Aaron Judge and Bryce Harper Lead Votes for All-Star Game in Arlington
The baseball world has cast its ballots, and the results are in: Aaron Judge and Bryce Harper will headline the starting lineups in the upcoming All-Star Game on July 16 at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. The electrifying duo garnered the most votes in their respective leagues, captivating fans with their exceptional performances this season.
Aaron Judge, the towering Yankees outfielder, has firmly established himself as a perennial fan favorite. Leading the major leagues with an impressive 3,425,309 votes in the first round of balloting, Judge clinched his sixth American League start in seven All-Star Games. His popularity remains undiminished despite not participating in last year's event due to a sprained right big toe. In both 2022 and this year, Judge captured the top fan votes, making him the 11th player to lead the majors in votes on multiple occasions since fan balloting resumed in 1970.
On the other side of the ballot, Bryce Harper of the Philadelphia Phillies claimed the top spot in the National League, earning his eighth All-Star Game appearance with a commendable 3,277,920 votes. This marks the seventh time Harper will start in the Midsummer Classic, underscoring his standing as one of the National League's elite performers.
The competition for starting spots relies heavily on the fan voting process, which began on June 5 and concluded last Thursday. Fans could vote once every 24 hours, eagerly supporting their favorite players. Unsurprisingly, the first phase saw heavyweights like Judge and Harper emerge at the top, a testament to their widespread appeal and talent.
Many other stars have also advanced to the second phase of online voting, which runs from noon EDT on Sunday to noon EDT on June 30. The Orioles and the Phillies each have six players progressing to this critical phase, featuring intense competition for the remaining starting positions. Notably, Kyle Schwarber has overtaken Marcell Ozuna for the second spot among designated hitters in the National League, while Ryan O'Hearn moved ahead of Giancarlo Stanton among designated hitters in the American League.
The finalists for each league reflect both emerging talents and seasoned veterans. In the American League, fans will choose between Salvador Perez and Adley Rutschman for the catcher position, and between Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Ryan Mountcastle for first base. At second base, it's a battle between Jose Altuve and Marcus Semien, while third base finalists are Jose Ramirez and Jordan Westburg. Shortstop contenders include Gunnar Henderson and Bobby Witt Jr. Meanwhile, Steven Kwan, Anthony Santander, Juan Soto, and Kyle Tucker compete for outfield spots, with Yordan Alvarez and Ryan O'Hearn vying for the designated hitter position.
In the National League, catching duties could fall to either William Contreras or J.T. Realmuto. The second base slot sees Luis Arraez against Ketel Marte, while third base finalists are Alec Bohm and Manny Machado. The shortstop position comes down to Mookie Betts and Trea Turner, with Nick Castellanos, Teoscar Hernandez, Brandon Marsh, Jurickson Profar, Fernando Tatis Jr., and Christian Yelich as the outfield finalists. For designated hitter, fans will decide between Shohei Ohtani and Kyle Schwarber.
As anticipation builds, fans eagerly await the announcement of the remaining starters on June 30, followed by the pitchers and reserves, which will be revealed on July 7. The second phase of voting, without carrying over any votes from the first phase, promises to deliver exciting head-to-head matchups across both leagues.
With a mix of seasoned stars and exciting new talents, this year's All-Star Game is shaping up to be a celebration of baseball's brightest. Whether they are seasoned veterans like Judge and Harper or rising stars like Rutschman and Henderson, the players fortunate enough to earn starting spots will undoubtedly put on a show worthy of the game's greatest stage.