NEW YORK — Voting for the All-Star Game on July 15 at Truist Park in Atlanta began at noon Wednesday.
Among the Guardians’ position players on the ballot for the AL All-Star team are first baseman Carlos Santana, second baseman Daniel Schneemann, third baseman Jose Ramirez, shortstop Gabriel Arias, catcher Bo Naylor, DH Kyle Manzardo and outfielders Steven Kwan, Angel Martinez and Lane Thomas.
Due to the versatility of the Guardians’ lineup, some of the choices were surprising. Arias, for instance, opened the season as the starting second baseman, but moved to shortstop when starter Brayan Rocchio was optioned to Triple-A Columbus. Thomas, of course, has spent most the first 60 games of the season on the injured list.
Martinez has started 36 games in center field, but has also made eight starts at second base and three in right field.
Last year the Guardians sent five players to the All-Star Game including Ramirez, Kwan, Emmanuel Clase, David Fry and Josh Naylor.
Fan voting will determine the All-Star starters in each league. A player vote and the commissioner’s office will determine pitching staffs and reserves.
The voting, as it was last year, is divided into two phases. Phase 1, which began today, runs through 12:00 p.m. on June 26th. Fans can vote as many as five times a day.
They must vote exclusively online and via mobile devices at MLB.com/vote, all 30 Club web sites, the MLB App and the MLB Ballpark App.
On June 26, the top two vote getters at each position (and the top six outfielders) in each league will be announced at 6 p.m. on MLB Network.
The top vote getter in each league from the first phase will earn an automatic starting spot in the All-Star Game.
Phase 2 of the voting begins at 12 p.m. on June 30. Voting ends at 12 p.m. on July 2. Fans can vote once a day for the finalists at each position.
The votes from the first phase do not count for the second phase.
The winners of the voting, representing the starting lineups in each league, will be announced at 7 p.m. on July 2 on ESPN.