All roads lead to Texas as the top baseball stars of the world gather in Globe Life Field for the MLB All-Star Game 2024.
The second phase of All-Star voting has determined who will join New York Yankees' Aaron Judge and Philadelphia Phillies' Bryce Harper as starters for the American League and National League, respectively.
The pair received an automatic starting spot for the All-Star Game after topping their own leagues in the initial voting.
Judge remains the most popular player in the league, as he earned the top spot in the last three years. Meanwhile, Harper will become a starter for the first time in the first base. He previously started All-Star Games as a designated hitter and an outfielder.
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The second phase of voting ran from June 30 to July 3. In total, only 32 players-20 position players and 12 pitchers - will be selected for the ASG.
Last season's World Series winner and Rangers manager Bruce Bochy will coach the American League roster, and opposite him is finalist Torey Lovullo of the Diamondbacks.
The game will take place on July 16 at Texas Rangers' Globe Life Field. Interestingly, no player from the Rangers was selected for the main event.
Rangers fans had hoped one or more of their players would be able to participate since this will be the first time that they will host the event since 1934.
MLB All-Star starters for each league
This year's crop of the best of the best of the first half of MLB 2024 season comprises perennial All-Stars.
Here are the All-Star starters for each position:
American League - This side of the field will feature a starting X composed of players from five teams. Only the Baltimore Orioles have a single entry.
Catcher: Adley Rutschman, Baltimore Orioles (2nd All-Star selection)
First baseman: Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Toronto Blue Jays
Second baseman: Jose Altuve, Houston Astros
Third baseman: José Ramírez, Cleveland Guardians
Shortstop: Gunnar Henderson, Orioles
Outfielders: Aaron Judge, Yankees, Juan Soto, Yankees, Steven Kwan, Guardians
Designated hitter: Yordan Alvarez, Astros
Henderson and Kwan are both on their first ASG; amazingly, they are both starters. Henderson, 23, won the AL Rookie of the Year award last season, while Kwan took home the Gold Glove Award in the previous two seasons.
National League-This side of the field will feature three players from Philadelphia. Interestingly, the superteam Los Angeles Dodgers only has one starter, but once the reserves are determined, expect them to send at least one more player to Texas.
Catcher: William Contreras, Milwaukee Brewers
First baseman: Bryce Harper, Phillies
Second baseman: Ketel Marte, Arizona Diamondbacks
Third baseman: Alec Bohm, Phillies
Shortstop: Trea Turner, Phillies (3rd)
Outfielders: Christian Yelich, Brewers, Fernando Tatis Jr., San Diego Padres (2nd), Jurickson Profar, Padres
Designated hitter: Shohei Ohtani, Dodgers
Bohm and Profar are both first-time All-Stars.
Ohtani is out for the Home Run Derby
Dodgers' ace Ohtani, who skips being a pitcher for the whole season, confirmed that he will not participate in the Home Run Derby to prioritize his health.
"I'm in the middle of my rehab progression, so it's not going to look like I'll be participating," he said through a translator.
The two-way superstar joined the Dodgers at the start of the season with the full intent of being an exclusive DH.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Ohtani wants to treat fans in the derby, but his goal of making the playoffs and winning the World Series title comes first.
"In any other normal situation where he wasn't rehabbing, I think he would love to participate. I know that it's weighed heavy on him, but I do think the rehab process is something that ultimately makes him feel better about bowing out," Roberts said.
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