NEW YORK — The Los Angeles Dodgers boast a notable presence in this year’s All-Star Game, as their star lineup includes three fan-elected starters. Led by first baseman Freddie Freeman and catcher Will Smith, the duo will join designated hitter Shohei Ohtani. The final vote totals were revealed on Wednesday, marking another significant achievement for the team.
Meanwhile, the Detroit Tigers are set to make waves with three fan-chosen starters for the first time since 2007. Second baseman Gleyber Torres, together with outfielders Riley Greene and Javier Báez, were selected to represent their positions at this exciting event at Truist Park in Atlanta on July 15.
Pete Crow-Armstrong and Kyle Tucker from the Chicago Cubs have been elected to play in the National League (NL) outfield alongside Ronald Acuña Jr. from the hosting team, the Atlanta Braves.
In additional line-up announcements, Arizona’s Ketel Marte, Francisco Lindor of the New York Mets, and San Diego’s Manny Machado will take starting roles for the NL.
For the American League (AL), Seattle’s Cal Raleigh, Toronto’s Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Athletics’ rookie Jacob Wilson at shortstop, Cleveland’s José Ramírez, and Baltimore’s Ryan O’Hearn were named as starters.
Notably, Jacob Wilson clinched his position over Kansas City’s Bobby Witt Jr. with a narrow 52% to 48% voting result. Wilson steps into the All-Star spotlight as the second rookie shortstop to achieve this honor, the first being Baltimore’s Ron Hansen back in 1960. Continuing the legacy, his father, Jack, represented Pittsburgh as an All-Star in 2004.
This season is set to feature nine first-time starters, marking a new trend seen during the past three years. In the AL lineup, emerging players include Wilson, Greene, O’Hearn, Raleigh, and Torres, while the NL welcomes newcomers Crow-Armstrong, Lindor, Smith, and Tucker.
In a tight contest, Javier Báez narrowly won the third AL outfield spot over Los Angeles Angels’ Mike Trout by a mere 2% — 26% to 24% — making it one of the closest races.
New York Yankees’ Aaron Judge, last week’s top vote recipient from the initial round, secured a starting role. Ohtani also emerged as the leading vote-getter, clinching the National League Designated Hitter (NL DH) slot. Voting procedures, which have been revamped since 2022, involve two distinct phases. The second phase just concluded, running from Monday to Thursday.
Looking back, Detroit’s 2007 All-Star Game selections included notable names like catcher Iván Rodríguez, left fielder Magglio Ordóñez, and second baseman Plácido Polanco.
Freddie Freeman stands out as the most seasoned All-Star in the lineup, marking his ninth selection and fifth time starting. His return to Atlanta, a city where he thrived from 2010 to 2021, is especially poignant.
Both Manny Machado and Aaron Judge have earned All-Star selections seven times, with Judge consistently starting in each appearance. Guerrero, Judge, Marte, Ohtani, and Ramírez continue as the only returning starters from last season’s elected lineup.
Expectations mount as pitchers and reserves are set for announcement on Sunday, rounding out the 2023 All-Star rosters.