ANAHEIM -- Astros second baseman Jose Altuve is closing in on his second consecutive start at second base for the American League in next month's All-Star Game, leading the voting at the position by nearly 1 million more than Robinson Cano of the Mariners in balloting totals released Monday.
Altuve entered Monday ranking second among all Major League position players in WAR (4.3), just behind the Angels' Mike Trout (4.4). He leads the AL in batting average (.347) and leads AL second basemen in on-base percentage (.425), slugging (.562), OPS (.987), hits (103), doubles (23), walks (38) and steals (18).
• Cast your Esurance All-Star ballot for Altuve and other #ASGWorthy players
Altuve has 2,186,949 votes, compared to 1,276,010 for Cano. The only other Astros player among the voting leaders at his position is shortstop Carlos Correa, who is fifth in the AL with 694,103 votes. Xander Bogaerts of the Red Sox leads at shortstop with 2,825,025 votes.
Despite a Gold Glove-caliber season in right field, George Springer of the Astros isn't among the Top 15 vote-getters among AL outfielders. He's hitting .261 and ranks second among AL outfielders in homers (15), third in outfield assists (eight), fourth in runs (51), ninth in RBIs (46), eighth in hits (81) and ninth in OPS (.818).
• FAQ: How All-Star reserves are selected
Fans can cast their votes for starters at MLB.com<http: 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 10:59 p.m. CT. Vote up to five times in any 24-hour period for a maximum of 35 times.
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 2016 All-Stars, be sure to return to MLB.com<http: 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<http: 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.
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<http: mlb.com="">, MLB Network and SiriusXM will also provide comprehensive All-Star Week coverage. For more information, please visit allstargame.com<http: allstargame.com="">.