phase do not carry over to the second phase.
Among the teams with strong showings, the Baltimore Orioles and the Philadelphia Phillies each have six players advancing to the second phase. The competition has been intense, with 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 the second spot among designated hitters in the American League.
The finalists for various positions feature a mix of seasoned veterans and emerging talents:
American League Finalists:
- Catcher: Salvador Perez, Adley Rutschman
- First Base: Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Ryan Mountcastle
- Second Base: Jose Altuve, Marcus Semien
- Third Base: Jose Ramirez, Jordan Westburg
- Shortstop: Gunnar Henderson, Bobby Witt Jr.
- Outfield: Steven Kwan, Anthony Santander, Juan Soto, Kyle Tucker
- Designated Hitter: Yordan Alvarez, Ryan O'Hearn
National League Finalists:
- Catcher: William Contreras, J.T. Realmuto
- Second Base: Luis Arraez, Ketel Marte
- Third Base: Alec Bohm, Manny Machado
- Shortstop: Mookie Betts, Trea Turner
- Outfield: Nick Castellanos, Teoscar Hernandez, Brandon Marsh, Jurickson Profar, Fernando Tatis Jr., Christian Yelich
- Designated Hitter: Shohei Ohtani, Kyle Schwarber
As the second phase of voting gets underway, fans eagerly await the final lineups, knowing that every vote contributes to the composition of the teams. With seasoned players like Judge and Harper leading the way, this year’s All-Star Game promises to be a riveting contest showcasing the best talents the league has to offer.