Jose Altuve, Marcus Semien vie for AL All-Star nod at second

Quite fittingly, perhaps, there’s a Lone Star Series twist in the balloting for the Midsummer Classic that will be held at the home of the Texas Rangers. The Astros’ Jose Altuve and the Rangers’ Marcus Semien are the finalists for the American League All-Star spot at second base.

All-Star voting is heating up like the temperature in the Lone Star State.  Aaron Judge led the AL with 3,425,309 votes, and Bryce Harper led the NL with 3,277,920 votes to win the starting spot at their respective positions.

The rest of the starters will be determined in Phase 2 of All-Star balloting. The top two vote-getters at each position have moved on to Phase 2, which begins Sunday at 12:00 p.m. EST. All fans will have the opportunity to vote among each finalist until July 3 at 12:00 p.m. (ET).

We’ll break down each candidate at their positions and the league they’ll be representing.

After making his first All-Star appearance in Seattle, Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman is seeking his first start. The Royals’ Salvador Perez is eyeing his ninth career appearance. Perez looks to join Hall of Fame catchers Ivan Rodriguez (12) and Carlton Fisk (7) with at least five fan-elected starts as a catcher.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. seeks fourth All-Star berth

The Orioles’ Ryan Mountcastle seeks his first appearance in his five-year career. Vladimir Guerrero Jr., the 2021 Ted Williams All-Star Game Most Valuable Player, is searching for his fourth start.

Jose Altuve has already surpassed Craig Biggio for the most All-Star berths in franchise history with eight. Altuve could join Hall of Famers Roberto Alomar (9) and Rod Carew (6) with six fan selections. Marcus Semien hopes to become the only Ranger to start the All-Star Game at home.

Jose Ramirez of the Guardians is seeking his sixth appearance and his third fan selection. Jordan Westburg of the Orioles is searching for his first career appearance. He could become the first Oriole to start at third base since Manny Machado did it in 2016.

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Gunnar Henderson is eyeing his first Midsummer Classic in his three-year career. Henderson could become the third-youngest AL shortstop to win a fan election. Only Alex Rodriguez (21) in 1997, and Carlos Correa (22) in 2017 were younger. Bobby Witt Jr. of the Royals also seeks his first career appearance at the Midsummer Classic.

Yordan Alvarez, a two-time All-Star, looks to become the first Astro to be selected as the designated hitter. Ryan O’Hearn of the Orioles wants his first All-Star selection. He hopes to join Nelson Cruz (2014) as the second Oriole designated hitter to start in the Midsummer Classic.

Juan Soto in line for AL

Juan Soto, a three-time All-Star in the NL, is up for his first start for the AL. The Guardians’ Steven Kwan is bidding for his first career appearance. Kwan can become the first Guardians outfielder to win the fan election since Juan Gonzalez in 2001.

Anthony Santander of the Orioles is seeking his first selection. He’s up against the Astros’ Kyle Tucker, a two-time All-Star eyeing his first career start in the Midsummer Classic. The last Astros outfielder to start were Michael Brantley and George Springer in 2019 in Cleveland.

William Contreras of the Brewers is looking for his second appearance. He could be the first Brewers catcher to earn a start behind the plate. The Phillies’ J.T. Realmuto is also seeking his first start.

Ketel Marte seeks to become the second D-back to win multiple fan elections, joining Paul Goldschmidt. Luis Arraez, a two-time All-Star, could become the first Padre to start at second in the Midsummer Classic.

Alec Bohm had the second most votes in the NL behind Bryce Harper. Bohm seeks his first selection in his five-year career. Padres star Manny Machado is eyeing his seventh selection and second start over three years at the hot corner.

Mookie Betts, a seven-time All-Star, is seeking his first start at short in the Midsummer Classic. Trea Turner looks to become the first Phillies shortstop to win a fan election since Jimmy Rollins in 2002.

Shohei Ohtani a hit in NL too

Shohei Ohtani of the Dodgers and Kyle Schwarber of the Phillies vie for the NL DH spot. Ohtani owned the DH spot in the AL when he played with the Angels. Schwarber is searching for his first Midsummer Classic nod.

Jurickson Profar of the Padres is seeking his first Midsummer Classic selection in his 11-year-career. Christian Yelich, a two-time All-Star, looks to join Ryan Braun (4) and Prince Fielder (3) as the third Brewers player with multiple fan elections. The Dodgers’ Teoscar Hernandez is seeking his second appearance in the Midsummer Classic.

Fernando Tatis Jr. will look to join Profar as the first Padres outfielder to be elected by fans since Hall of Famer Tony Gwynn in 1999. Brandon Marsh is searching for his first-career All-Star selection. He and Nick Castellanos hope to become the first Phillies outfielders to win a fan election since Raul Ibañez in 2009. Castellanos is seeking his third bid in his 12-year-career.