Aaron Judge and Bryce Harper are set to headline the July 16 All-Star Game at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, each securing their places through fervent fan support. Judge led the major leagues with an impressive 3,425,309 votes in the first round, underscoring his immense popularity among fans. This marks Judge's sixth start in seven All-Star Game appearances—a testament to his consistent excellence in the American League.
Last year, Judge was forced to miss the All-Star Game due to a sprained right big toe, despite leading the initial fan voting phase. This setback didn't deter his fans, as he once again emerged as the top vote-getter, highlighting his status as a perennial favorite. Notably, Judge is one of only 11 players to lead the majors in votes on multiple occasions since fan balloting resumed in 1970, putting him in an elite class of baseball greats.
Bryce Harper, representing the National League, garnered 3,277,920 votes, the second-highest in the major leagues. This year marks Harper's eighth All-Star Game appearance, with seven of those as a starter. The robust fan support for Harper and Judge underscores their dynamic presence and influence in the sport.
Voting Process and Phase Details
The first phase of online voting, which ran from June 5 through last Thursday, allowed individuals to cast their vote once every 24 hours. Fans eagerly participated, setting the stage for a thrilling All-Star roster announcement. The remaining starters will be unveiled on June 30, with pitchers and reserves to follow on July 7.
As the second phase of voting commenced, running from noon EDT on Sunday to noon EDT on June 30, a clean slate was presented to fans, as votes from the first phase do not carry over. This ensures a fresh and competitive voting environment, keeping fans engaged and involved in the selection process.
The Baltimore Orioles and the Philadelphia Phillies stand out as they each advanced six players to the second phase, showcasing the depth of talent on these rosters. In a notable shift among designated hitters in the National League, Kyle Schwarber surpassed Marcell Ozuna for the second spot, while in the American League, Ryan O'Hearn edged out Giancarlo Stanton for second place among designated hitters.
Key Matchups and Players to Watch
The final phase of voting determined several intriguing matchups for starting positions. For the American League catcher, fans will choose between Salvador Perez and Adley Rutschman. At first base, it's a showdown between Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Ryan Mountcastle. Second base sees a competition between Jose Altuve and Marcus Semien, while third base features Jose Ramirez squaring off against Jordan Westburg. The shortstop position pits Gunnar Henderson against Bobby Witt Jr., and the outfield candidates include Steven Kwan, Anthony Santander, Juan Soto, and Kyle Tucker. For the designated hitter spot in the American League, Yordan Alvarez and Ryan O'Hearn are the finalists.
In the National League, the catcher position has William Contreras facing J.T. Realmuto. The second base finalists are Luis Arraez and Ketel Marte, while third base features Alec Bohm versus Manny Machado. The shortstop battle comes down to Mookie Betts and Trea Turner. The outfield candidates include Nick Castellanos, Teoscar Hernandez, Brandon Marsh, Jurickson Profar, Fernando Tatis Jr., and Christian Yelich. The designated hitter spot will be contested between Shohei Ohtani and Kyle Schwarber.
These prospective lineups promise an exciting and competitive All-Star Game, as baseball's brightest stars vie for fan favor and the honor of starting in this prestigious event. Fans are once again demonstrating their passion and enthusiasm, ensuring that the All-Star Game will feature the most deserving and popular players in the league.