Aaron Judge and Bryce Harper Lead All-Star Game Voting
Aaron Judge and Bryce Harper have once again proven their star power, securing starting spots in the July 16 All-Star Game at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. The pair led the fan voting in their respective leagues, with Judge topping the major leagues and Harper leading the National League.
Aaron Judge Tops American League Voting
Aaron Judge emerged as the top vote-getter across the major leagues, amassing 3,425,309 votes in the first round of balloting. This marks Judge's sixth start for the American League in seven All-Star Game appearances. His popularity remains undiminished even after he was forced to sit out last year's All-Star Game due to a sprained right big toe. Notably, Judge had also led the first phase of fan voting in 2022.
Judge's consistent popularity places him among an elite group. He is now the 11th player to lead the majors in votes on multiple occasions since fan balloting resumed in 1970. This year’s achievement underscores his immense influence and the respect he commands among fans.
Bryce Harper’s Eighth All-Star Game Appearance
Bryce Harper, a familiar face in the All-Star lineup, topped the National League vote tally with 3,277,920 votes, finishing second overall in the big leagues. Harper's selection marks his eighth appearance in an All-Star Game, with seven of those appearances as a starter. This continued recognition is a testament to his enduring appeal and performance on the field.
Voting Dynamics and Procedures
The starting spots for the All-Star Game are awarded to the top vote-getter in each league during the first phase of online voting, which began on June 5 and concluded last Thursday. Fans were permitted to vote once every 24 hours, and the second phase of voting runs from noon EDT on Sunday to noon EDT on June 30. Importantly, 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 revelation of pitchers and reserves on July 7. This structured approach ensures a broad representation of fan preferences and allows fans multiple opportunities to support their favorite players.
Teams with Strong Representation
Both the Baltimore Orioles and the Philadelphia Phillies have strong representation in the second phase, with six players from each team advancing. Notably, Kyle Schwarber has overtaken Marcell Ozuna for the second spot among designated hitters in the National League, while Ryan O'Hearn has moved ahead of Giancarlo Stanton for second among designated hitters in the American League.
Finalists by Position
The competition remains fierce across various positions. For the American League, the finalists for the catcher position are Salvador Perez and Adley Rutschman. At first base, it’s a contest between Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Ryan Mountcastle. Jose Altuve and Marcus Semien are finalists for second base, while the third base finalists are Jose Ramirez and Jordan Westburg. Gunnar Henderson and Bobby Witt Jr. are vying for the shortstop position, and the outfield finalists are Steven Kwan, Anthony Santander, Juan Soto, and Kyle Tucker. The designated hitter position comes down to Yordan Alvarez and Ryan O'Hearn.
In the National League, William Contreras and J.T. Realmuto are the finalists for catcher, with Luis Arraez and Ketel Marte competing for second base. Alec Bohm and Manny Machado are the third base finalists, whereas Mookie Betts and Trea Turner are in contention for the shortstop position. The outfield finalists feature a strong lineup: Nick Castellanos, Teoscar Hernandez, Brandon Marsh, Jurickson Profar, Fernando Tatis Jr., and Christian Yelich. The designated hitter finalists are Shohei Ohtani and Kyle Schwarber.
As fan involvement continues to play a crucial role in shaping the All-Star Game lineups, the anticipation builds towards unveiling the final rosters. With the blend of established stars like Judge and Harper and emerging talents aspiring for a spot, this year's All-Star Game promises to be a thrilling showcase of the best in baseball.