All-Star Selections: Judge and Harper Lead the Pack
As the midsummer classic approaches, Aaron Judge and Bryce Harper have once again etched their names into All-Star Game history. With the July 16 showdown set to take place at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, both stars have been elected to start, solidifying their positions as icons of the sport.
Judge, a towering presence in the American League, led the major leagues with an impressive 3,425,309 votes in the first round of balloting. This marks yet another milestone for the New York Yankees' powerhouse, as it's his sixth American League start in just seven All-Star Game appearances. Notably, Judge missed last year's game due to a sprained right big toe, making this return even more significant for fans and the player alike.
In the National League, Bryce Harper isn't far behind. Garnering 3,277,920 votes, the Philadelphia Phillies' slugger led the National League vote and placed second overall in the majors. This eighth All-Star selection for Harper, with seven as a starter, underscores his continued dominance on the field.
Since fan balloting resumed in 1970, Judge has distinguished himself as one of only 11 players to lead the majors in votes on multiple occasions, a testament to his widespread popularity and exceptional performance. Meanwhile, the All-Star selection process remains a democratic endeavor, with starting spots awarded to the top vote-getters in each league during the first phase of online voting.
This year's voting began on June 5 and concluded last Thursday, allowing fans to participate once every 24 hours. As anticipation builds, the remaining starters will be announced on June 30, followed by the pitchers and reserves on July 7.
In a surprising twist, the second phase of voting, which runs from noon EDT on Sunday to noon EDT on June 30, does not carry over the votes from the first phase. This reset ensures that every vote counts anew, keeping the competition fierce and engaging for fans. Teams like the Baltimore Orioles and the Philadelphia Phillies have shown strong performances, each advancing six players to the second phase.
The race for designated hitter spots has been particularly intense. Kyle Schwarber of the Phillies 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 in the American League.
The finalists for various positions offer a glimpse into the talent pool that will be showcased. In the American League, the catcher position finalists are Salvador Perez and Adley Rutschman, while Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Ryan Mountcastle vie for first base honors. Jose Altuve and Marcus Semien are in contention for second base, and the battle for third base is between Jose Ramirez and Jordan Westburg. Shortstop finalists Gunnar Henderson and Bobby Witt Jr. aim to impress, and the outfield has its own fierce competition among Steven Kwan, Anthony Santander, Juan Soto, and Kyle Tucker. In a closely watched race, Yordan Alvarez and Ryan O'Hearn are finalists for the designated hitter position.
Similarly, the National League finalists highlight some of the game's brightest stars. William Contreras and J.T. Realmuto face off for the catcher position, while second base finalists Luis Arraez and Ketel Marte look to make their mark. At third base, Alec Bohm and Manny Machado are poised for a showdown, and the shortstop battle features seasoned veterans Mookie Betts and Trea Turner. The outfield finalists include a diverse group of players: Nick Castellanos, Teoscar Hernandez, Brandon Marsh, Jurickson Profar, Fernando Tatis Jr., and Christian Yelich. Of particular note is the designated hitter competition, featuring none other than Shohei Ohtani and Kyle Schwarber.
As the second phase of voting progresses, fans eagerly await the announcement of the final roster, adding another layer of drama to this year’s All-Star Game. Globe Life Field will undoubtedly be the stage for a spectacular show, filled with fan-favorite players and unforgettable moments.