All-Star Game Starters Announced: Judge and Harper Lead the Charge
The highly anticipated roster for the July 16 All-Star Game at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, has been revealed, with Aaron Judge and Bryce Harper at the forefront of fan voting.
Aaron Judge's Impressive Return
Aaron Judge, who led the major leagues with an astounding 3,425,309 votes in the first round of balloting, is back with a vengeance. After being sidelined in last year's All-Star Game due to a sprained right big toe, Judge will make his sixth American League start in seven All-Star appearances. This marks a significant comeback for the Yankees star, who also led the first phase of fan voting in 2022.
Judge's popularity among fans is evident as he becomes the 11th player to lead the majors in votes on multiple occasions since fan balloting resumed in 1970. His return to the All-Star Game is highly anticipated, affirming his status as one of the league's most electrifying players.
Bryce Harper Continues to Shine
Bryce Harper, the dynamic outfielder for the Phillies, garnered 3,277,920 votes, securing his spot as the National League's top vote-getter and placing second overall in the big leagues. Harper's eighth All-Star Game appearance, with seven starts, reinforces his consistent excellence and popularity among fans.
New Voting Process
This year's selection process highlighted the power of fan engagement, with the first phase of online voting commencing on June 5 and wrapping up last Thursday. Fans could vote once every 24 hours, ensuring that the players with the most passionate followings received recognition.
The second phase of voting, which began at noon EDT on Sunday and concludes at noon EDT on June 30, introduces a fresh slate, as votes from the first phase do not carry over. This phase will determine the remaining starters, announced on June 30. Pitchers and reserves will be revealed on July 7.
Teams with High Representation
The Baltimore Orioles and the Philadelphia Phillies led the pack with six players each advancing to the second phase of voting. These teams' strong representation highlights their standout performances this season and the loyalty of their fan bases.
Kyle Schwarber made a notable leap, overtaking Marcell Ozuna for the second spot among National League designated hitters, while Ryan O'Hearn moved past Giancarlo Stanton for second in the American League designated hitter category.
Position Finalists
The battle for starter positions is fierce, with standout names across both leagues contending for fan votes. In the American League, Salvador Perez and Adley Rutschman vie for the catcher position, while Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Ryan Mountcastle compete for first base. The second base position sees a contest between Jose Altuve and Marcus Semien, and for third base, it's Jose Ramirez against Jordan Westburg.
At shortstop, Gunnar Henderson and Bobby Witt Jr. are the finalists, while the outfield spots are being contested by Steven Kwan, Anthony Santander, Juan Soto, and Kyle Tucker. The designated hitter role could go to either Yordan Alvarez or Ryan O'Hearn.
In the National League, William Contreras and J.T. Realmuto are the top contenders for the catcher position. Luis Arraez and Ketel Marte are battling for second base, while Alec Bohm and Manny Machado compete for third base. The shortstop finalists are Mookie Betts and Trea Turner.
The competition in the outfield is particularly intense, with Nick Castellanos, Teoscar Hernandez, Brandon Marsh, Jurickson Profar, Fernando Tatis Jr., and Christian Yelich all in the running. The designated hitter position is a showdown between Shohei Ohtani and Kyle Schwarber.
The enthusiasm surrounding the All-Star Game selections underscores the excitement and passion of baseball fans. As we await the final announcements, the anticipation for a thrilling showcase of talent in Arlington continues to build.