NEW YORK -- Aaron Judge has overtaken Michael Trout as the American League's leading vote-getter as the slugging outfielder is on track to become just the third Yankees rookie to start an All-Star Game.
Judge has tallied 1,251,543 votes at the second checkpoint of the 2017 Esurance MLB All-Star Game Ballot, as announced on Tuesday by Major League Baseball. He moves ahead of the Angels' Trout (1,155,356), who is on the disabled list with a left thumb injury.
Only the Nationals' Bryce Harper (1,459,235) has tallied more overall votes than Judge, who entered play on Tuesday leading the Majors with 18 home runs. The 88th All-Star Game is scheduled to be played on July 11 at Marlins Park in Miami.
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"It's cool, but I've got a job to do on the field, so I'm more focused on that right now," Judge said. "If I go out there and take care of that, all the other stuff will take care of itself."
Joe DiMaggio (1936) and Hideki Matsui (2003) are the only previous Yankees rookies to start a Midsummer Classic. Yankees manager Joe Girardi said that he believes Judge's personality is resonating with fans around the country.
"People are like, 'Wow, I want to see this kid,'" Girardi said. "You've got a defensive end diving for fly balls into the stands, on the ground, in the gap, running the bases. He's just playing extremely well and I think people are recognizing what he's doing. They want to see more."
"I'm living the dream," Judge said last week. "I'm getting paid to play a kids' game, a game I've played since I was a little kid playing T-ball. I'm getting here with the New York Yankees, we're in first place and I enjoy every day I come to the ballpark."
Michael Brantley (554,620) of the Indians has a small lead on the Red Sox's Mookie Betts (519,146) for third place among AL outfielders.
Second baseman Starlin Castro (778,699) held a lead at the first checkpoint, but he has been overtaken by Jose Altuve (998,107) of the Astros and now ranks second at his position.
Designated hitter Matthew Holliday (460,355) -- a seven-time All-Star -- has closed ground and now ranks second only to the Mariners' Nelson Cruz (615,955).
Other Yanks with notable showings at the second balloting checkpoint are Didi Gregorius (397,326, third among AL shortstops), Gary Sanchez (461,152, fourth among AL catchers), Brett Gardner (364,493, ninth among AL outfielders) and Jacoby Ellsbury (269,974, 15th among AL outfielders).
Fans may cast votes for starters at MLB.com and all 30 club sites -- on computers, tablets and smartphones -- exclusively online using the 2017 Esurance MLB All-Star Game Ballot until Thursday, June 29, at 11:59 p.m. ET. On smartphones and tablets, fans can also access the ballot via the MLB.com At Bat and MLB.com Ballpark mobile apps. Vote up to five times in any 24-hour period for a maximum of 35 ballots cast.
Following the announcement of the 2017 All-Star starters, reserves and pitchers, fans should return to MLB.com and cast their 2017 Esurance MLB All-Star Game Final Vote for the final player on each league's All-Star roster. Then on Tuesday, July 11, while watching the 2017 All-Star Game presented by MasterCard live on FOX, fans may visit MLB.com to submit their choices for the Ted Williams Most Valuable Player Award presented by Chevrolet with the 2017 MLB All-Star Game MVP Vote.
The 88th Midsummer Classic, at Marlins Park in Miami, will be televised nationally by FOX Sports; in Canada by Rogers Sportsnet and RDS; and worldwide by partners in more than 160 countries. ESPN Radio and ESPN Radio Deportes will provide exclusive national radio coverage, while MLB Network, MLB.com and SiriusXM will have comprehensive All-Star Week coverage. For more information about MLB All-Star Week and to purchase tickets, please visit AllStarGame.com and follow @AllStarGame on social media.