McCutchen takes outfield lead in final National League balloting update for 85th All-Star Game

Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen, the reigning National League Most Valuable Player, has taken over the top outfield spot in the final balloting update for the 85^th All-Star Game, to be played on Tuesday, July 15^th at Target Field in Minnesota. The 2014 A.L. and N.L. All-Star squads will be unveiled on the "Taco Bell™ All-Star Selection Show" on ESPN at 7:00 p.m. (ET)/6:00 p.m. (CT) on Sunday, July 6^th.

McCutchen has received 3,173,810 votes, which ranks second overall in the N.L., and he is joined by fellow outfield leaders Carlos Gomez (3,169,748) of the Milwaukee Brewers and Yasiel Puig (3,001,907) of the Los Angeles Dodgers. They are followed by 2012 All-Star Giancarlo Stanton (2,681,019) of the Miami Marlins, Gomez's Milwaukee teammate and five-time All-Star Ryan Braun (2,509,770) and Charlie Blackmon (1,859,729) of the Colorado Rockies.

McCutchen, who is bidding for his fourth All-Star selection and first fan-elected start, would become the first Pittsburgh player to earn a fan election since outfielder Jason Bay in 2006. In addition, McCutchen could become just the seventh player in franchise history to garner a fan election, joining Bay, Barry Bonds (1992-93), Andy Van Slyke (1992-93), Dave Parker (1977-78, 1980-81), and Hall of Famers Roberto Clemente (1972) and Willie Stargell (1971-72). McCutchen, who has hit safely in eight straight games, led all Major League players with 20 extra-base hits during the month of June, and he was the first Pirates player with 20 extra-base hits in one month since Brian Giles in June 2001. He ranks first in the N.L. with 54 walks, second with a .418 on-base percentage, tied for third with 38 extra-base hits, fourth with a .314 batting average, tied for fourth with 24 doubles and 159 total bases, tied for fifth with a .525 slugging percentage, seventh with 95 hits, tied for seventh with 48 RBI,

Gomez is attempting to earn his first career fan election after being selected an All-Star for the first time in 2013. He would join teammate Ryan Braun (2008-11) as the only Brewers outfielders to garner a fan election in franchise history. Gomez, who posted a career-best and Milwaukee season-high 18-game hitting streak in June, is third in the N.L. with a .359 batting average with runners in scoring position, is tied for fourth with 159 total bases, tied for fifth with a .525 slugging percentage, tied for seventh with 36 extra-base hits, ranks eighth with 94 hits, ninth with a .310 batting average and is tied for ninth with 52 runs scored. 

Puig, in his second Major League season, is seeking his first All-Star assignment. An election for Puig would give the Dodgers a fan-elected outfielder in the All-Star Game for the fourth time in the last five years, following the elections of Andre Ethier (2010) and Matt Kemp (2011-12). The Cuban native is tied for fifth in the N.L. with 28 multi-hit games, ranks sixth with a .401 on-base percentage, seventh with a .344 batting average with runners in scoring position, tied for seventh with a .311 batting average overall, eighth with a .517 slugging percentage and is tied for ninth with 153 total bases.

After taking over the top spot at third base last week, Aramis Ramirez (1,790,777) of the Milwaukee Brewers continues to hold a slight advantage over seven-time All-Star and five-time fan-elected starter David Wright (1,555,717) of the New York Mets, and two-time All-Star and 2012 starter Pablo Sandoval (1,406,026) of the San Francisco Giants. Ramirez, a two-time All-Star, is aiming for the first fan election of his career, and he would become the first Brewers third baseman to win a fan election. The 35-year-old native of the Dominican Republic is batting .292 with 11 home runs and 40 RBI on the season. Among N.L. third basemen, he ranks third in home runs and fifth in RBI. Wright is attempting to join Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt (eight fan elections) as the only N.L. third basemen to earn at least six fan-elected starting assignments. Sandoval would become the fourth infielder in Giants history to earn multiple fan elections, joining Will Clark (1988-91), Jeff Kent (2000-01) and Matt Williams (1994-96).

Behind the plate, St. Louis Cardinals backstop Yadier Molina remains the leader with 3,100,939, but Brewers catcher Jonathan Lucroy (2,636,640) has cut into his lead and is within striking distance heading into the final stretch of fan voting. Molina, a five-time All-Star and three-time fan-elected starter, is attempting to earn his second consecutive fan-elected starting assignment. He would join Hall of Famer Ozzie Smith (12) and former teammate Albert Pujols (5) as the only players in Cardinals history to receive at least four fan-elected starts. Molina has thrown out 17 of 34 runners attempting to steal this season for a N.L.-best .500 percentage. The Cardinals have had at least one player elected to start in each of the last five seasons (2009-13), marking the longest active streak in the N.L. Lucroy, who is vying for his first career All-Star selection, leads all Major League catchers with 100 hits and 28 doubles, and ranks second with 42 RBI.

Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki continues to lead the N.L. with 3,997,477 votes, which also ranks third in the Majors behind A.L. outfielders Jose Bautista (4,460,245) of the Toronto Blue Jays and Mike Trout (4,085,647) of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Tulowitzki leads the Majors with a .353 batting average, .445 on-base percentage and 65 runs scored, and he is second with a .618 slugging percentage. The three-time All-Star, who is trying for his second consecutive fan election, would become the first N.L. shortstop to earn consecutive fan-elected starts since Hanley Ramirez accomplished the feat from 2008-10. Tulowitzki would also become just the third player in Rockies history to earn multiple fan elections, joining Todd Helton and Larry Walker, both of whom were voted a starter on three occasions. Tulowitzki, the N.L. captain for the 2014 Gillette Home Run Derby, also ranks second in the N.L. with 18 home runs and 170 total bases, is tied for second with 29 multi-hit games, tied for third with 97 hits, tied for sixth with 46 walks, tied for seventh with 36 extra-base hits and tied for 10^th with 47 RBI. Milwaukee's Jean Segura ranks second behind Tulowitzki with 1,729,054 votes.

On the right side of the infield, Philadelphia Phillies second baseman Chase Utley and Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman Paul Goldschmidt own comfortable leads as balloting comes to a close. Utley, who has totaled 2,436,143 votes, is followed by Neil Walker (1,556,511) of the Pirates. Utley is attempting to make his sixth All-Star squad and earn his sixth fan election after garnering a starting assignment in each season from 2006-10. His five fan elections trail only Schmidt (9) for the most in Phillies history, and the only other N.L. second basemen to draw more All-Star starts are Utley's manager Ryne Sandberg (9) and fellow Hall of Famer Joe Morgan (7). Utley is batting .293 on the season with six home runs, 37 RBI, 24 doubles and 45 runs scored. Utley, who picked up his 1,500^th career hit on Sunday against Atlanta, leads all N.L. second basemen in doubles and is tied for first with 33 extra-base hits. 

Goldschmidt has accumulated 2,582,955 votes, and he is followed at first base by Milwaukee's Mark Reynolds (1,430,395). Goldschmidt, who earned his first All-Star selection in 2013, would become the first D-backs first baseman, and just the fourth player in franchise history, to earn a fan election. The other three to do so were second baseman Jay Bell (1999), third baseman Matt Williams (1999) and outfielder Luis Gonzalez (2001). Goldschmidt is tied for first in the N.L. with 28 doubles and 43 extra-base hits, ranks second with 59 runs scored, third with 53 RBI, a .529 slugging percentage and 166 total bases, is tied for fourth with 47 walks, tied for seventh with 15 home runs, tied for eighth with 27 multi-hit games, and places ninth with 93 hits and a .387 on-base percentage.

With seven different teams currently represented among the eight leaders, this would mark the eighth time since fan balloting began in 1970 that the N.L. could have as many as seven different teams represented among the starting position players. The other years in which this has occurred include 1971, 1984, 1995, 1996, 1998, 1999 and 2010. The N.L. has never had eight different teams represented among the eight positional leaders.

MLB's All-Star Balloting Program is the largest of its kind in professional sports. The last two years represent the two highest totals in balloting history, including a record 40.2 million ballots cast in 2012. More than 20 million Firestone All-Star ballots were distributed at MLB's 30 ballparks, each of which had 23 dates for balloting. 

In addition, fans around the world can cast their votes for starters 25 times exclusively at MLB.com and all 30 Club web sites - online or via their mobile devices - with the 2014 All-Star Game MLB.com Ballot Sponsored by Experian. The All-Star Game MLB.com Ballot Sponsored by Experian is available in English and Spanish, and offers audio CAPTCHA functionality for visually-impaired fans. Banco BHD sponsors online All-Star balloting in the Dominican Republic, making Spanish-language ballots available to fans in the Dominican Republic via LasMayores.com, the official Spanish-language Web site of Major League Baseball.

Every Major League Club began its in-stadium balloting no later than May 12^th. When the in-stadium phase of balloting concluded no later than June 26^th, fans continued to have the opportunity to cast their ballots exclusively online at MLB.com, the 30 Club Web sites and their mobile devices until Thursday, July 3^rd at 11:59 p.m. (EDT).

Firestone, the official tire of MLB, was once again the exclusive sponsor of the 2014 In-Stadium All-Star Balloting Program. The ballot featured an All-Star sweepstakes, in which a winner will be rewarded with a trip for two to MLB All-Star Week, including airfare, hotel accommodations, tickets to the All-Star Game and other MLB All-Star Week events, and VIP on-field access to watch batting practice before the All-Star Game with an MLB legend.

For the sixth consecutive year, the ballot features the Home Run Derby Fan Poll. Fans have the opportunity to select three players in each League who they would most like to see participate in the Gillette Home Run Derby. The Fan Poll is also available online at MLB.com. The 2014 Gillette Home Run Derby, part of Gatorade All-Star Workout Day, will be broadcast live on ESPN, ESPN HD, ESPN Deportes and ESPN Radio in the United States beginning at 8:00 p.m. (ET)/7:00 p.m. (CT) on Monday, July 14^th. The 10 American League candidates are Jose Bautista of the Toronto Blue Jays; Carlos Beltran of the New York Yankees; Miguel Cabrera of the Detroit Tigers; Robinson Cano of the Seattle Mariners; 2013 Home Run Derby Champion Yoenis Cespedes of the Oakland Athletics; Chris Davis of the Baltimore Orioles; Prince Fielder of the Texas Rangers; All-Star Ambassador Joe Mauer of the Twins; David Ortiz of the Boston Red Sox; and Mike Trout of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. The 10 National League candidates are Pedro Alvarez of the Pittsburgh Pirates; Jay Bruce of the Cincinnati Reds; Paul Goldschmidt of the Arizona Diamondbacks; Bryce Harper of the Washington Nationals; Jason Heyward of the Atlanta Braves; Buster Posey of the San Francisco Giants; Yasiel Puig of the Los Angeles Dodgers; Giancarlo Stanton of the Miami Marlins; Troy Tulowitzki of the Colorado Rockies; and David Wright of the New York Mets.

The 2014 American League and National League All-Star Teams will be unveiled on the "Taco Bell™ All-Star Selection Show" on ESPN at 7:00 p.m. (ET)/6:00 p.m. (CT) on Sunday, July 6^th.   The A.L. All-Star Team will have nine elected starters via the fan balloting program, while the N.L. All-Star Team will have eight fan-elected starters. The pitchers and reserves for both squads - totaling 25 for the N.L. and 24 for the A.L. - will be determined through a combination of "Player Ballot" choices and selections made by the two All-Star managers - N.L. skipper Mike Matheny of the St. Louis Cardinals and A.L. manager John Farrell of the defending World Series Champion Boston Red Sox.

Immediately following the announcement of the American League and National League All-Star rosters, fans will begin voting to select the final player for each League's 34-man roster via the 2014 All-Star Game MLB.com Final Vote Sponsored by Experian. Fans will cast their votes from a list of five players from each League over the balloting period. Now in its 13^th season with more than 430 million votes cast, fans again will be able to make their Final Vote selections on MLB.com, Club sites and their mobile phones.

This year's final phase of All-Star Game voting again will have fans participating in the official voting for the Ted Williams All-Star Game Most Valuable Player Award presented by Chevrolet. During the Midsummer Classic, fans will vote exclusively online at MLB.com and the 30 Club sites via the 2014 All-Star Game MLB.com MVP Vote Sponsored by Pepsi, and their collective voice will represent 20 percent of the official vote determining this year's recipient of the Arch Ward Trophy. 

The 2014 All-Star Game will be played at Target Field on Tuesday, July 15^th. The 85^th All-Star Game will be televised nationally by FOX Sports; 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 exclusive national radio coverage of the All-Star Game. MLB Network, MLB.com and Sirius XM also will provide comprehensive All-Star Week coverage. For more information, please visit allstargame.com.

2014 NATIONAL LEAGUE ALL-STAR BALLOTING UPDATE #6

Tuesday, July 1^st