Shohei Ohtani has been chosen to start as the designated hitter in four consecutive All-Star Games, while Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees is the only other player to remain from last year in the lineups for this year’s All-Star Game on July 16 in Arlington, Texas.
Philadelphia could see three of the four National League infielders start, with fans picking Trea Turner and Alec Bohm to join Bryce Harper, whose participation is uncertain due to a leg injury.
Major League Baseball revealed that this is the first time since fan balloting resumed in 1970 that each league has had no more than one player repeat as an elected starter.
A total of six teams boast two starters each, with players like Juan Soto and Aaron Judge partnering up for the Yankees, gaining their spots through fan votes in the first round of balloting.
Pitchers and reserves for the All-Star Game will be announced on Sunday. The game will feature several first-time starters, including Adley Rutschman, Jurickson Profar, and Gunnar Henderson.
Shohei Ohtani, who has transitioned from the Los Angeles Angels to the Dodgers this season, is selected as an All-Star for the fourth time but isn’t pitching due to elbow surgery. David Ortiz previously started at DH for three consecutive All-Star Games from 2011-2013.
Regular All-Star selections like José Altuve, José Ramírez, and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. were also chosen to start in this year’s game. Eight players are making their first All-Star Game start.
In the NL, the closest vote was between Tatis, Teoscar Hernandez, and Brandon Marsh for the third outfield spot. In the AL, Yordan Alvarez and Steven Kwan won the last DH and outfield spots by narrow margins.
No players were elected to start from the host Texas Rangers, who had four starters in last year’s All-Star Game. Jurickson Profar, in his 11th season, is an All-Star for the first time after signing with the Padres for the 2023 season.
During the initial voting period, several players like Guerrero and Tatis trailed behind their competitors, showcasing the unpredictability of fan voting in baseball.
