In the first month of the season, the most productive hitter on the Red Sox was rookie Andrew Benintendi. His impressive approach at the plate drew a heap of praise from Cubs manager Joe Maddon over the weekend, who said he was a modern-day Fred Lynn.
Back in 1975, Lynn set the standard for Red Sox rookies by winning the American League's Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player Award. As you might have guessed, he was also an All-Star that season.
• VOTE: Esurance MLB All-Star Game Ballot
Could Benintendi follow in his footsteps? The Esurance MLB All-Star Game Ballot was released on Monday, and Benintendi is listed along with Boston's two other impressive young outfielders, Jackie Bradley Jr. and Mookie Betts.
Dustin Pedroia, Boston's longest-tenured player, seeks his fifth All-Star appearance this season, and first since 2013. Shortstop Xander Bogaerts, a first-time All-Star last season along with Bradley and Betts, is also on the ballot again. Mitch Moreland, Boston's key offensive acquisition last offseason, is off to a strong start and is listed on the ballot at first base.
Sandy Leon is Boston's catcher on the ballot, though Christian Vazquez has actually received more playing time of late. Third baseman Pablo Sandoval needs to get healthy from a right knee sprain that currently has him on the disabled list if he hopes to make a run at being an All-Star.
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.