Bryant, Rizzo, Castro need ASG ballot help
CHICAGO -- Rookie Kris Bryant, who notched the first multi-homer game of his career Monday night against the Dodgers, slipped to third among National League third basemen in the latest 2015 Esurance MLB All-Star Game Ballot, released Tuesday.
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Starlin Castro was fourth among NL shortstops, and Anthony Rizzo (first base) and Miguel Montero (catcher) were each fifth at their respective positions in the latest results. However, Cubs manager Joe Maddon did some lobbying for his first baseman over the weekend.
"The guy's got to be on the All-Star team," Maddon said of Rizzo. "Let him play shortstop, I don't care. He's got to be on the All-Star team, he's had that kind of first half.
"It's remarkable to watch him every day," Maddon said. "I know there are other really good first basemen, and it's probably the most loaded position there is, but what he's done is remarkable. I've not seen it in person [before]."
Video: CHC@MIN: Rizzo clubs two solo homers in loss to Twins
Shortstop?
"I don't know about shortstop," said Rizzo, who was elected to the All-Star team last year through the Final Vote. "It's somewhere I'd love to be, Cincinnati, at the All-Star Game. Stuff like that is out of your control. We have to focus on winning games here."
Rizzo trailed the D-backs' Paul Goldschmidt, the Dodgers' Adrian Gonzalez, the Reds' Joey Votto and the Cardinals' Matt Adams in the close competition at first base. Rizzo had received 2,129,116 votes through the latest update.
Bryant had received 3,042,439 votes, while the Cardinals' Matt Carpenter led the third-base field, receiving more than 5.5 million. The Reds' Todd Frazier was second.
Montero had received 1,276,847 votes, while the Giants' Buster Posey leads the field.
Castro, a three-time NL All-Star, had received 1,864,773 votes, behind the Cardinals' Jhonny Peralta, the Giants' Brandon Crawford and the Rockies' Troy Tulowitzki.
The 86th All-Star Game will be played July 14 at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati.
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.