The Houston Astros lead all teams with three starters for this year’s All-Star Game, after all the votes were tallied Thursday in Major League Baseball’s new “Starters Election.”
Houston’s Alex Bregman, the runaway winner at third base for the American League, will be joined in the starting lineup by Astros teammates George Springer and Michael Brantley, the latter of whom edged the New York Yankees’ Aaron Judge by less than 1 percentage point for the final AL outfield spot.
Springer and Brantley will share the outfield with Angels star Mike Trout, who led all candidates with 993,857 votes in the final stage, for the game at Cleveland’s Progressive Field on July 9.
ASG starters – American League
| C: Gary Sanchez | Yankees |
| 1B: Carlos Santana | Indians |
| 2B: DJ LeMahieu | Yankees |
| SS: Jorge Polanco | Twins |
| 3B: Alex Bregman | Astros |
| OF: Mike Trout | Angels |
| OF: George Springer | Astros |
| OF: Michael Brantley | Astros |
| DH: Hunter Pence | Rangers |
Under MLB’s new system, fans voted for players up until last Friday, and the top three finalists at each position for both leagues moved on to a runoff election — after all votes were reset to zero — conducted Wednesday and Thursday.
The Braves’ Freddie Freeman won the tightest race in the National League, edging the Pirates’ Josh Bell by 1.1% of the vote at first base. He’ll be joined by Ronald Acuna Jr., who overcame a challenge from Colorado’s Charlie Blackmon for the final NL outfield spot.
Cubs catcher Willson Contreras and shortstop Javier Baez — who won at second base last year — both cruised to starting spots, while Yankees catcher Gary Sanchez and second baseman DJ LeMahieu will start for the AL.
With 51.9% of the final vote, Rockies first baseman Nolan Arenado was the only player to win more than half the votes at his position. However, in raw votes he still finished behind Brewers outfielder Christian Yelich, who led the NL with 930,577.
Los Angeles Dodgers slugger Cody Bellinger, an early MVP candidate, won the other NL outfield spot, while Ketel Marte will be the first Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman to start an All-Star Game since Jay Bell in 1999.
The crowd in Cleveland will be able to cheer on hometown favorite Carlos Santana, who will start at first base for the AL after winning 49.2% of the final vote at his position.
Also starting for the American League will be Jorge Polanco — who will be the first Twins shortstop to start an All-Star Game in 40 years — and Texas Rangers designated hitter Hunter Pence.
Those players who didn’t win the vote will have to wait until Sunday afternoon to learn if they are among the reserves, chosen by a combination of the players’ ballot and the commissioner’s office. The pitchers also will be revealed during the announcement on ESPN.
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