All-Star Game Starters Announced: Judge and Harper Lead the Pack

All-Star Game Starters Announced: Judge and Harper Lead the Pack

In a highly anticipated announcement, Aaron Judge and Bryce Harper have been elected to start in the July 16 All-Star Game at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. Both players commanded the fan voting, reflecting their popularity and stellar performance on the field.

Judge and Harper at the Forefront

Aaron Judge led the major leagues with an astounding 3,425,309 votes in the first round of balloting. This selection marks Judge's sixth American League start in seven All-Star Games—a testament to his consistent excellence and fan appeal. Judge's dominance in the votes is further highlighted by his distinction as the 11th player to lead the majors in votes on multiple occasions since fan balloting resumed in 1970. Judge, who was unable to participate in last year's All-Star Game due to a sprained right big toe, once again led the first phase of fan voting, reaffirming his position as a fan favorite.

Bryce Harper, meanwhile, topped the National League and placed second overall in the big leagues with 3,277,920 votes. This year's selection is Harper's eighth All-Star Game appearance, with seven of those as a starter. Harper's consistent ability to connect with fans and perform at an elite level has cemented his status as one of the game's marquee players.

Voting Mechanics and Trends

Starting spots for the All-Star Game are awarded to the top vote-getter in each league during the first phase of online voting, which began on June 5 and concluded last Thursday. The fan voting process allows individuals to cast their votes once every 24 hours, making it a true reflection of fan engagement and support.

The remaining starters will be announced on June 30, with pitchers and reserves revealed on July 7. The second phase of voting runs from noon EDT on Sunday to noon EDT on June 30. Importantly, votes from the first phase do not carry over to the second phase, ensuring a fresh round of decision-making and excitement for fans.

Teams and Players in the Spotlight

This year's voting saw strong showings from the Baltimore Orioles and the Philadelphia Phillies, each boasting six players advancing to the second phase. Among the notable shifts, 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.

The competition for All-Star positions is fierce, with several big names vying for starting spots. For the American League, the finalists for the catcher position are Salvador Perez and Adley Rutschman. At first base, it's a contest between Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Ryan Mountcastle. The second base position sees Jose Altuve competing with Marcus Semien, while Jose Ramirez and Jordan Westburg battle it out for third base honors.

In the American League shortstop category, fans will decide between Gunnar Henderson and Bobby Witt Jr. The outfield spots are hotly contested with Steven Kwan, Anthony Santander, Juan Soto, and Kyle Tucker all in the running. The designated hitter finalists in the American League are Yordan Alvarez and Ryan O'Hearn.

On the National League side, the catcher position finalists are William Contreras and J.T. Realmuto. At second base, it's Luis Arraez versus Ketel Marte, while Alec Bohm and Manny Machado are the contenders for third base. The shortstop race features Mookie Betts and Trea Turner.

The outfield positions in the National League have a crowded field of finalists, including Nick Castellanos, Teoscar Hernandez, Brandon Marsh, Jurickson Profar, Fernando Tatis Jr., and Christian Yelich. The designated hitter spot sees a thrilling matchup between Shohei Ohtani and Kyle Schwarber.

What to Expect Next

As the second phase of voting gets underway, fans have the opportunity to shape the final All-Star lineups. With the competition heating up, every vote counts in determining who will take the field at Globe Life Field come July 16.

The evolving dynamics of fan voting and the impressive performances of players like Aaron Judge and Bryce Harper underscore the excitement and passion that the All-Star Game brings to baseball. As this year's event approaches, fans eagerly await the final rosters and the showcase of talent that exemplifies the best of Major League Baseball.