All-Stars Announced: Judge and Harper Headline 2023 Selections
Top Vote-Getters
Aaron Judge and Bryce Harper have once again solidified their places among the elite in baseball, earning starting spots in the 2023 All-Star Game at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, on July 16. Judge, who led the major leagues with an astounding 3,425,309 votes in the first round of balloting, will be making his sixth American League start in seven All-Star appearances. This year's selection is particularly sweet for Judge after he was unable to participate in last year's game due to a sprained right big toe. Demonstrating his perennial popularity among fans, Judge led the first phase of fan voting in 2022 and has now joined an exclusive group of 11 players who have led the majors in votes on multiple occasions since fan balloting resumed in 1970.
Bryce Harper, a standout in the National League, garnered 3,277,920 votes, placing second overall in the major leagues. Harper's stellar performance and fan appeal have earned him his eighth All-Star Game appearance, with seven of those being as a starter. It's no surprise that both Judge and Harper top the vote-getters list, reflecting their impact on the game and their enormous fanbases.
Voting Dynamics and Process
Starting positions in the All-Star Game are awarded to the top vote-getter in each league during the first phase of online voting, which ran from June 5 to the previous Thursday. Fans are allowed to cast their votes once every 24 hours, with the remaining starters set to be announced on June 30, followed by the revelation of pitchers and reserves on July 7.
The second phase of voting occurs between noon EDT on Sunday and noon EDT on June 30, where votes from the first phase do not carry over. Fans eagerly await this critical phase, as it determines who will join Judge and Harper on the field. Notably, the Baltimore Orioles and the Philadelphia Phillies each have six players advancing to this decisive round.
Shifts and Surprises
The competition for starting positions is fierce. In the National League, Kyle Schwarber overtook Marcell Ozuna for the second spot among designated hitters, demonstrating the highly competitive nature of the selection process. Similarly, in the American League, Ryan O'Hearn moved ahead of Giancarlo Stanton for second among designated hitters, signaling shifts that can occur even in the final phases of voting.
Position Finalists
The finalists in each league reflect the depth of talent present across Major League Baseball. In the American League, the catcher position contestants are Salvador Perez and Adley Rutschman. For first base, the race is between Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Ryan Mountcastle. At second base, fans will choose between Jose Altuve and Marcus Semien. The third base contenders are Jose Ramirez and Jordan Westburg. For shortstop, Gunnar Henderson faces off against Bobby Witt Jr. Outfield contenders include Steven Kwan, Anthony Santander, Juan Soto, and Kyle Tucker. Finally, the designated hitter position will be claimed by either Yordan Alvarez or Ryan O'Hearn.
In the National League, the catcher position is a battle between William Contreras and J.T. Realmuto. For second base, fans must decide between Luis Arraez and Ketel Marte. Alec Bohm and Manny Machado are the finalists for third base, while Mookie Betts and Trea Turner vie for the shortstop position. The outfield is crowded with talent, featuring Nick Castellanos, Teoscar Hernandez, Brandon Marsh, Jurickson Profar, Fernando Tatis Jr., and Christian Yelich. The designated hitter role will be filled by either Shohei Ohtani or Kyle Schwarber.
Looking Forward
As the second phase of voting commences, fans and players alike are eager to see who will secure their spots in the 2023 All-Star Game. The intense competition for votes highlights the passion and dedication of the fans, as well as the remarkable talent pool in Major League Baseball. As the All-Star Game approaches, anticipation builds for a showcase of the sport's best, promising an exciting and memorable event at Globe Life Field.