Altuve again tops at 2B on ASG ballot update
HOUSTON -- Jose Altuve of the Astros maintained his lead among American League second basemen in the 2015 Esurance MLB All-Star Game Ballot update released Monday. He has 2,020,143 votes, with Kansas City's Omar Infante (1,442,990) in second.
"People that are voting for you are supporting your team, and that's pretty special for me," Altuve said. "If I'm going to be able to represent my team in the All-Star Game I'm going to be proud, but everybody knows our mindset right now is winning games."
Altuve entered the week hitting .296 with a .344 on-base percentage, and he is leading the AL in at-bats (206) and stolen bases (15). The only other Astros position player among the leading vote-getters at his position is shortstop Jed Lowrie, who's fourth with 511,714 votes. He's injured and will be out until after the All-Star break.
"I hope it happens for [Altuve] and I hope it happens for our organization, and to see it to the finish line and have him start the All-Star Game," manager A.J. Hinch said. "All of us who are around him every day know he's an All-Star-caliber player the way he goes about it. He's what an All-Star is all about."
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 10:59 p.m. CT. 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.