CHICAGO -- Jose Abreu stayed true to form on Tuesday -- wanting to focus more on the game that night against the Indians than on his lead in the early results of the American League All-Star first basemen voting.
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But achieving the starting honor would be something special for Abreu, not to mention the White Sox organization.
"It will be excellent because we play this game for the fans," said Abreu through interpreter Billy Russo. "To have the honor to represent them, and they know what I'm doing, that is really big. If that happens I would be really happy."
"Having the opportunity to work with him every day is something really special," said White Sox second baseman Yoan Moncada of Abreu, through Russo. "He likes to work, and you are always learning from him -- the things that he does, how he handles himself and his routine. That's something that you really appreciate, and I always thank him for allowing me to be close to him."
Abreu, an All-Star in his AL Rookie of the Year Award-winning season of 2014, has 267,812 votes to carry a slim lead over Boston's Mitch Moreland (241,889). Detroit's Jose Cabrera (173,174), Los Angeles' Jose Pujols (155,219) and Houston's Yuli Gurriel (154,363) round out the top five at first base. No other White Sox player received enough support for the top five (or top 15 in the outfield).

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According to the team, Abreu is the first White Sox player to lead at any point in the balloting process since Frank Thomas won the fan election at first base in 1996. Abreu would be the sixth White Sox player to be fan-elected as a starter to the All-Star Game, joining Thomas (1994-96), Carlton Fisk (1981-82), Richie Zisk (1977), Dick Allen (1972-74) and Luis Aparicio (1970).
The 31-year-old ranks first among AL first basemen in RBIs, doubles, slugging percentage and OPS. Entering Tuesday, Abreu had a .290 average with an .862 OPS, 10 home runs and 38 RBIs. His 25 doubles put him second in the AL behind Eduardo Escobar.
"[Making All-Star teams] are the experiences you never forget," Abreu said. "At that time [in 2014], it was recognition for all my work and for the journey to come to the U.S. and the Majors.
"One of the best moments was when I met Derek Jeter. He was in his retirement year, and it was a very special moment for me. Just being there, being around great players and having the opportunity to share the field and locker room with them was very special."
Third to first
• Outfielder Avisail Garcia began an injury rehab assignment with Triple-A Charlotte Tuesday, hitting second and serving as designated hitter. He singled in his first at-bat, after being out of game action since April 23 with a right hamstring strain.
• Moncada has heard talk from manager Rick Renteria and general manager Rick Hahn about a generous strike zone being employed against him by umpires. But the switch-hitter, who is 24-for-119 in his last 30 games, knows it's incumbent on him to make adjustments.
"I'm getting too many calls that for me are not strikes," Moncada said. "They are calling those pitches strikes and I will have to make some adjustments in order to take advantage of the situation. It's just more to keep doing the things that I'm doing. Just be more aware of the strike zone."