All-Stars Announced: Judge and Harper Lead the Pack
In a show of fan support, Aaron Judge and Bryce Harper have been elected to start in the highly anticipated All-Star Game, set to take place on July 16 at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. Both superstars headlined a list of favorites, with Judge leading the major leagues with an impressive 3,425,309 votes in the first round of balloting.
For Aaron Judge, this marks his sixth American League start in seven All-Star Games, a testament to his consistent excellence on the field. Although Judge was unable to participate in last year's All-Star Game due to a sprained right big toe, he made sure to lead the first phase of fan voting for the 2022 All-Star Game as well.
He now joins an elite group, becoming the 11th player to lead the majors in votes on multiple occasions since fan balloting resumed in 1970. This accolade underscores Judge's unparalleled appeal among fans and his dominant presence in the league.
Bryce Harper, a formidable force in his own right, topped the National League and came in second overall in the big leagues with 3,277,920 votes. Harper's selection for his eighth All-Star Game—seven of which have been as a starter—further cements his status as a perennial fan favorite and one of the game's top talents.
Fan Voting and Selection Process
Starting spots in the All-Star Game are awarded to the top vote-getters in each league during the first phase of online voting. This initial phase began on June 5 and concluded last Thursday, allowing fans to cast their votes once every 24 hours. The remaining starters will be announced on June 30, while pitchers and reserves are set to be revealed on July 7.
The second phase of voting runs from noon EDT on Sunday to noon EDT on June 30. However, it's important to note that votes from the first phase do not carry over to this second phase, ensuring a fresh start for the finalists.
Among the teams making a strong showing, the Baltimore Orioles and the Philadelphia Phillies each have six players advancing to the second phase. In a notable twist, 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 among designated hitters in the American League.
Position Finalists Revealed
The competition is heating up as the finalists across various positions have been unveiled. For the American League catcher position, it's a showdown between Salvador Perez and Adley Rutschman. At first base, fans will choose between Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Ryan Mountcastle. In the second base category, it's Jose Altuve versus Marcus Semien, while Jose Ramirez and Jordan Westburg vie for the third base slot.
Shortstop sees a battle between Gunnar Henderson and Bobby Witt Jr. Meanwhile, the outfield finalists include Steven Kwan, Anthony Santander, Juan Soto, and Kyle Tucker. Rounding out the American League designated hitters are Yordan Alvarez and Ryan O'Hearn.
For the National League, the catcher position pits William Contreras against J.T. Realmuto. Luis Arraez and Ketel Marte are the contenders for second base, while third base features Alec Bohm and Manny Machado. Mookie Betts faces Trea Turner for shortstop honors.
The NL outfield finalists are a diverse and talented group, comprising Nick Castellanos, Teoscar Hernandez, Brandon Marsh, Jurickson Profar, Fernando Tatis Jr., and Christian Yelich. The designated hitter category sees a fierce contest between Shohei Ohtani and Kyle Schwarber.
Anticipation Builds
As the final phases of voting progress and the All-Star Game draws nearer, anticipation continues to build. Fans eagerly await the reveal of the complete roster, cheering on their favorites and hoping to see the sport's top talent gather for a showcase of skills and sportsmanship. This year's All-Star Game promises to be thrilling, with great players like Judge and Harper leading the charge.