The Esurance MLB All-Star Game Ballot is out, and the Pirates are represented by eight players.
Pitching has been Pittsburgh's strength to start the season, and several of the Bucs' standout arms -- Ivan Nova chief among them -- could work their way onto the National League All-Star team this summer. But fans can help send the Pirates' hitters to Miami on July 11 by casting their ballots.
• VOTE: Esurance MLB All-Star Game Ballot
Listed on the ballot for Pittsburgh are catcher Francisco Cervelli, first baseman Josh Bell, infielder Josh Harrison, shortstop Jordy Mercer, third baseman David Freese, super-utility man Adam Frazier and outfielders Andrew McCutchen and Gregory Polanco.
Before going on the 10-day disabled list with a right hamstring injury, Freese was off to the hottest start of any Pirates hitter, batting .321/.418/.536 with three home runs and 10 RBIs in 18 games. Frazier was also hitting well, posting a .306/.370/.449 slash line before suffering his own hamstring strain.
After making the All-Star team each year from 2011-15, McCutchen was not named to the NL squad last season in San Diego, where the Bucs were represented by the now-suspended Starling Marte and former closer Mark Melancon. McCutchen is off to an average start this season, but a hot streak in May and June would thrust the face of the franchise into the All-Star conversation.
The NL's first-base pool is stacked with talent, but Bell hopes to join that group soon. The switch-hitting rookie leads the club with four homers despite a rocky start, and he's batting .257/.358/.457 through 24 games.
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.