Phase 2 of the 2023 MLB All-Star Game fan voting has concluded, meaning we know the American League and National League starters for the upcoming Midsummer Classic.
Stage 1 of the voting left us with two finalists in each position and also awarded guaranteed seats to the leading vote-getter in each league: the Angels’ DH Shohei Ohtani in the AL and outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. in NL. After Stage 1, the slates were wiped clean and fans chose between those two finalists in each remaining position (in the outfield, three starters were chosen from six finalists). Here are the results, as announced by MLB on Thursday (with career selection for each player in parentheses:
|
Position |
American League starter |
National League starter |
|
Catcher |
Jonah Heim, Rangers (1st) |
Sean Murphy, Braves (1st) |
|
First base |
Yandy Diaz, Rays (1st) |
Freddie Freeman, Dodgers (7th) |
|
Second base |
Marcus Semien, Rangers (2nd) |
Luis Arraez, Marlins (2nd) |
|
Third base |
Josh Jung, Rangers (1st) |
Nolan Arenado, Cardinals (8th) |
|
Short stop |
Corey Seager, Rangers (4th) |
Orlando Arcia, Braves (1st) |
|
Outfield |
Aaron Judge, Yankees (5th) |
Ronald Coinage Jr., Braves (4th) |
|
Outfield |
Mike Forel, Angels (11th) |
Mookie Betts, Dodgers (7th) |
|
Outfield |
Randy Arozarena, Rays (1st) |
Corbin Carroll, Diamondbacks (1st) |
|
Designated batter |
Shohei Ohtani, Angels (3rd) |
JD Martinez, Dodgers (6th) |
The Texas Rangers top with four All-Star starters, and in the NL, the Atlanta Braves and Los Angeles Dodgers each have three fan-vote selections. Speaking of the Rangers, they are only the third AL team to name three infielders to the starting lineup since fan balloting was reinstated in 1970. The 2004 and 2011 Yankees also did well. Now some additional comments:
- Betts said his participation in the Home Run Derby depended on him being an All-Star. Now that he is, he’s confirmed that he will be part of the Derby field this year.
- Trout now becomes the 14th player in MLB history to be selected 10 or more times by the fans. The only other American Leaguers to achieve this feat are all Hall of Famers: Cal Ripken Jr., George Brett, and Ken Griffey Jr.
- Judge is now just the fourth player in Yankees history to win at least five fan awards. The others are Derek Jeter (9), Dave Winfield (7) and Alex Rodriguez (8). Unfortunately, Judge remains injured and unable to play.
- Arenado is now tied with David Wright for second most fan polls by a NL third baseman. Only Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt has more with nine.
- As Sarah Langs points out, Jung becomes only the second rookie third baseman to start the All-Star Game. The first was Eddie Kazak in 1949.
As a reminder, fans do not vote for the starting pitchers of the All-Star Game. They are selected by the two managers, Dusty Baker (Astros) and Rob Thomson (Phillies). The All-Star Game rosters are chosen through fan and player voting, with the Commissioner’s office filling in the gaps as needed. Managers no longer select All-Star players.
The 2023 All-Star Game will be played at T-Mobile Park in Seattle on Tuesday, July 11. The full schedules will be announced on Sunday 2 July.