CLEVELAND -- The second American League All-Star Ballot update was released Tuesday. Once again Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor was not one of the top five vote-getters at his position, despite ranking near the top of every statistical category among AL shortstops.
"To see him not even on the top list of shortstops for the All-Star Game, it is disappointing," Cleveland starter Josh Tomlin said last week. "He's a special player and he needs to be there."
Many of the same names appeared in the second update at shortstop. Xander Bogaerts of Boston, Alcides Escobar of Kansas City, Troy Tulowitzki of Toronto and Carlos Correa of Houston remain in the top four for the second consecutive week. Elvis Andrus of Texas replaced J.J. Hardy of Baltimore in the fifth spot.
Entering Tuesday, Lindor posted better numbers than four of the top five vote-getters in batting average (.308), OPS (.809), OBP (.361) and WAR (2.6). However, when asked about his absence in the first ballot in the midst of a four-game sweep over Kansas City, Lindor shrugged it off.
"I don't play for any awards, I play for October baseball," Lindor said last week. "The biggest accomplishment anyone could have is to win the World Series. You can see the Kansas City team. They've got Gold Glovers, All-Stars and Silver Sluggers. And you can ask them, 'What was the best part of your career so far?' They will say, 'Winning the World Series.' That's what I want."
No members of the Tribe were listed in the top five at their position. Another Indians player who has a similar case is first baseman Mike Napoli, who has more home runs (14) and RBIs (42) than the top five vote-getters at first base.
Fans can cast their votes for starters at MLB.com and all 30 club sites -- on their computers, tablets and smartphones -- exclusively online using the 2016 Esurance MLB All-Star Game Ballot until Thursday, June 30, at 11:59 p.m. ET. Vote up to five times in any 24-hour period for a maximum of 35 times.
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Following the announcement of the 2016 All-Stars, be sure to return to MLB.com and cast your 2016 Esurance MLB All-Star Game Final Vote for the final player on each league's All-Star roster. On Tuesday, July 12, watch the 2016 All-Star Game presented by MasterCard 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 2016 MLB All-Star Game MVP Vote.
Leaders in the second round of balloting are Salvador Perez of the Royals at catcher, Eric Hosmer of the Royals at first base, Jose Altuve of the Astros at second base, Xander Bogaerts of the Red Sox at shortstop, Manny Machado of the Orioles at third base and Mike Trout of the Angels, Lorenzo Cain of the Royals and Jackie Bradley Jr. of the Red Sox in the outfield. David Ortiz, in his final season, leads at DH by a wide margin.
The 87th All-Star Game, in San Diego, will be televised nationally by FOX, in Canada by Rogers Sportsnet and RDS, and worldwide by partners in more than 160 countries via MLB International's independent feed. ESPN Radio and ESPN Radio Deportes will provide national radio coverage of the All-Star Game. MLB.com, MLB Network and SiriusXM will also provide comprehensive All-Star Week coverage. For more information, please visit allstargame.com.