MLB
The first 2024 All-Stars to make the cut
The Yankees and the Phillies will be represented by their star players at next month’s Midsummer Classic in Arlington.
In little over a fortnight to go before the MLB celebrates this year’s All-Star Game. The 2024 event, the 94th edition of the contest between the best players from the American League (AL) and National League (NL), will take place at Globe Life Field, in Arlington, Texas. Two players have already guaranteed their presence after phase 1 of voting ended on Thursday.
Bryce Harper and Aaron Judge top All-Star ballot voting
The most voted player in the American League was Aaron Judge who is guaranteed him a starting position among the outfielders. The New York Yankees player received 3,425,309 votes.
In the National League, the most voted by fans was Bryce Harper, of the Philadelphia Phillies, who took first base with 3,277,920 votes. Harper, who is hitting .305/.402/.585 with a .987 OPS, 20 home runs and 57 RBIs, faces a scan on his left hamstring after limping out of the Phillies’ 7-4 loss to the Marlins on Thursday. It is hoped the injury won’t be serious enough to impede him from taking part in the All-Star game.
The first phase of the 2024 MLB All-Star Ballot began at 12:00 p.m. EDT on 5 June and ended at 12:00 p.m. EDT on 27 June. The second phase begins at 12:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday 30 June and end at 12:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday 3 July.
The American League All-Star finalists
The first base will be protected by either Ryan Mountcastle, of the Baltimore Orioles, or Vladimir Guerrero Jr., of the Toronto Blue Jays. The finalists to take over second base are José Altuve, of the Houston Astros, and Marcus Semien, of the Texas Rangers.
Shortstop options for the AL are Gunnar Henderson of the Baltimore Orioles and Bobby Witt Jr. of the Kansas City Royals. The picture will be completed at the hot corner by José Ramírez, of the Cleveland Guardians, or Jordan Westburg, of the Baltimore Orioles.
The AL catcher will be defined between Adley Rutschman, of the Baltimore Orioles, and Salvador Pérez, of the Kansas City Royals. The most powerful bats in the AL are Yordan Álvarez, of the Houston Astros, and Ryan O'Hearn, of the Baltimore Orioles.
The outfielders have four options: Juan Soto, of the New York Yankees; Steven Kwan, of the Cleveland Guardians; Anthony Santander, of the Baltimore Orioles; and Kyle Tucker, of the Houston Astros.
The National League All-Star Finalists
Bryce Harper may be accompanied in the infield by his teammates Alec Bohm at third base and Trea Turner at SS. However, they will have to compete against Manny Machado, of the San Diego Padres, and Mookie Betts of the Los Angeles Dodgers, respectively. The infield will be completed by either Ketel Marte, of the Arizona Diamondbacks, or Luis Arráez, of the San Diego Padres.
Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers is an almost sure bet to win the designated hitter job, but Kyle Schwarber of the Philadelphia Phillies will compete. The catcher will be occupied by William Contreras, of the Milwaukee Brewers, or by J.T. Realmutoof the Philadelphia Phillies.
Three patrolmen will be chosen from the following options: Jurickson Profar and Fernando Tatis Jr., of the San Diego Padres, Brandon Marsh and Nick Castellanos of the Philadelphia Phillies, Teoscar Hernández of the Los Angeles Dodgers; and Christian Yelich, of the Milwaukee Brewers.