Aaron Judge and Bryce Harper Headline the 2023 All-Star Game Starters
In what promises to be a thrilling showcase of baseball talent, Aaron Judge and Bryce Harper have been named starters for the July 16 All-Star Game at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. Judge, a powerhouse outfielder for the New York Yankees, led the major leagues with an impressive 3,425,309 votes in the first round of balloting.
This selection marks Judge's sixth start for the American League in seven All-Star appearances, an impressive feat demonstrating his consistent performance and popularity among fans. Despite being sidelined by a sprained right big toe that kept him out of last year's All-Star Game, Judge came back strong, once again claiming the lead in fan voting. He becomes the 11th player to command the major leagues in votes on multiple occasions since fan balloting resumed in 1970.
On the National League side, Bryce Harper of the Philadelphia Phillies garnered 3,277,920 votes, the highest in his league and second overall. This will be Harper's eighth All-Star Game appearance and his seventh as a starter, affirming his status as one of the game's elite players.
Fan Engagement in Voting
The selection process for the All-Star Game is a testament to fan engagement and the love for the sport. Starting spots are awarded to the top vote-getter in each league during the first phase of online voting, which ran from June 5 until last Thursday. During this phase, fans could vote once every 24 hours, diligently casting their votes for their favorite players.
The second phase of voting, which spanned from noon EDT on Sunday to noon EDT on June 30, saw intense competition as fans voted to determine the remaining starters. Importantly, votes from the first phase did not carry over, giving every player a fresh start in the second phase.
The Baltimore Orioles and the Philadelphia Phillies emerged as powerhouses, with each team having six players advancing to the second phase. Notable shifts in the leaderboard included Kyle Schwarber overtaking Marcell Ozuna for the second spot among designated hitters in the National League, and Ryan O'Hearn moving ahead of Giancarlo Stanton for second among designated hitters in the American League.
Finalists by Position
The finalists for the American League catcher position are Salvador Perez and Adley Rutschman, while at first base, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Ryan Mountcastle are in contention. For second base, fans will decide between Jose Altuve and Marcus Semien. The third base finalists are Jose Ramirez and Jordan Westburg, and at shortstop, the battle is between Gunnar Henderson and Bobby Witt Jr.
In the outfield, fans will choose from Steven Kwan, Anthony Santander, Juan Soto, and Kyle Tucker. The designated hitter position has narrowed down to Yordan Alvarez and Ryan O'Hearn.
In the National League, William Contreras and J.T. Realmuto are the finalists for the catcher position, and for second base, it's Luis Arraez against Ketel Marte. The third base showdown is between Alec Bohm and Manny Machado. Shortstop voters will decide between Mookie Betts and Trea Turner.
The outfield position is particularly competitive with six finalists: Nick Castellanos, Teoscar Hernandez, Brandon Marsh, Jurickson Profar, Fernando Tatis Jr., and Christian Yelich. Finally, the designated hitter contest features Shohei Ohtani and Kyle Schwarber.
Upcoming Announcements
With fan votes already shaping much of the All-Star lineup, the excitement continues as the remaining starters are set to be announced on June 30, followed by pitchers and reserves revelations on July 7. This annual celebration not only highlights individual talents but also showcases the collective enthusiasm of baseball fans across the globe.
As anticipation builds for the July 16 showdown in Arlington, fans and players alike are reminded of the enduring appeal of baseball and the unique opportunity the All-Star Game provides to witness the sport's greatest talents on one field.