NEW YORK (AP) – Washington Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper and New York Yankees rookie outfielder Aaron Judge are the top vote-getters in their respective leagues for the upcoming Major League All-Star game in Miami.
Harper led all players with over 4.6 million votes and is joined in the National League starting outfield by Colorado’s Charlie Blackmon and Marcell Ozuna of the Marlins.
The NL starting infield has first baseman Ryan Zimmerman and second baseman Daniel Murphy, both of the Nationals. Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado and Reds shortstop Zack Cozart fill out the infield, with Giants catcher Buster Posey behind the plate.
In addition to the three Nats players starting the game, two Washington pitchers were selected. Max Scherzer, whose seven inning, 12 strikeout performance Sunday night against the Cardinals lowered his major league leading ERA to 1.94, and Stephen Strasburg, who is enjoying a 9 – 2 record with a 3.51 ERA this season.
Judge was the AL’s top vote-getter and will be part of a starting outfield that includes Houston’s George Springer and Mike Trout of the Angels. Trout is currently injured and plans to begin a rehab assignment this week.
A pair of Astros are part of the AL’s starting infield after shortstop Carlos Correa and second baseman Jose Altuve (al-TOO’-vay) were chosen in the balloting, along with Indians third baseman Jose Ramirez and Toronto first baseman Justin Smoak. Kansas City’s Salvador Perez will be the starting catcher for the Junior Circuit, and Tampa Bay’s Corey Dickerson will serve as the designated hitter.
The 12 first-time starters are the most since voting was returned to fans in 1970.
Reliever Wade Davis was the only player chosen from the defending World Series-champion Cubs, and he wasn’t with the team last season. The Cubs had seven All-Stars in 2016.
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