As the Major League Baseball season progresses toward its mid-summer classic, excitement builds for the July 16 All-Star Game at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. Among the highlights are the selections of Aaron Judge and Bryce Harper, who have been elected to start in this year's showcase event.
Judge, the New York Yankees' powerhouse outfielder, led the major leagues with an impressive 3,425,309 votes in the first round of balloting. This marks his sixth American League start in seven All-Star Games. Notably, Judge missed last year's game due to a sprained right big toe, but that did not deter fans from demonstrating their unwavering support once again. In fact, Judge led the initial phase of fan voting in 2022 as well, making him the 11th player to lead the majors in votes on multiple occasions since fan balloting resumed in 1970.
Bryce Harper, meanwhile, garnered 3,277,920 votes to top the National League and finish second overall. The Philadelphia Phillies' star will make his eighth All-Star Game appearance, with seven of those as a starter. The two fan favorites have cemented their places as icons of the game, consistently drawing fan admiration and votes in large numbers.
The All-Star starters are determined through a meticulous online voting process, with the top vote-getter in each league earning an automatic spot in the lineup. This year's voting opened on June 5 and concluded last Thursday, allowing individuals to cast their votes once every 24 hours. The remaining starters will be announced on June 30, with pitchers and reserves set to be revealed on July 7. However, it is important to note that votes from the first phase do not carry over to the second phase, adding an element of excitement and competitiveness.
Players Advancing to the Second Phase
The first phase of voting has set the stage for intense competition, with several players advancing to the next round. The Baltimore Orioles and the Philadelphia Phillies each have six players moving forward, intensifying the battle for final roster spots. Among the notable advancements, Kyle Schwarber overtook Marcell Ozuna for the second spot among designated hitters in the National League, while Ryan O'Hearn moved ahead of Giancarlo Stanton for second place among designated hitters in the American League.
Position Finalists
The American League catcher finalists are Salvador Perez and Adley Rutschman, setting up a showdown between the experienced Perez and the promising Rutschman. At first base, it's a contest between Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Ryan Mountcastle, while the second base battle features Jose Altuve and Marcus Semien.
Jose Ramirez and Jordan Westburg vie for the third base slot, and Gunnar Henderson and Bobby Witt Jr. are the shortstop finalists. The outfield finalists for the American League are Steven Kwan, Anthony Santander, Juan Soto, and Kyle Tucker, showcasing a blend of young talent and established stars. Lastly, the designated hitter position will see Yordan Alvarez competing against Ryan O'Hearn.
In the National League, the catcher finalists are William Contreras and J.T. Realmuto. The second base finalists are Luis Arraez and Ketel Marte, while Alec Bohm and Manny Machado compete for the third base position. The shortstop finalists are Mookie Betts and Trea Turner, two of the league's most dynamic players. The outfield competition is especially fierce with Nick Castellanos, Teoscar Hernandez, Brandon Marsh, Jurickson Profar, Fernando Tatis Jr., and Christian Yelich all vying for spots. Finally, the designated hitter position will see Shohei Ohtani compete against Kyle Schwarber, promising a thrilling second phase of voting.
As we anticipate the final announcements of the starters and reserves, fans can be assured that this year's All-Star Game will feature a remarkable array of talent, reflecting the best that both leagues have to offer. With such a deep pool of players, the 2023 All-Star Game in Arlington promises to be an unforgettable event, showcasing the skills and star power that make baseball America's pastime.