TORONTO -- To become an All-Star for the second straight season, Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts will need the support of his fans.
• Cast your Esurance Final Vote for Bogaerts
Bogaerts is one of five players on the American League ballot for the 2017 Esurance MLB All-Star Game Final Vote, which was unveiled on Sunday night. Bogaerts was voted by the fans as the starting shortstop for the AL last season. He was also a Final Vote candidate in 2015 but finished fourth. Voting ends at 4 p.m. ET on Thursday. Fans can show their support for Bogaerts by tweeting with #VoteX, and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET on Thursday, any tweet that includes #VoteX will count toward his vote total.
"Hopefully this year I can make it again because it was a lot of fun with the guys last year," Bogaerts said.
The 24-year-old with the sweet swing from the right side is having an All-Star-caliber season, slashing .314/.366/.455 with five homers, 39 RBIs and nine stolen bases. He has also played strong defense from the vital position of shortstop.
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"I mean, I've been there before so we'll see what happens this year," said Bogaerts. "In the end, it's good to have another chance. There are a lot of guys on that list. May the best one win."
If Bogaerts is successful in getting selected via the Final Vote, he would join teammates Mookie Betts, Chris Sale and Craig Kimbrel as All-Stars in Miami.
"The more guys the better, obviously. He's very deserving," Sale said of Bogaerts. "He's been unbelievable in the field and hits darn near .350, so we'll pulling for him, and hopefully he gets through. Any time you can take as many teammates as you can and enjoy it with them, that's what it's about."
Bogaerts is part of a strong group of dazzling young shortstops in the AL that also includes All-Stars Carlos Correa (Astros) and Francisco Lindor (Indians).
"Yeah, it would be great if the fans supported him, and deservedly so," said Red Sox manager John Farrell. "It's a bumper crop at the position, we know."
Two other talented shortstops join Bogaerts on the Final Vote in Elvis Andrus (Rangers) and Didi Gregorius (Yankees). The two others on the ballot are Royals third baseman Mike Moustakas and Rays first baseman Logan Morrison.
"Yeah, any time I can go with kind of like my big brother, that would be great," said Betts. "He's had a great year. He's done everything right and everything well. I want him to come."
Bogaerts was a late scratch for Sunday's 15-1 win over the Blue Jays with tightness in his left groin, but he should return within the next couple of days.
Fans can cast ballots for the 2017 Esurance MLB All-Star Game Final Vote on MLB.com, Club sites and their mobile devices until 4 p.m. ET on Thursday. The winners, as chosen exclusively by online fan voting totals, will then be announced during "MLB Tonight" live on MLB Network and MLB.com at 6 p.m. Extensive coverage throughout the Final Vote will be provided by MLB Network and MLB.com, including interviews with the candidates, frequent updates, heat maps indicating where votes are being cast for each candidate, news on player and club campaigns, and a running countdown clock leading up to the announcement.
Now in its 16th season, with more than 680 million votes cast, the Final Vote again will include social votes on the last day of balloting, as Twitter support for the 10 candidates over the final six hours of balloting will count toward their vote totals. From 10 a.m.-4 p.m. ET on Thursday, any tweet that includes a designated player hashtag will be tabulated as part of the official vote total used to determine the winners.
On Tuesday, July 11 at 7:30 p.m. ET, tune in to the 2017 All-Star Game presented by Mastercard 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 2017 MLB All-Star Game MVP Vote. The 88th All-Star Game, in Miami, 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, MLB Network and SiriusXM will also provide comprehensive All-Star Week coverage. For more information, please visit allstargame.com.