CHICAGO -- Avisail Garcia has transformed himself from a question mark in regard to his White Sox future to one of the American League's top players in a matter of just a couple months.
And with continued fan support, Garcia could become a starting outfielder in his first All-Star appearance. In the first round of the 2017 Esurance MLB All-Star Game Ballot results, which were released for the AL on Wednesday, Garcia ranked sixth among outfielders.
The right fielder had 303,603 votes. He trails Michael Trout (776,937), Aaron Judge (730,438), Mookie Betts (337,473), Michael Brantley (333,703) and Andrew Benintendi (327,047). No other White Sox position player ranked in the Top 15 among outfielders or Top 5 among other positions.
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"This year has been a tremendous boost for him. I think his confidence level is very high," White Sox manager Rick Renteria said of Garcia. "He's always been consistent in his routine, but this year's he's having a lot of fun.
"He's actually been able to go out there and perform and stay consistent. I think he's very happy with where he's at right now, and he's going to continue."
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 10:59 p.m. CT. 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.
Garcia entered Wednesday's series finale against the Red Sox ranked fifth in the AL with a .328 average, tied for fourth with 37 RBIs, tied for second with three triples and fifth with a .920 OPS. The 25-year-old struggled for consistency during two full seasons with the White Sox, but he came into Spring Training down 20 pounds, and he has refined his approach at the plate.
Jose Abreu, the most recent AL Player of the Week, did not break the Top 5 at first base despite a .295 average, 10 homers and 30 RBIs.