Jeter poised to start as Bautista nabs AL vote lead

Some things, even in the unpredictable world of baseball, are easy to rely upon.

One of those virtual certainties is that as long as he's putting on a Yankees uniform, Derek Jeter will be an American League All-Star shortstop.

That looks to be the case again in the New York legend's final season as another round of voting results have come in on Sunday, and Jeter once again leads the way at his position, garnering 1,376,054 votes to outpace runner-up Alexei Ramirez of the Chicago White Sox, who checks in with 1,212,362.

Otherwise, the latest AL results, barring a few slight alterations, could be named after a rock band that hails from the same city, Minneapolis, that will host this year's Midsummer Classic: the Hold Steady.

Jose Bautista of the Blue Jays (2,135,223) has overtaken Mike Trout of the Angels (1,945,170) as the overall leader for AL votes as we creep to about a month from the July 15 All-Star Game at Target Field, but that represents a simple flip-flop at the top of the outfield rankings and the overall vote totals.

Otherwise, it's business as usual, with the outfield top three being rounded out, as it was last week, by Toronto's Melky Cabrera (1,096,784), and all the other categories featuring the same leaders as last week.

Fans can cast their votes for starters at MLB.com and all 30 club sites -- online or on a mobile device -- using the 2014 All-Star Game MLB.com Ballot Sponsored by Experian until Thursday, July 3, at 11:59 p.m. ET. The 2014 All-Star Game will be played at Target Field on Tuesday, July 15.

Fans may submit up to 25 online ballots, but they can also earn a one-time bonus of 10 additional online ballots. To access these additional online ballots, you must be logged into your MLB.com account when you submit any online ballot. If you do not have an MLB.com account, register on the site in accordance with the enrollment instructions for a free MLB.com account.

At first base, there are no changes in order, with two-time defending AL MVP Miguel Cabrera of the Tigers (1,477,420) still well ahead of White Sox rookie Jose Abreu (845,059) and Angels slugger Albert Pujols (707,924).

Robinson Cano of the Seattle Mariners (1,111,880) took over the lead at second base last week and has stayed there, still holding off the challenge from Detroit's Ian Kinsler (887,544), who has been brilliant thus far in his first season with the Tigers.

Jeter is still Jeter at shortstop, and at third base, Josh Donaldson of the Oakland A's is backing up his monster first half with a monster vote total of 1,470,544. That's good enough to stay comfortably ahead of runner-up Evan Longoria of the Rays (729,092) and Manny Machado of the Orioles (720,761), who has passed Adrian Beltre of the Rangers (707,952) and moved into third place.

Behind the plate, Orioles catcher Matt Wieters, who is on the disabled list because of elbow problems, maintained the voting lead at 1,235,369. Brian McCann of the Yankees (827,200) and Oakland's Derek Norris (813,053) filled out the top three in the same order as last week.

The 2014 All-Star teams will be unveiled on the 2014 MLB All-Star Game Selection Show during the weekend of July 5-6, with further details to follow on MLB.com. The AL will have nine elected starters via the fan balloting program, while the NL will have eight fan-elected starters. Pitchers and reserves for both squads -- totaling 25 for the NL and 24 for the A.L. -- will be determined through a combination of "Player Ballot" choices and selections made by All-Star managers Mike Matheny (NL) and John Farrell (AL).

Immediately following the announcement of the rosters, you can select the final player for each league's 34-man roster via the 2014 All-Star Game MLB.com Final Vote Sponsored by Experian. Choose again at that point from among five players in each league. The Final Vote returns for its 13th season with more than 430 million votes cast to date, and you'll be able to make selections on MLB.com, club sites and your mobile device.

You'll be on a voting tear at that point, having already selected starters and the last men, and the ritual will not end there. The final phase of All-Star Game voting will again have fans participating in the voting for the Ted Williams All-Star Game Most Valuable Player Award presented by Chevrolet. During the big game, vote exclusively online at MLB.com via the 2014 All-Star Game MLB.com MVP Vote Sponsored by Pepsi. The fan voice will represent 20 percent of the overall vote that determines the recipient of the Arch Ward Trophy.

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

The 85th 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.

AMERICAN LEAGUE ALL-STAR VOTE LEADERS

CATCHER
1. Matt Wieters, Orioles: 1,235,369
2. Brian McCann, Yankees: 827,200
3. Derek Norris, A's: 813,053
4. A.J. Pierzynski, Red Sox: 491,709
5. Kurt Suzuki, Twins: 465,202

FIRST BASE
1. Miguel Cabrera, Tigers: 1,477,420
2. Jose Abreu, White Sox: 845,059
3. Albert Pujols, Angels: 707,924
4. Chris Davis, Orioles: 659,800
5. Mark Teixeira, Yankees: 436,504

SECOND BASE
1. Robinson Cano, Mariners: 1,111,880
2. Ian Kinsler, Tigers: 887,544
3. Dustin Pedroia, Red Sox: 778,700
4. Brian Dozier, Twins: 488,524
5. Jose Altuve, Astros: 392,416

SHORTSTOP
1. Derek Jeter, Yankees: 1,376,054
2. Alexei Ramirez, White Sox: 1,212,362
3. J.J. Hardy, Orioles: 754,764
4. Jose Reyes, Blue Jays: 536,525
5. Jed Lowrie, A's: 401,798

THIRD BASE
1. Josh Donaldson, A's: 1,470,544
2. Evan Longoria, Rays: 729,092
3. Manny Machado, Orioles: 720,761
4. Adrian Beltre, Rangers: 707,952
5. Brett Lawrie, Blue Jays: 469,855

DESIGNATED HITTER
1. Nelson Cruz, Orioles: 1,404,275
2. David Ortiz, Red Sox: 1,036,055
3. Victor Martinez, Tigers: 843,215
4. Edwin Encarnacion, Blue Jays: 738,107
5. Brandon Moss, A's: 480,597

OUTFIELD
1. Jose Bautista, Blue Jays: 2,135,223
2. Mike Trout, Angels: 1,945,170
3. Melky Cabrera, Blue Jays: 1,096,784
4. Adam Jones, Orioles: 820,336
5. Jacoby Ellsbury, Yankees: 813,357
6. Yoenis Cespedes, A's: 799,123
7. Michael Brantley, Indians: 720,961
8. Carlos Beltran, Yankees: 712,154
9. Nick Markakis, Orioles: 691,023
10. Torii Hunter, Tigers: 666,116
11. Shin-Soo Choo, Rangers: 532,267
12. Alex Rios, Rangers: 483,151
13. Brett Gardner, Yankees: 453,169
14. Coco Crisp, A's: 444,433
15. David Lough, Orioles: 396,085