Judge, Betts lead 1st All-Star voting update
Major League Baseball released its first update for All-Star Game fan voting Tuesday, with New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge and Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Mookie Betts leading their respective leagues.
Judge is the overall leader, receiving 1,512,368 ballots since voting opened in early June. Betts isn't far behind at 1,446,050.
The 30-year-old Judge has been sensational to start the season, ranking first with 25 homers and 55 runs scored while leading the Yankees to an MLB-best 50-17 record.
Betts, a former MVP and five-time All-Star, has also been excellent but is currently on the injured list with a fractured rib.
Judge and Betts are two of six players to eclipse the 1-million vote barrier thus far. Los Angeles Angels superstar Mike Trout (1,295,854) and Toronto Blue Jays catcher Alejandro Kirk (1,057,008) have also passed the threshold in the American League. In the National League, Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. (1,398,563) and Philadelphia Phillies designated hitter Bryce Harper (1,059,433) have surpassed the mark as well.
Kirk is one of four Blue Jays players on pace to start the All-Star Game after the first update - the largest contingent of any team. First baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr., shortstop Bo Bichette, and outfielder George Springer are also currently on track to become All-Star starters.
The Dodgers and Houston Astros would be the only other teams sending multiple starters. Shortstop Trea Turner would join Betts, while the Astros would send second baseman Jose Altuve and designated hitter Yordan Alvarez.
Here's the full update with current runner-up and third-place vote-getters:
AL
| Pos. | Leader | 2nd | 3rd |
|---|---|---|---|
| C | Kirk (TOR) | Jose Trevino (NYY) | Salvador Perez (KC) |
| 1B | Guerrero (TOR) | Ty France (SEA) | Anthony Rizzo (NYY) |
| 2B | Altuve (HOU) | Santiago Espinal (TOR) | Andres Gimenez (CLE) |
| 3B | Rafael Devers (BOS) | Jose Ramirez (CLE) | Matt Chapman (TOR) |
| SS | Bichette (TOR) | Tim Anderson (CWS) | Xander Bogaerts (BOS) |
| OF | Judge (NYY) | Trout (LAA) | Springer (TOR) |
| DH | Alvarez (HOU) | Shohei Ohtani (LAA) | J.D. Martinez (BOS) |
NL
| Pos. | Leader | 2nd | 3rd |
|---|---|---|---|
| C | Willson Contreras (CHC) | Travis d'Arnaud (ATL) | Yadier Molina (STL) |
| 1B | Paul Goldschmidt (STL) | Pete Alonso (NYM) | Freddie Freeman (LAD) |
| 2B | Jazz Chisholm Jr. (MIA) | Ozzie Albies (ATL) | Jeff McNeil (NYM) |
| 3B | Manny Machado (SD) | Nolan Arenado (STL) | Austin Riley (ATL) |
| SS | Turner (LAD) | Dansby Swanson (ATL) | Francisco Lindor (NYM) |
| OF | Betts (LAD) | Acuna (ATL) | Joc Pederson (SF) |
| DH | Harper (PHI) | William Contreras (ATL) | Albert Pujols (STL) |
Phase 1 of fan voting, which closes June 30, will automatically guarantee the top player in each league a starting spot on the All-Star roster. The remainder of the first phase of fan voting will decide two finalists for each position. From there, a second phase will begin to decide the starters for the 2022 All-Star Game at Dodger Stadium on July 19.