Major League Baseball has completed the first voting phase for the 2023 All-Star Game.
After the first round, Los Angeles Angels pitcher/designated hitter Shohei Ohtani and Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. were the leading vote-getters in their respective leagues, earning automatic selections as starters in the game.
As for everyone else, the top two infielders (based on votes) at each position and the top six outfielders (five in the National League because Acuña is already in the game) move on to phase two, and five Texas Rangers’ position players are still in the running.
Jonah Heim has moved on as a finalist for the catcher position. Heim has gone from an unheralded prospect to a significant contributor in the middle of the Rangers’ order, hitting .276 with 10 home runs and 54 RBIs. He also leads the team’s everyday infielders in fielding percentage. He faces former first-overall draft pick and Baltimore Orioles second-year Adley Rutschman. Whoever wins will be making his first All-Star appearance.
Marcus Semien’s return to form has him in the running for the starting second base spot in the American League. After struggling for most of his first season in Texas, Semien has rebounded to a .271 batting average with 10 home runs and 54 RBIs and even had a 25-game hitting streak, as previously reported by The Dallas Express. He is up against Toronto Blue Jays second baseman Whit Merrifield, who is hoping to appear in his third All-Star Game.
Shortstop Corey Seager is also in the mix. Seager has been on a tear since returning from the injured list last month, hitting .356 with 10 home runs and 45 RBIs. He is trying to reach his fourth All-Star Game and faces Toronto’s Bo Bichette.
Rookie Josh Jung faces Toronto’s Matt Chapman for the nod at third base. Jung leads all rookies in nearly every hitting category this season and has more home runs and RBIs than Chapman this season with a similar batting average. Jung is also on pace to reach similar numbers as Chapman had in his only All-Star season in 2019.
Adolis García, who won Friday’s game in New York with a two-run home run in the top of the 10th, is a finalist in the outfield for the American League. García is tied for the AL lead with 60 RBIs and leads the Rangers with 17 home runs through 75 games. However, he faces an uphill battle against some of the most popular players in baseball, like Mike Trout, Aaron Judge, and Yordan Álvarez.
Either Toronto’s Vladimir Guerrero Jr. or Tampa Bay’s Yandy Díaz will be the first baseman, and the rest of the roster will be determined later.
Notable finalists in the National League included Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman, Braves first baseman Matt Olson, Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado, Mets shortstop Franciso Lindor, Phillies designated hitter Bryce Harper, Dodgers designated hitter JD Martinez, Diamondbacks rookie outfielder Corbin Carroll, and Marlins second baseman Luis Arráez — who is hitting .401 this season.
Fans can vote once per day until Thursday, June 29. Votes can be submitted on MLB.com, the MLB’s mobile app, or in person at any of the 30 MLB stadiums.
The 2023 All-Star Game will be played on July 11 at T-Mobile Park in Seattle.