Wright third at hot corner in NL All-Star Game voting
NEW YORK -- Once again, David Wright has some work to do if he wants to start another All-Star Game at third base.
Wright ranks third among National League third basemen in Major League Baseball's first update of balloting, released Wednesday. This time, San Francisco's Pablo Sandoval is not his primary problem, but Colorado's Nolan Arenado and Milwaukee's Aramis Ramirez.
With 278,840 votes, Wright trails Arenado by 39,271 votes. Sandoval, who beat Wright in fan voting two years ago, but lost to him last summer, lurks in fourth. Wright has been hitting for a typically high batting average this season, but his power and walk numbers are significantly down.
Fans can cast their votes for starters at MLB.com and all 30 club sites -- online or on a mobile device -- using the 2014 All-Star Game MLB.com Ballot Sponsored by Experian until Thursday, July 3, at 11:59 p.m. ET. The 2014 All-Star Game will take place at Target Field on Tuesday, July 15.
Fans may submit up to 25 online ballots, but they can also earn a one-time bonus of 10 additional online ballots. To access these additional online ballots, you must be logged into your MLB.com account when you submit any online ballot. If you do not have an MLB.com account, register on the site in accordance with the enrollment instructions for a free MLB.com account.
The 2014 All-Star teams will be unveiled on the 2014 MLB All-Star Game Selection Show during the weekend of July 5-6, with further details to follow on MLB.com. The AL will have nine elected starters via the fan balloting program, while the NL will have eight fan-elected starters. Pitchers and reserves for both squads -- totaling 25 for the NL and 24 for the AL -- will be determined through a combination of "Player Ballot" choices and selections made by All-Star managers Mike Matheny (NL) and John Farrell (AL).
Immediately following the announcement of the rosters, you can select the final player for each league's 34-man roster via the 2014 All-Star Game MLB.com Final Vote Sponsored by Experian. Choose again at that point from among five players in each league. The Final Vote returns for its 13th season with more than 430 million votes cast to date, and you'll be able to make selections on MLB.com, club sites and your mobile device.
You'll be on a voting tear at that point, having already selected starters and the last men, and the ritual will not end there. The final phase of All-Star Game voting will again have fans participating in the voting for the Ted Williams All-Star Game Most Valuable Player Award presented by Chevrolet. During the big game, vote exclusively online at MLB.com via the 2014 All-Star Game MLB.com MVP Vote Sponsored by Pepsi. The fan voice will represent 20 percent of the overall vote that determines the recipient of the Arch Ward Trophy.
MLB.com will provide extensive online coverage of the All-Star Week festivities.
The 85th 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.
Wright is looking to appear in his eighth career All-Star Game and third in three years, after making last year's team alongside starting pitcher Matt Harvey at Citi Field. The Mets are looking not only to send him there, but to give him some company in Minneapolis.
Second baseman Daniel Murphy has a strong case for the team given his hot offensive start, but he is not in the top five in voting at his position. Outside of Wright, the Mets have no infielders in the top five at their positions and no outfielders in the top 15. But New York's strength has been starting pitching, and fans do not vote on pitchers.