SEATTLE - Mariners shortstop Jean Segura has a chance to return to the All-Star Game for the first time since he was with the Brewers in 2013, but he'll need some help from the fans to get to Washington, D.C., for the Midsummer Classic on July 17.
• VOTE Segura: 2018 Camping World MLB Final Vote
Segura is one of five Final Vote finalists in the American League, with a chance to be the 32nd player on the American League squad. The other 31 players were announced to the AL team on Sunday, and Segura will have a chance to join Seattle teammates Edwin Diaz, Mitch Haniger and Nelson Cruz if he wins the Final Vote balloting.
This is the first time the Mariners have had a player selected for the Final Vote, which is in its 18th season. They had been the only MLB team to never take part.
It won't be an easy road for Segura as he's up against Yankees slugger Giancarlo Stanton, young Red Sox standout Andrew Benintendi, Angels shortstop Andrelton Simmons and Twins outfielder Eddie Rosario.
But Segura is a perfect candidate for the honor. He missed out on making the AL team despite an impressive first half in which he's hit .330 with seven home runs, 47 RBIs, 61 runs scored and 14 stolen bases.
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"You can go through the list," Cruz said, "He's up there in hits, average, extra-base hits, three-hit games. He's been playing good defense for us and is a huge part of our success. So vote Jean."
Mariners manager Scott Servais was stunned that Segura didn't make the AL club that was announced Sunday.
"I'm quite frankly shocked that Jean Segura wasn't on it, but there's a lot of good players in the league," Servais said. "Certainly shortstop is a position that guys are having great years. But it's really hard to hit .330 in this league. It's hard enough to hit .330 for two weeks, let alone half a season. Jean has just been unbelievable.
"And James Paxton, I go back to that no-hitter in Toronto and what it did for our team as far as energizing our club. He's the top-of-the-rotation guy and the horse that has really carried our starting rotation. Pax and Jean not getting in, it's tough. I certainly hope our fans step up and people around the Pacific Northwest put their votes in because Jean really deserves to go."
For his part, Segura isn't planning to spend much time campaigning for votes, however. He'll let his play on the field do the talking for the most part.
"You see my numbers," he said. "I don't know. I'm not the one to make that decision. First of all, it's disappointing. For me, I'll just continue to do my job and play for Seattle and push for this beautiful team and beautiful city to make the playoffs."
Fans can cast votes for the final player on each league's roster -- on computers, tablets and smartphones -- exclusively online as part of the 2018 Camping World MLB Final Vote, as well as via the MLB At Bat and MLB Ballpark mobile apps, until Wednesday at 1 p.m. PT.
Then on Tuesday, July 17, while watching the 2018 All-Star Game presented by Mastercard live on FOX, fans can submit their choices for the Ted Williams Most Valuable Player Award presented by Chevrolet with the 2018 All-Star Game MLB.com MVP Vote.
The 89th Midsummer Classic, at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., will be televised nationally by FOX Sports; in Canada by Rogers Sportsnet and RDS; and worldwide by partners in more than 180 countries. FOX Deportes will provide Spanish-language coverage in the United States, while ESPN Radio and ESPN Radio Deportes will provide exclusive national radio coverage of the All-Star Game. MLB Network, MLB.com and SiriusXM also will provide comprehensive All-Star Week coverage.
For more information about MLB All-Star Week and to purchase tickets, visit AllStarGame.com and follow @MLB and @AllStarGame on social media.