Posey assumes All-Star catcher voting lead

SAN FRANCISCO -- Buster Posey's legion of fans intend to see him perform in next month's All-Star Game, as the latest results of the 2015 Esurance MLB All-Star Game Ballot voting demonstrate.

Posey, the popular Giant, has leapfrogged his esteemed St. Louis counterpart, Yadier Molina, in the balloting for All-Star catcher in the latest National League results announced Tuesday. An All-Star selection in 2012 and 2013, Posey has inched ahead of Molina, a six-time All-Star, 1,679,730 votes to 1,542,231.

The Posey-Molina competition is the NL's tightest voting race, but not by much. Another St. Louis-San Francisco pair has become involved in balloting that could remain spirited. Cardinals shortstop Jhonny Peralta maintains a slim edge over Brandon Crawford of the Giants, 1,279,711 to 1,103,884.

Video: ATL@SF: Crawford hits solo homer to go back-to-back

Another Giants contender is Nori Aoki, who's in the running for the third outfield spot. Right now, that belongs to Miami's Giancarlo Stanton, who has 1,210,108 votes. But Aoki, with 1,012,117, isn't far behind.

Fans can cast their votes for starters at MLB.com and all 30 club sites -- on their computers, tablets and smartphones using the 2015 Esurance MLB All-Star Game Ballot until Thursday, July 2, at 8:59 p.m. PT. For the first time, voting is exclusively online, where fans may submit up to 35 ballots.

Fans may also receive the ballot by texting VOTE to 89269 (USA) or 101010 (Canada). Or text VOTA for a ballot in Spanish. Message and data rates may apply. Up to five messages. No purchase required. Reply STOP to cancel. Reply HELP for info.

Following the announcement of the 2015 All-Stars, be sure to return to MLB.com and cast your 2015 Esurance MLB All-Star Game Final Vote for the final player for each league's All-Star roster. On Tuesday, July 14, watch the 2015 All-Star Game live on FOX, and during the game visit MLB.com to submit your choice for the Ted Williams Most Valuable Player Award presented by Chevrolet via the 2015 MLB All-Star Game MVP Vote.

MLB.com will provide extensive online coverage of All-Star Week festivities.

The 86th All-Star Game will be televised nationally by FOX, in Canada by Rogers Sportsnet and RDS, and worldwide by partners in more than 200 countries via MLB International's independent feed. ESPN Radio and ESPN Radio Deportes will provide national radio coverage of the All-Star Game. MLB Network and SiriusXM will also provide comprehensive All-Star Week coverage. For more information, please visit allstargame.com.

Other Giants rank among the leaders at their respective positions but aren't as close as Posey, Crawford and Aoki. Angel Pagan and Hunter Pence rank fifth and sixth in the outfield balloting with 782,876 and 692,922 votes, respectively. Joe Panik ranks third among second basemen with 723,564 votes, but leader Dee Gordon of Miami has more than twice as many (1,531,048). First baseman Brandon Belt ranks fifth with 632,931 votes, trailing leader Adrian Gonzalez of the Dodgers (1,380,696).