The 2023 All-Star Game, scheduled for July 16 at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, promises to be a memorable event, especially with marquee names like Aaron Judge and Bryce Harper headlining the starting lineup.
Aaron Judge, a formidable figure in Major League Baseball (MLB), led the major leagues with an astounding 3,425,309 votes in the first round of balloting. This remarkable feat marks his sixth American League start in seven All-Star Games. His consistent performance and popularity with the fans underscore his status as one of the game's elite players. Last year, Judge was unable to participate due to a sprained right big toe after leading the first phase of fan voting in 2022. Nonetheless, his return this year reaffirms his dominance as the league's premier vote-getter. Judge’s achievement of leading the majors in votes on multiple occasions places him among the eleven elite players since fan balloting resumed in 1970.
Bryce Harper also made a significant impact, leading the National League and securing the second overall spot with 3,277,920 votes. This year will mark his eighth All-Star Game appearance, with seven of those as a starter. Harper's consistent performance and fan base have made him a staple in the All-Star lineup.
Voting Process and Phases
The journey to becoming an All-Star starter is no small feat. Starting spots are awarded to the top vote-getter in each league during the first phase of online voting, which started on June 5 and concluded last Thursday. Fans could cast their votes once every 24 hours, ensuring their favorite players had ample support. The intense competition is highlighted by the fact that votes from the first phase do not carry over to the second phase, making every vote crucial in securing a player's position.
The second phase of voting begins at noon EDT on Sunday and runs until noon EDT on June 30. During this period, fans have another chance to support their favorites. This phase will determine the remaining starters, announced on June 30, with pitchers and reserves revealed on July 7.
Contenders and Surprises
Notably, the Baltimore Orioles and the Philadelphia Phillies each have six players advancing to the second phase. Among the American League designated hitters, Ryan O'Hearn has notably outpaced Giancarlo Stanton for the second spot, while Kyle Schwarber overtook Marcell Ozuna for the second spot among designated hitters in the National League.
In other positions, fierce competition remains. For catchers in the American League, the contest is between Salvador Perez and Adley Rutschman. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Ryan Mountcastle vie for the first base position, while Jose Altuve and Marcus Semien contend for second base.
American League Contenders
In the third base category, Jose Ramirez faces off against Jordan Westburg. Gunnar Henderson and Bobby Witt Jr. are the finalists for the shortstop position, rounding out the list of the infield battles. Outfield positions see fierce competition among Steven Kwan, Anthony Santander, Juan Soto, and Kyle Tucker. Lastly, the designated hitter position is narrowed down to Yordan Alvarez and Ryan O'Hearn.
National League Contenders
Over in the National League, the catcher position will be decided between William Contreras and J.T. Realmuto. Second base sees a tight race between Luis Arraez and Ketel Marte, while Alec Bohm and Manny Machado are the top candidates for third base. The shortstop position will be a showdown between Mookie Betts and Trea Turner. The outfield extends to an extensive list of talented players, including Nick Castellanos, Teoscar Hernandez, Brandon Marsh, Jurickson Profar, Fernando Tatis Jr., and Christian Yelich. Finally, Shohei Ohtani and Kyle Schwarber round out the competition for the designated hitter spot.
With such an array of talent and the unrelenting enthusiasm of fans, the 2023 All-Star Game is poised to showcase some of the best talents in baseball. The voting process, already brimming with excitement and surprises, continues to engage fans worldwide, making them an integral part of these thrilling selections.