Kipnis, Brantley move up in All-Star voting

CLEVELAND -- Second baseman Jason Kipnis and outfielder Michael Brantley have gained some ground on the 2015 Esurance MLB All-Star Game Ballot, perhaps thanks in part to the "Vote Kipnis" and "Vote Brantley" messages recently painted onto the grass on the foul side of the first- and third-base lines at Progressive Field.

In Monday's latest update of the All-Star voting, Kipnis ranked third among American League second basemen after a fourth-place showing last week, while Brantley moved up to sixth among AL outfielders after placing seventh in the last wave of results.

Thanks in part to a historic May, Kipnis leads AL second basemen in hits (77), doubles (18, tied for first), triples (4), on-base percentage (.414), OPS+ (160) and Wins Above Replacement (3.7) in 47 games heading into play Monday.

Still, with 1,104,667 votes, Kipnis trails Houston's Jose Altuve (2,809,731 votes) and Kansas City's Omar Infante (2,650,416).

Brantley ranks second among AL outfielders in doubles (17), is tied for fourth in RBIs (33), ranks sixth in OPS+ (136) and has struck out just 15 times in 47 games.

Brantley's 1,466,472 votes leave him behind a trio of Kansas City outfielders in Lorenzo Cain (4,211,472), Alex Gordon (3,393,134) and Alex Rios (2,311,122), as well as reigning MVP Mike Trout (3,668,557) of the Angels and Baltimore's Adam Jones (1,995,897).

Video: CLE@KC: Brantley lines a single to bring home Kipnis

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 11:59 p.m. ET. 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.