Major League Baseball announced its starters for the 2023 All-Star Game after the final leg of fan voting closed Thursday.
Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. and Los Angeles Angels two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani were already guaranteed spots after they led their respective leagues in voting for the first round of fan balloting.
Fan voting only decides the starters for hitting positions. All-Star pitchers and reserve position players for both leagues will be announced Sunday at 5:30 p.m. ET.
The Midsummer Classic is scheduled for July 11 at T-Mobile Park in Seattle.
American League
Catcher
PLAYER
TEAM
Jonah Heim
Rangers
Heim’s breakout season in Texas was rewarded with his first-ever All-Star nod, narrowly beating out Adley Rutschman in the final phase of voting. The Buffalo native owns a .800 OPS with 11 homers.
First base
PLAYER
TEAM
Yandy Diaz
Rays
Diaz becomes a first-time All-Star at age 31, besting AL East rival Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in voting. He leads the AL with a .407 on-base percentage and owns a career-best .928 OPS.
Second base
PLAYER
TEAM
Marcus Semien
Rangers
For the second time in three years, Semien will be the AL’s starter at second base. The 32-year-old has appeared in all 80 games for the first-place Rangers and leads the AL in plate appearances, at-bats, and runs scored.
Third base
PLAYER
TEAM
Josh Jung
Rangers
One of the front-runners for AL Rookie of the Year is now an All-Star. Jung is just the second rookie third baseman to be voted in as a starter, and the first since the Cardinals’ Eddie Kazak in 1949.
Shortstop
PLAYER
TEAM
Corey Seager
Rangers
Despite missing a large chunk of the season due to injury, Seager bested Bo Bichette in voting to earn his first All-Star starting nod and fourth career All-Star berth. The 29-year-old owns a 1.020 OPS in 49 games with the Rangers.
Outfield
PLAYER
TEAM
Aaron Judge*
Yankees
Mike Trout
Angels
Randy Arozarena
Rays
*Judge is currently on the injured list
Fans wanted to see the reigning AL MVP play. Unfortunately, Judge is currently on the injured list with a toe injury, and will almost assuredly be replaced in the starting lineup. The electric Arozarena is a first-time All-Star and gives the Rays two starters for the first time since 2010 (Evan Longoria and Carl Crawford). Trout is officially an All-Star for the 11th time in his storied career. He’s now been voted into the starting lineup in 10 straight All-Star games.
Designated hitter
PLAYER
TEAM
Shohei Ohtani
Angels
Ohtani was acclaimed as the AL’s starting DH after leading the Junior Circuit in fan votes during the first phase. As a hitter, the two-way superstar leads the majors in home runs, slugging, and OPS. He’s starting at DH for the third straight season.
National League
Catcher
PLAYER
TEAM
Sean Murphy
Braves
Murphy’s a first-time All-Star in his first season with Atlanta. The 28-year-old bested Los Angeles Dodgers backstop Will Smith for the starting honor thanks to in part to his career-best .926 OPS.
First base
PLAYER
TEAM
Freddie Freeman
Dodgers
Freeman beat out Matt Olson for the NL starting spot at arguably the deepest position in either league. The 33-year-old is enjoying one of the best seasons of his career and leads the majors with 27 doubles.
Second base
PLAYER
TEAM
Luis Arraez
Marlins
Arraez earned his first All-Star start by flirting with hitting .400 all season long. He entered play Thursday at .396 while also leading the majors in hits.
Third base
PLAYER
TEAM
Nolan Arenado
Cardinals
Even in a bit of a down season, Arenado was the easy choice at the hot corner. This will mark his eighth All-Star appearance and fifth time starting in 11 big-league seasons.
Shortstop
PLAYER
TEAM
Orlando Arcia
Braves
Arcia, 28, has been a revelation for the Braves, solidifying shortstop after Dansby Swanson’s departure with a career-best offsensive season. He easily defeated New York Mets star Francisco Lindor in fan voting.
Outfield
PLAYER
TEAM
Ronald Acuna Jr.
Braves
Mookie Betts
Dodgers
Corbin Carroll
D-Backs
Acuna, who’s on pace for a historic season in Atlanta, was acclaimed as a starter after leading all players in votes during the first phase of balloting. Betts, who’s starred at three different positions for L.A. this year, is now a seven-time All-Star and four-time starter, with three of those berths coming in Dodger blue. Carroll, meanwhile, will start for the NL in his hometown of Seattle during what’s been a fantastic rookie season. He and Jung, the AL third baseman, will be the second set of rookies to start in the same All-Star Game, according to Sarah Langs of MLB.com.
Designated hitter
PLAYER
TEAM
J.D. Martinez
Dodgers
Martinez was rewarded for his comeback season in Los Angeles by being voted the starting All-Star DH for the third time in his career, and the first time in the NL. Overall, he’s now a six-time All-Star.
Got a story or tip for us? Email Sports Gossip editors at tips@sportsgossip.com
Want More From Sports Gossip?
For all the latest breaking Sports Gossip, be sure to follow SportsGossip.com on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
You can view the original article HERE.
